One thing I will say about the PSP is that it has driving games down to a tee! Looking at the list of games available, a third seem to be set behind the wheel. This means that those looking to purchase just one driving game may be in for a lot of head scratching and mulling over of pluses and minuses. Since its release, the clear winner has been launch game Ridge Racer [I know some Wipeout Pure fans who would argue that point! Ed]. However, for those looking for much more than just racing, I'm going to submit Gripshift for your consideration.

This is a wonderfully addictive game. More a series of puzzles than a racer, it is very tricky to confine Gripshift to just one genre, simply because there is so much on offer. The races all take place on floating tracks, reminiscent (and no, I don't mean a rip off!) of Rainbow Road from Mario Kart: Double Dash. You might think that after two or three tracks of this you will start to tire of it, but this simply doesn't happen. Throughout the game, whichever way you play it, your heart will be in your mouth through the tension of keeping your vehicle on the track! This is a difficult feat and you will spend much time unintentionally flying off into space. Here is where the game really gets fun - if you have the chance, you can fire off some nitro in an attempt to push yourself to a safe landing spot. Granted this might not work, but at least it adds a nice dimension, being given a chance to escape your doom. As this will happen often, it''s great that Gripshift is also blessed with super fast loading times.

The tracks themselves are basic, but that doesn't mean they don't look great. Though they all have the same 'fall off the edge' danger, this is forgotten once you get used to the controls. These tracks play like a rich kid's Scalextrix set; your route loops and twists around like crazy, and it's taken to such extremes, with the loops seemingly stretching up for miles and then all of a sudden, you come to a dead end! It's at this point that the puzzle element kicks in - you have a few seconds to figure out exactly what you have to do. You may need to use your nitro to boost yourself to a level further away, or you may have simply missed a turning. While most levels follow the usual race structure, some require you to bounce from one platform to another, like some kind of pinball table. These moments become so surreal at times that you feel like the creators were seeing just how far they could push it; at one point, an obstacle that you must avoid, which you come face to face with, is an elephant!! This brings an unpredictable edge to game, as you're never sure what it'll throw at you next. Later levels incorporate warp tunnels that spring you to various points in the race, although it should be warned that this can sometimes be a trick, transferring you back to the beginning of the level, like some cruel Snakes and Ladders game.

The graphics are perfect; there is not one negative aspect to them at any level. So much work has been put into Gripshift's creation that you wonder why all PSP… no scratch that… why all games aren't lavished with this amount of effort and consideration. The backgrounds are all very well presented; despite the fact that due to the fast-paced nature of the game you will never be able to really see them, they are still created with a tremendous amount of care. If you do stop to take in the view, you will see environments filled with dinosaurs, mountains, elephants and other wondrously detailed surroundings. It's this attention to detail that makes the game stand out from the crowd. Sure, they didn't have to do any of it and it doesn't add a whole lot to the gameplay, but it does really enhance the overall ambience and visual style, and the fact that the backgrounds have been so lovingly crafted makes you appreciate both the game and the developers. They could have had simply set each level in a sky with clouds, but instead they decided to put 100% into every aspect of the game, and it pays off very well.

The controls are similar to Ridge Racer and the simple weapons available means that deploying them is just a case of firing the missile, activating the shield or dropping the dynamite. Yes, Mario Kart and Crash Tag Team Racing can be more inventive, but really, when six different items do the same thing, what is the point? The nitro element is wonderfully implemented and because it's a meter you fill up by picking up nitro bottles as you drive, you can race at top speed until it runs out. This is a great breakaway from the 'one chance' feel of Mario Kart or Ridge Racer. It should be noted that using nitro makes the vehicle more difficult to control - at times you will need the skills and instinct of a Jedi Master, as one wrong move can lead to you over-jumping a track or flying right off the track altogether.

The game is divided into a number of sections - Challenge Mode, Race, Bonus Games and Multiplayer Mode. The first of these, Challenge Mode, is played over six difficulty levels. Each section consists of a number of levels that increase in number the harder it gets. I would be lying if I said this was easy - the final level isn't called 'Insane' for nothing! These challenges can be simple time trials or they might involve finding a number of goals before you reach the finish. Each level also includes bonus goals, such as collecting all the stars, medals for certain track times and hunting for other icons within the level. Because of this, every level is highly replayable, even if you've already completed it.

Race mode is split over four different sections. Single race and Practice allows you to race all the tracks that are currently unlocked, the number of which increases as you play through the Championship Mode and increase your credits collected. Time Challenge is similar to the medals section of Challenge Mode and helps you to perfect your use of nitro and braking, as you complete the track in the fastest time you can manage. Championship Mode consists of a number of races, with you up against four others for first place.

This is the only area where the game falls down (momentarily), as you are only able to use tracks and levels unlocked by playing the Challenge Mode. Those who aren't very good at the game may find it frustrating that they can't play a lot until a good 60% of the game's bonuses have been completed. Bonus games, videos and artwork are also unlocked as you go, including a fun version of Penguin Bowling, which could almost be made into a full game in itself! Because of these bonus elements, it's safe to say that this game is huge, with the most longevity I have experienced for a long time. (And I haven't even mentioned the multiplayer modes yet!)

Gripshift throws almost everything in for multiplayer use, for up to four players. Options include Single Races, Championships and Bonus games. Because so much has been included, a group of friends can play for just as long as you can on your own, and this dramatically increases the longevity even more. Also included is a Track Creator, which allows you to build your own tracks and share them with others, meaning that even if you do somehow get bored of the tracks on offer, you can create brand new ones. As with Lemmings, this is a great but ultimately flawed idea, as it is difficult to create a playable track and it takes some time to master the mode. Still, it all helps put the lifespan of the game through the roof and into the stratosphere!

Only six cars are available, but as you will spend a long time playing with only one, this is not the minus that it would be in other racing games. In all honesty, when a game uses vehicle range as a plus point, it usually just means that the game is so short that you need the extra vehicles to make it seem worthwhile. (Yes, I'm looking at you Mario!) Also, each car is perfectly created and doesn't just rip off Mario Kart (Yes, I'm looking at you Crash Bandicoot!) The characters are not important, simply serving as a face when you win at the podium or to comment when you win or lose. Thankfully, a genius decided not to have a commentary over the races, but rather just a few words of encouragement or discouragement from your driver, as seen in Ridge Racer. The sound is great, apart from the music, which is some kind of psychedelic Japanese composition, but this is easily solved with the options and I am so glad this is a straightforward process. (This is how it's done, Monster Trucks DS people!)

Gripshift usurps Ridge Racer as the PSP's greatest racer. In terms of fun, longevity and value for money, it even beats Mario Kart DS into submission - and that's really saying something! There's so much to recommend about Gripshift, and no real drawbacks, making it an absolute must have for every PSP owner, and indeed one of the strongest reasons to take the plunge and purchase Sony's sleek handheld wonder.

Reviewed by David Simpson for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).