When it comes to realistic racing games, GameCube owners don't really have much to choose from besides Need For Speed: Underground. With two huge racing game series, Gran Tourismo and Project Gotham Racing, PS2 and Xbox exclusives, R: Racing Evolution is pretty much an average choice at best, and that's not really good nor bad thing.

R: Racing Evolution is good in the sense that the game is a functional racer, the controls are simple, it adds a few interesting gameplay elements, and the learning curve is not really severe since the interface is semi-arcade like. Not to mention it has a little sexy edge to it (if that is some people's taste).

That could also be a problem for some fans looking for more of a realistic and deep racer. Just to state the obvious, this is not the next Gran Turismo or Project Gotham Racing. It's not even close. But if people that only have a GameCube are desperate for a somewhat realistic racer, read on for a more in-depth look at this title.

Visually, the game is not amazing or inspired. The game does run at a smooth 60 frames per second, and the car models do look decent. But other than that, the looks of the game are nothing outstanding. The tracks look pretty much the same with the exceptions of minor differences. The real graphical standout in this game is the cut scenes, which are well done, and since Namco is the developer of this game you can expect the quality to be high -- almost as good as Soul Calibur II. Of course, those that have progressive scan televisions can take advantage of it in R: Racing Evolution.

The sound of the game is also somewhat average. The engine sounds are what is expected in a racer, and since I am not a car expert I wouldn't know if the engine sounds are totally different from each other. The soundtrack is sort of an acquired taste. If you like upbeat J-pop and techno, it's alright. If not then maybe turning the sound off is a good idea. But the most annoying part is the pit crew leader barking orders at players. Alone this doesn't become very bothersome, but it actually distracts players while racing.

The gameplay is somewhat better. There are several different modes to race in. Story mode, which is "racing life", lets gamers play as an ambulance driver turned would-be racing diva Rena Hayami. The player guides Rena towards her rise to stardom racing for the G.V.I. and faces off with her main rival from Team Riccardi, Gina Cavalli. Both will face off many times through out various standard and drag races for first place.

Other modes in the game are fairly standard. Event Challenge lets players buy various other modes such as single race, time trial and other modes. Arcade mode lets racers play against computer racers on a selected track. Time attack is where players race against a ghost to improve their time on the track. Vs. mode is where players can race against a friend on a track for either first place or for points. Finally, in the garage, players can look at all of the cars they have and replays from past races.