Starsky and Hutch PS2

As the games industry's penchant for retro TV spin-offs continues to grow, it seems fitting that one of the 1970's more fondly-remembered cop shows should eventually receive its video game makeover. Picture it... Location: some dodgy burger van on a sidewalk in Bay City. Two cool dudes are sitting in a tomato coloured Ford Gran Torino. There's a buzz on the CB - some wise guy is up to no good. Burger out of the window, magnetic siren slammed onto the roof, and it's time to hit the streets. That pretty much sums up every episode of Starsky & Hutch, so what about the game? Well, it's basically a mission-based, Driver-style game that places you at the wheel of the famous car. It recreates 15 square miles of Bay City and presents you with 18 episodes (levels) spread over three series. Each episode features its own crime-fighting mission and generally involves careering through busy streets, chasing baddies and shooting everything in sight. This includes not only cars and unsavoury characters, but an assortment of bonuses scattered around the streets that reward you with such extras as speed-ups, extra traction and new weapons. Accentuating the game's TV origins is what's known as the VR. This stands for Viewer Rating and basically means that you've got to keep the action coming and the thrill level high. Whenever there's the option to use a car transporter as a ramp, use it. See a corner? Power-slide round it. And boy oh boy, find yourself approaching an alleyway containing an unusually-large amount of cardboard boxes? You know what to do. As the daring duo always worked best as a team, it's fitting that the game should feature a two-player option, which enables one player to take care of the driving, whilst the other concentrates on the shooting. The more solitary gamers amongst you will be pleased to hear that throughout the game there's an AI Starsky who pops up during the action to give you advice and generally hurl abuse at the crims. Starsky & Hutch is an ideal way to relive those