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So you fancy driving not one, but two of the flashiest sports cars available today, do you? Eh? Well, unless you're an extremely lucky journalist invited up to Norwich to visit the Lotus test track, you'll just have to make do with this game.

Based around the Lotus Turbo Esprit and the Lotus Elan, this cart enables you to drive through eight different levels up against a strict time limit. The idea isn't to come first, as you expect from a race game. Instead you just have to keep one step (or second) ahead of the time limit and reach the final checkpoint.

The Lotus authorities haven't made it easy though. Standing between you and victory are fleets of other Lotus cars anxious to claim the prize, along with massive roadside obstacbles just dying for you to crash into them. Adding to the misery are the different weather conditions that affect your driving. Look out for fog, rain and snow. Perhaps then you'd like to drive on a desert, or in two-way interstate traffic or even in the middle of the night! Whatever your driving nightmare, it's here in Lotus Turbo Challenge and then some.

This game was originally released on the Amiga as Lotus II, it being the sequel to Lotus Turbo Esprit Challenge!

Burn up the 3D motorways to reach the next checkpoint and beat the crushing time limits!

1. Interstate Tomfoolery
   Here, you've got even more in the way of problems than usual. As well as dealing with the cars going in the same direction as you, you also have to deal with an extra carriageway of traffic travelling in the opposite direction!
2. Desert Strike
   At the desert stages of the game, the Lotus' handling is tested to its limits as you power through miles of sand-related territory. Actually, this is quite a simple terrain. Just keep on the road to avoid the sand!
3. Fog Frenzy
   Visibiity is extremely limited on this fog level, meaning that powering into the corners is made very difficult, because you haven't much warning of when they'll turn up! Luckily, you can still see cars from quite a distance.
4. Snowy Shenanigan
   The snow level is a real test of your driving skills as the terrain tends to send you sliding off the road. The biggest problem here is that you tend to oversteer. Be careful!
5. Marsh-Mallow
   One of the most difficult levels of the game. The road is surrounded by marshland, and occasionally the road dips underwater! Look out for those jumps!
6. Night Rider
   It's time to turn on those headlights as you enter the night race of Lotus Turbo Challenge. As far as gameplay goes, this level plays very similarly to the fog level of the game. Essentially, visibility is limited, making up-coming corners very difficult to spot. Ouch.

A single screen is used to depict the one-player version of the game. In two-player mode, the screen splits and players can race one another!

In Lotus Turbo Challenge, you're able to choose between a manual or automatic gearbox. The auto transmission lets you concentrate on your driving while the computer takes control of the gear shift. Using the manual option, you should be able to better the autoshift's acceleration.

Lotus Turbo Challenge can be played with either one or two players. In the latter mode, the screen is split, with each player's antics occupying a mini-screen. Unbelievably, the action doesn't slow down at all, even at top speed with loads of other cars on-screen!

The graphics are a bit rough around the edges and the sound certainly isn't the greatest, but Lotus Turbo Challenge certainly dishes up plenty of high-speed thrills and spills with its superb playability. It's fun and fairly challenging with one player, with plenty of different, very varied courses, but it really comes into its own with two players.

There's plenty of potential for panel-bashing, cutting up and tailgating - my favourite tactic is letting someone get up close behind me before slamming on the brakes - I zoom forward while my opponent gets left behind. Wheee!

And like all really good two-player games it doesn't get boring. The thrill is in the race with the other player and not necessarily beating the game, and because of this, Lotus Turbo Challenge offers months and months of highly enjoyable and addictive racing mayhem. It mightn't have the all-round brilliance and superlative single-player action of Road Rash II, but I think its two-player mode is better - so buy Lotus if you've got lots of mates to race and Road Rash II if you're a solo speed psycho.

I definitely agree with Jaz on this one. Lotus Turbo Challenge isn't half as pretty as, say, Road Rash, and the sound is very sad indeed. However, it's gameplay that is all-important and, in this department, Lotus scores very highly.

In one-player mode, it's a great laugh and extremely challenging. The two-player mode makes the game all the better. Not only are you racing against an unpredictable opponent, you're also up against some near-impossible time limits too - excitement guaranteed!

Jaz and I spent loads of time working our way through the levels and really enjoyed every minute of it. I think that some of that excitement is lacking in the one-player mode, so if you're a solo player try out Road Rash II or Super Monaco GP II before checking this out. If you're got a mate who's willing to play, definitely buy Lotus Turbo Challenge.

Presentation 88%
P. A password feature and some pretty screens help liven up the game no end...
N. But there is not much in the way of options to change in-game parameters.

Graphics 79%
P. The graphics are animated pretty well and the 3D update is for the most part, quite convincing.
N. The sprites look a tad ropey and the backdrops seem quite blocky for the Megadrive.

Sound 65%
N. Oo-er. The sound in Lotus Turbo Challenge is quite poor indeed. The speech is a bit sad, the music barely acceptable and the sound effects lacklustre.

Playability 88%
P. Brilliant, challenging fun in one-player mode which is heightened when playing the game with the simultaneous two-player mode.

Lastability 81%
P. The two-player mode keeps you coming back again and again for a bash, even months after purchase.
N. Unfortunately, there are that many tracks which might affect lastability for solo players.

Overall 84%
Lotus Turbo Challenge is an excellent road racer, packed with high-speed japery and is particularly fun with two players at the controls.