Project Gotham Racing 3

Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations $49.99

A balance between realistic racing (e.g., Gran Turismo) and cartoonlike party games (e.g., Mario Kart) makes PGR3 as playable as it is challenging. Race to beat the clock or other drivers (two players on one system or up to eight online), or rack up “kudos” points by hitting those curves just right. The rich environments of New York City, Las Vegas, Tokyo, and London showcase the Xbox 360’s graphics-processing power. There are countless cars to drive and the soundtrack is expansive, but PGR3 could use one or two more courses. Consider the bar set very high for next-generation racing games.

This article appears in December 23 • 2005.

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James graduated from Columbia University in 2000 and moved to Austin a year later. Ever since, he has followed the arts and video game scene in ATX, editing and writing stories for the Chronicle along the way. Over his more than 20 years with the paper he has climbed the "corporate" ladder from lowly intern to managing editor.