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Twisted Metal: Head-On

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8.9 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 45 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 21 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment America - Incog

Genre(s): Racing, Driving, Car Combat

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: March 15, 2005

Summary

Complete with all the fast-paced vehicular combat and destruction that gamers have come to know and love, Twisted Metal: Head-On allows gamers to take destruction anywhere, anytime as they strap themselves into one of 14 lethal machines on wheels, equipped with machine guns, turbo boost and a special attack, unique to each vehicle. Once a vehicle is selected, gamers can take their road rage out on opponents in 12 unworldly arenas filled with numerous items of chaos including rockets, missiles and more. In addition, multiplayer gameplay is available for to eight players through Wireless multiplayer connectivity. [SCEA]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: GameSpot Hands-On GameSpy Preview IGN Hands-On Official Game Site

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...

100

Into Liquid Sky

If you have ever been a fan of the Twisted Metal series, then getting this game is a no-brainer. It's easily one of the best in the series and gives fans pretty much everything they've wanted out of the series.

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PGNx Media

It doesn’t deviate far from the typical formula. It doesn’t really need to. With tight controls, impressive graphics, a multitude of arenas and vehicles, and online play, this game is easily recommendable.

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GameZone

Head-On is the first top-of-the-line multiplayer game designed for a handheld. It's vehicular combat at its finest. It's satisfying, but will leave you hungry for another bite.

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Next Level Gaming

Great graphics, solid and familiar TM game play, and Wi-Fi online. How can you ask for more than that? It's goold old fashioned mayhem at it's best!

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GameBiz

Just fun to play. Fans of the series will be more then satisfied and newcomers will be amazed at how addictive this game is.

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BonusStage

Seeing and playing this game makes me absolutely drool over the prospect of Incognito reviving other classics like "Warhawk," "Downhill Domination" and "War of the Monsters" on the PSP.

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PSX Extreme

It'll keep you entertained for hours and hours, and the multiplayer capabilities truly are an absolute blast. Head-On is completely faithful to the Twisted Metal namesake and does pretty much everything right.

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Game Informer

The single-player offering is incredibly fun, and the multiplayer bouts bring limitless depth and couldn't be much more contagious. [May 2005, p.128]

Gaming Target

The game takes the thrilling aspects of the finest title in the lineup, "Twisted Metal 2," shrinks it down onto the portable screen and adds some fantastic multiplayer modes to boot.

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Game Chronicles

For everyone else who has at least one friend with a PSP and a copy of the game, this is a must-own title that will keep you locked in the throes of classic auto-combat until you, your PSP, or you car runs out of gas.

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VGPub

The online multiplayer is truly a great thing for those who can be successful at it. Unfortunately for the others, it’ll require a good deal of practice and patience with the controls.

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GameSpot

A colorful cast of characters, a great presentation, exciting shooting action, and support for wireless multiplayer competition over the Internet combine to make this game one of the safest bets you can place when choosing your first PSP games.

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eToychest

The graphics are excellent, and it's a ton of fun to play through some of the best levels from "Twisted Metal 2" in online deathmatch.

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Worth Playing

Fans of Twisted Metal will be happy to know that the game lost almost nothing in the transition to the handheld platform, since it looks, feels, and plays just like a console iteration of the classic series.

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WHAM! Gaming

But even without taking the game online, the solo, co-op and head-to-head multiplayer modes are enough to satisfy even the most diehard fans of Sweet Tooth and his crew. For this one, at least, technology trumps originality. Hands down.

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PSM Magazine

The simple explanation for what makes this game rock is that it just plain looks, feels, and plays remarkably like its full-sized siblings. [May 2005, p.84]

Game Over Online

The only way you shouldn't get Twisted Metal: Head On is if you're deathly afraid of entertainment.

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Pelit (Finland)

One of the best games in the Twisted Metal series. Controls are a bit sluggish, but driving and shooting works well in short sessions. Net play is also well implemented. [Jan 2006]

G4 TV

Fast, fun, and incredibly playable, it’s an ideal portable game. It looks sharp, and the inclusion of free Internet play is just what the system needs.

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Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

1) Real players make the game 10 times more fun. 2) Deathmatching across the continent on your PSP makes you feel like you're from the future.

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Play Magazine

A burning hot game of TM that's every bit as cool as "Black," Head-On rocks from the outset. [May 2005, p.69]

Armchair Empire

It is still pretty stunning to me that I can lay on my couch with a wireless hand-held and play total strangers from across the globe.

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GameShark

It’s just plain fun.

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GamePro

Where as playing Head-On alone has its moments, playing with seven other Twisted friends via wireless connectivity is a blast. Blowing up each other with an onslaught of weaponry from steroid-induced wheels never grows tired. There is no slowdown, and the pace is just as quick as if you're playing the computer.

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DarkStation

One of the more downsides to the gameplay is the noticeably long load times. But this does not frustrate players much, as the levels do lasts for quite a while and they offer instant restarts.

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IGN

In spite of a lacking co-op mode, Twisted Metal: Head-On offers plenty of replay value and classic fun.

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1UP

If there's one thing you can say about Head On, it's that it certainly provides you with plenty of game to play.

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Cheat Code Central

With tons of replay value and excellent online play, Head-On is highly recommended for all gamers that want to exercise their right to pursue happiness in the form of destruction.

Modojo

It's the kind of thing you really need to see to believe, and once you do you'll notice that a crowd's formed behind you.

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Yahoo! Games

Sure, it may hit a few speedbumps along the way, but the multiplayer appeal can't be denied -- and thanks to the infrastructure support, you don't have to worry about finding local competitors.

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GamerFeed

It's fast, it's fun, and full of quirky dark humor, over-the-top violence, and honest-to-goodness car-rending amusement.

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GamingTrend

The storyline is the same one it has always been and the difficulty is obscene.

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Da Gameboyz

The portability of this title increases the fun factor up a few notches, not to mention the online aspect of the game.

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Gaming Age

Although this may not apply to every PSP owner out there, the WiFi modes, both local and over the internet, are incredibly fun and provide a near endless opportunity for new challenges.

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Game Revolution

The single-player component is fairly thin, and if you don't have access to a wireless internet connection, you're missing a significant part of the game. Still, it's truly unlike anything you’ve ever played before on a handheld, even if it's just like a game you played a decade ago on a console.

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Detroit Free Press

Watch out for the thumbstick here. I found it to be so touchy that I kept getting dizzy as my car turned and circled. Better to use the directional keypad.

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Gaming Nexus

If you like the Twisted Metal series, then Head On: Extra Twisted Edition is a no brainer. It’s a great remake with lots of cool extra content. That said, the gameplay is a bit shallow and outdated by today’s standards.

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Game Power Australia

Cruising round the same old streets may be starting to lose it's thrill, but taking this baby for a spin on the superhighway shows there's still some gas left in the tank.

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PALGN

Twisted Metal: Head On isn't anything new, but amongst all the driving games on the PSP sometimes it is fun to play a racer than doesn't take itself so seriously.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

This one may mildly entertain those who've never been Twisted before, but series vets should simply drive away. [June 2005, p.109]

netjak

I found the gameplay elements in Head On to get stale, even with the infrastructure gameplay in place.

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Total Video Games

Stylised visuals and over the top physics make the game stand out, and the simple premise helps to cement it's pick-up-and-play strengths.

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Edge Magazine

It represents a sublimely efficient means by which to enjoy competitive multiplayer an on all-new platform, doing so amid a shower of sparks. [June 2005, p.94]

Eurogamer

I'm keenly aware that Twisted Metal has "an audience", and I'm not belittling the people who like it. Heck, I remember a time I found it enjoyable belting around loosing off missiles. But it's such a disposable form of entertainment.

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Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Flaws such as button layout, poor targeting and matches that go on forever make this disappointingly average. [Nov 2006, p.155]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes

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

James L. gave it a4:
Difficulty of the game is ridiculously hard when your playing against bosses while you're driving slower vehicles which have no chance of outrunning them. The bosses..especially dark tooth can catch up to you in a matter of seconds, and just chew the s*** out of you, and you have no chance of fighting back..i even put the difficulty on super easy..and i still had alot of trouble with it. The controls are not very user friendly either..why cant they just have one brake button instead of one for stopping and one for sharp turns? sometimes ill just end up going in reverse because pressing down on the joystick slightly stops your car and backs it. The cars are not very well balanced either some are clearly in a disadvantage while others are far too strong.

Michael K. gave it a4:
Fun for a while, then it gets VERY boring and repetitive. Bad replay value and the extra modes all suck.

Sean H. gave it a10:
This is an all out great game if you like cars and action. everything they had in all the other twisted metals plus lots more. i strongly recommend buying this game!

Jay R. gave it a7:
The levels are great, the cars are great, and the graphics are great, but the controlls suck.

Matt R. gave it a10:
1st game bought for the psp and i don't regret it, completed the game with all players twice and still can't stop playin, BUY IT!!!

neil A. gave it a9:
Just bought my own PSP...this game rocks...sound, control....a must have if you own a PSP.

B MAN watts gave it a10:
Very fun entertaning game.

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Twisted Metal: Head-On

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

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