Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Driver '76

EMAIL PRINTpsp

9.1 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 28 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Sumo Digital - Reflections

Genre(s): Racing, Driving, Action

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: May 8, 2007

Summary

Faithful to the brand spirit, Driver '76 is an action driving game that features Hollywood-style car chases while also letting the player experience the open environment on foot. The game thrusts the player into the heart of the 1970s, through 27 missions divided into six main plots. Players can take side jobs, earning cash that can be used to modify their rides. Driver '76 also offers an extensive multiplayer mode and a host of mini-games ranging from street races to all out carnage in Destruction Derby mode. Prequel Storyline to Driver Parallel Lines – The year is 1976, two years before Driver Parallel Lines. Multiplayer Games and Downloadable Content – Games include Street Racing, Destruction Derby, Pink Slip Racing and Swap Meet. Also download new paintjobs to use on your collected vehicles in the garage. Experience Open Environments in Authentic 1970's New York – All the architecture, music, cars and clothes of the '70s. Spans New York from Jersey to Coney Island. Vehicle Modification System – Collect your favorite vehicles and complete side job missions to get the cash to modify your ride. High-Speed Hollywood Racing Action – High-speed car races and crashes. Go even faster by customizing your car with special parts. Authentic '70s Soundtrack – Immerse yourself in the '70s with classic songs from the decade. [Ubisoft]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: DRIV3R Driver Driver 2 Driver: Parallel Lines

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameFAQs

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Game Chronicles

Sure, Driver ’76 isn’t the end-all-be-all of PSP racing games, but you can’t help but have a fantastic time once you climb behind the wheel and explore one of the best handheld recreations of New York City.

Read Full Review >

Extreme Gamer

Vehicle customization in Driver 76 is a beautiful addition that gives it a slight edge over the notorious GTA, in the vehicle department.

Read Full Review >

PSM3 Magazine UK

It doesn't do too much to suggest it's anything more than a Costcutter GTA, but it's a fun nostalgia-soaked affair. [July 2007, p.80]

AtomicGamer

The limited amount of driving and action seems to go hand-in-hand with the slightly more conservative story, but it also drains some of the fun as well.

Read Full Review >

Edge Magazine

Unfortunately, creating such a smooth ride has resulted in a title you can race through in just under a single charge of the PSP battery. [July 2007, p.94]

Pocket Gamer UK

The Thrill Cam is a majestic moment in gaming but it's the rock-solid driving model that ensures great universal enjoyment, albeit marred by technical gremlins and misguided GTA aspirations.

Read Full Review >

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Despite a few technical glitches this is a solid back-to-basics effort with some extra bells and whistles and a load of groove. [July 2007, p.94]

VideoGamer

Compared to GTA, Driver 76 is something that seems a little shallow and ordinary, but judging it as a game in its own right, and only drawing parallels with the best of the Driver series, it is a fairly decent chunk of big-screen cool, crow-barred nicely into the sleek internal organs of the PSP.

Read Full Review >

Games Master UK

You will be bored of doing the constant fetch and carry missions so that's why it's best played in small doses. [July 2007, p.68]

Play UK

Solid, but ultimately very repetitive and dull crime caper. [Issue#154, p.84]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

We can appreciate what Ubi has tried to do, but most of us have gotten over the novelty of the fact that the PSP is ‘a bit like a handheld PS2’ and are looking for a lot more substance and enjoyablity in our games, no matter how many dozens of cars and miles of road have been packed onto the UMD.

Read Full Review >

G4 TV

Driver ’76 offers a number of fun missions playable through an entertaining driving engine that will make you want to set up some heavy duty police chases and go tearing through the city. Unfortunately the miniscule police presence really puts a damper on the fun, and the tired out graphics engine just can’t cope.

Read Full Review >

TotalPlayStation

If not for the fact that the actual driving in Driver '76 is fairly decent, this would be a complete loss. Technical issues, excessive loading and a worthless storyline, however, mean the driving is the only thing that's decent.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Yes, it’s hard to ignore things like brain-dead police AI or a lack of fun things to do in this surprisingly massive city, but some of the missions are actually kind of fun and the story isn’t bad at all.

Read Full Review >

Games Radar (in-house)

Driver '76's brand of road rage does get more right than it does wrong, and though it might not offer the best combat action or racing excitement, it still deserves a look for its competent mix of the two.

Read Full Review >

GameDaily

It plays well, but instead of creating an innovative product, developer Sumo Digital followed the Grand Theft Auto template, relying on a list of familiar and boring jobs including escort and carjacking missions. In addition, the game looks dated.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer

It's just that it hasn't really addressed the chief failing of Parallel Lines, which is that, as polished, and competent as it is, it still feels a bit like a soulless GTA clone.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Driver '76 is a GTA clone that's technically uneven and short on originality, personality, and content.

Read Full Review >

Playstation Official Magazine UK

This was sort of acceptable a couple of years ago, but with PSP now capable of tossing around gigantic, detailed cities, it looks a bit old-fashioned. [July 2007, p.108]

PSM Magazine

You're better off sticking with GTA. [Aug 2007, p.87]

WHAM! Gaming

It remains one in a long list of ‘me-toos’ in an already oversaturated market.

Read Full Review >

Game Informer

The best feature of Driver ’76 is definitely the retro soundtrack, featuring ‘70s musicians such as Funkadelic, Marvin Gaye, David Bowie, and Blonde. Also to its credit, Driver ‘76’s driving and shooting mechanics work well, however recycled and sterile the content may be.

Read Full Review >

AceGamez

Driver 76 is a disappointing title; the foolish cops, short story mode, long loading times and useless collectables all contribute to the downfall of the overall gameplay.

Read Full Review >

IGN

Idiotic police AI, an extremely short story mode, useless collectables, weak on-foot combat and appalling load times all conspire to make this the weakest installment in the franchise.

Read Full Review >

PALGN

Driver 76 is nothing more than another generic attempt at a free-roaming action game with very little in the way of redeeming features.

Read Full Review >

GamingExcellence

Driver is in need of a serious tune-up.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Age

Straightforward and incredibly short story mode, repetitive and eventually boring missions, meaningless extras and customization, and no real innovation make Driver '76 a mildly unsatisfying experience.

Read Full Review >

1UP

When you start seeing the same character model serve as two different people during an in-game cut-scene, you'll truly know all is lost. There's nothing remotely unique or engaging about Driver '76 (or its lifeless multiplayer) to balance the endless parade of frustrations. Steer clear.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

sad maan gave it a10:
I like 70s and graphics and musics are fine. As a driver series lover i liked, finished, enjoyed. minuses collectables useless? a little short story line.

THUD UK gave it a9:
Superb, in my opinion better than GTA, If you like the GTA driving this is even better, handling is so much more realistic and each vehicle really does feel right, the damage is also very accurate, and you can watch behind you as bits fall off your car and crumple as they hit cars, road etc causing more damage, brilliantly realistic feel, the graphics are spot on and very varied as you drive through the city etc...Sound is also near perfect, love the 70's sounds really get you into the flow...all round a mix between GTA and Race driver with a bit of fun thrown in, this game will make you laugh... Highly recommended 9/10.

Richard D. gave it a9:
I wasn´t expecting that much, but I gotta say I love this GTA clone. What it lacks in innovation, it more than makes up for in vehicle controls, music, voice acting, graphics and mission design. Great fun. Give it a try. You won´t regret it!

Terry B. gave it a7:
This game wants to be vice city with a bigger lean towards driving. but the driving physics is just so-so. Cars crash and damage to easily and once a car flips, it is toast. Gameplay wise it is nothing new. If you just gotta have a fair gta clone to hold you over til GTA4 then play Vice City Stories. This one is just ok and that just isn't good enough.

Jdaz2 gave it a9:
Control's are spot on, 70's music is sweet and the game is fun to play. Its like the original driver, but finely tuned. Load times are lacking, but all psp games do that. The chases are fun and the cops are good but not great. One of the better PSP games to come out in the last few months.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Driver '76

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases