Hydro Thunder Hurricane

It's hardly one of the best games on the Xbox Live Arcade, but it might be one of the strongest in terms of providing an actual "arcade" experience without the need for quarters.

Coming straight from the '90, Hurricane successfully replicates the gameplay of the first episode, coming up with an arcade game that is not really common nowadays. Not for everyone, but if you are missing the old good coin-op days, this could be a nice choice.

Very variegated tracks, many play modes and a good selection of boats make Hydro Thunder a good game, thanks to the online multiplayer too.

Vector Unit has certainly succeeded in its mandate of "big games in small packages" with Hydro Thunder Hurricane, and for that alone it's hard not to recommend. Despite its shortcomings Hydro Thunder Hurricane is ultimately a fun game to play and a worthy XBLA purchase.

The two multiplayer modes - a straight race between eight players online, and Rubber Ducky, in which two teams try to nose their rubber duck past a threshold before their opponents - provide a good balance of competition and playfulness.

Fast, cool and furious. Hydro Thunder is good fun for a couple of hours, especially if you play it with a bunch of friends, either online or offline. But there really should be more meet to the game, don't expect Hydro Thunder Hurricane to last past the summer.

With only eight courses and a handful of ships per class, the real problem with Hurricane stems from the fact that you'll have seen everything the game has to offer in an afternoon. It's the gaming equivalent of having a bag of Haribo to yourself – it's colourful, enjoyable and great while it lasts, but before you know it there's nothing left, and you're left feeling a little bit empty inside.

Not much has changed with the gameplay in the 11 years between games, but it does stay true to its arcadey racer roots that provides fun for everyone.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a very decent arcade game but will only hold you in its grasp for a few hours. It's a fun game and a great tribute to the original game that appeared on the SEGA DreamCast.

Only those who'll pick up on its knowing secret collection voiceover need apply. [Issue#63, p.101]

At first this seems like a perfectly suited title for XBLA. But despite a great first impression, a well crafted cooperative mode and attractive presentation you'll find some cracks in the facade after a few hours. Too few levels and a somewhat lacking sense of speed dampens what is otherwise one of the very best racing titles on XBLA.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane compensates for the simple and fun approach. This is a title capable of providing a sense of freshness, very useful these days.

If you're looking for a fun arcade-style racer that you don't have to plop a disc into your machine to play, Hydro Thunder Hurricane is definitely a more than worthy candidate.

Old school arcade racer updated for the HD-generation, apart from the fact that this doesn´t feel HD at all. The racing is good fun and the track-layout great, but Hydro Thunder Hurricane never loses the feeling of being a cheap arcade game, and at 1200 MS Points it unfortunately isn´t.

Big dumb fun doesn't have to be quiet this witless, but this is still a fairly competent arcade update.

A decent game that can provide hours of fun, but there are better offerings and its price tag might be a bit too high.

Not the game we were hoping for, maybe a full release in the future will help this series gain back what it lost here.