Whether it be on the street, in the water, or in the air, cartoon-based cart racing has been seen as an oddball genre.  On one hand, racing fans may pass these games up as cheap attempts to satisfy their fast-and-furious cravings.  On the other end of the spectrum, gamers who enjoy the wacky-tacky genre, made famous by DIDDY KONG RACING, may think of racing as repetitious and boring.  Fortunately, FREAKY FLYERS will attract some fans of both with its fun game play and creative concept.

FREAKY FLYERS is a zany racing title that puts you in the cockpit with crazy characters with their own abilities and story.  Using different planes, in-depth maps, and a wide array of weapons at your disposal, it’s hard to get bored (especially while playing with a friend with the tendency to break down in tears every time they lose). 

Among some of the more…umm…favorable characters include Traci Torpedoes from Germany and Cactus Rose from Mexico.  One thing that gamers will like is how distinct the characters really are.  With their own specialized controls and pros and cons, each one offers new opportunities in winning races and better yet, destroying your opponents.

Visually, the game is filled with beautiful characters, detailed maps, and weapon effects.  Unfortunately, like most non-proprietary software, the XBOX version tramples the PS2 version in the dust.  That’s not saying that the PS2 doesn’t do a good job in managing the cartoon-esque graphics the game will be made famous for.  Cut scenes bring another positive addition to the game, where you get to know a little about your chosen character and what he/she/it stands for.  Some of them are amazingly shallow.  Just like the other versions, player graphics can be hard to appreciate fully because of the viewing distance away from the plane.  Looking at the back of an oversized head reminded me of going to the movie theater and sitting behind an old woman with a ‘fro.

The graphics are a perfect match to the hilarious voices of the characters and announcer as well as a funny soundtrack to appeal to cartoon fans.  You may find yourself playing with all different characters in a single day, just to see and hear the humorous cut scenes.

The courses that you will fly in range from a busy down-town city to a snowy mountain climate.  The tracks are a welcoming addition to the crazy characters and weapons, offering their own challenges.  Fighting through obstacles of swinging axes, falling trees and debris, and a variety of other setbacks can be fun as well as aggravating.

However, even with all these cool features, FREAKY FLYERS still has some major downsides.  In all racing games, speed and acceleration is key.  Especially when in a plane, speeds should dramatically increase.  It felt more like I was racing in a tugboat than in a fast-flying aircraft.  Also, though the game’s graphics are innovative, I couldn’t help feel as if I had played this game before.  Maybe its just the fact that if you have played one cart-race game, you’ve virtually played them all.  Whatever the case, blowing up enemies, flying high above the crowd, and trying to advance just isn’t enough.  Overall, the game does feel like there is something missing.

There are two ways of judging FREAKY FLYERS.  Comparing it to other cart-racing games, it is definitely one of the most fun-filled experiences you can find in that particular genre.  But basing it solely on it’s value in the game industry, renting it just makes more sense.

Gameplay: 7.2
It's an extremely fun game that fans of both cart-racing and wacky adventures will come to embrace.  However, it may feel a tad incomplete to some.

Graphics:  7.6
It's like watching an interactive cartoon.  The cinematics are entertaining enough without the flying.  But if you have an XBOX, I recommend the version that really enhances the capabilities the game's visuals can bring.

Sound: 8.0
One of the best traits this game has is sound.  The characters are colorful, the narrator keeps you laughing, and the music works well with each course.

Difficulty: Medium
It's easier to win the race than use the weapons, that should say something.

Concept: 7.6 
Take to the skies with FREAKY FLYERS, choosing your favorite character and weapons while soaring through interactive tracks.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Racing games are always better when there is a loser close to you.  Fortunately, there is a competitive feel to the game that friends and siblings will come to love and hate.

Overall: 7.3
It's of the best cart-racers I have ever played.  However, depending on your preferences for the cart-racer genre, I recommend renting it first.