I got this game as a gift and I have had it over a year. The graphics are good even for today. The difficulty has 3 different modes (on Novice I can be up to 20 seconds ahead of second place, but when I got the game, 1st place was a treasured moment.). The sound is some of the best on a game ever and when i first listined to it I turned it up and everything else off. The controls are different than most games, since the Z button is used as the gas. But I think this is a better thing, because you have you thumb free to fire weapons, nitro, and change view. The tracks are great, and I wish there was more. Over all, this game is great and I not typing this for no reason. So take my advice and buy it. No game collection is complete without it.