Installation:
Fairly straightforward and easy but a bit too complicated for some users with choices of Typical, Full or Custom. Hard drives are not small enough anymore to need this many options for a game that installs (with “full” option) to take up just 280MB, are they?

After the installation routine, you click the icon to start playing and are presented with a video/graphics setup window. The first thing I noticed was how many options there were in the resolution dropdown (once you click the “display all available modes” checkbox). My widescreen monitor resolution of 1920×1200 is supported.

	Above: Resolution options for the game are limited. Left: Most modern PC’s can easily handle the additional graphics options made available when you click “advanced”.

Gameplay
Well for an adult, this game isn’t too interesting. It’s easy to win and it’s annoyingly easy to get stuck…

Getting stuck behind objects is just one of the annoyances to this title…

For kids, this is a fun game with quite a few options heading into a race. There really is nothing more to be said – and that’s not good!

Graphics
One of the first things I noticed was that in the menu system, some text runs off the page. This is probably due to my use of a widescreen monitor, I wouldn’t expect to see this issue on a 4:3 ratio. Overall the graphics are really nice, they are sharp, the models are good and the tracks are well represented.

Controllers
You are able to setup an interface device (like a steering wheel or joystick) to play the game, but I feel for this kind of game there is no advantage in terms of enjoyment or control in doing that. The keyboard controls function very well and are easily reached even by the smallest hands.

Sound
The audio is good enough, nothing more. It’s hard to see that this title is so new, because frankly it sounds about 10 years old… Music is pretty much what you would expect from this friendly arcade racer but I can’t help feeling like I am walking around a fashionable high street clothing store while I listen to it? The only adjustments available for the sound is the volume of the music and sound effects, this is done via the in-game menu.

Features: Saving the game
The game comes with a fantastic save game archive. There is plenty of room to save your games and those of all your friends and family. A nice touch is the autosave features, meaning even small children are able to race without worrying or even really needing to know how to save their progress.

Pros
Licensed Mini Cooper race cars.
Very nice graphics.
Multiple save areas along with automatic game saves, ideal for family play.

Mixed
Gameplay can go up or down with this one…

Cons
Not really that interesting.
The sound… Oh god, the sound…
Minor Issue: Text runs off the page on some menu areas when played using a widescreen monitor.

Official Screenshots