Prior to the Sega announcement that they would be restructuring from a hardware manufacturer to a software developer only, Acclaim was able to license a couple of Sega's most popular arcade games that had previously appeared on Dreamcast. Crazy Taxi made its way onto the PS2 last summer to a luke warm reception partly in due to framerate issues. 18 Wheeler is the second title Acclaim was able to get a hold of. The game was a huge success in the arcade thanks to its fresh approach and large steering wheel cabinet. And here lies the problem when converting a true arcade experience to a home console, it just does not translate well. You have nothing more than an arcade port that does not feel right and is a little to thin in the extras department.

From a visual standpoint, the folks over at Acclaim Cheltenham have done a wonderful job in porting the exact arcade look to the Playstation 2. Fine detail is especially noticeable in the first person camera angle where you can see from the inside of the truck. Nice little touches like dangling items from the rear view mirror are noticeable. The course designs are generally good but texture variance could have enhanced the experience. This could also be said about the arcade version. Although there are only a few minor pop-up and draw-in problems, the game does not move as fast as it should. I suppose it is the fact that you are driving a large vehicle which takes time to gather speed but it is a long process that can become quickly tiresome. The truck design is similar to those found in the arcade. Aurally 18 Wheeler attempts to provide a down home feeling by using a hoe-down country music soundtrack to CB prompts and taunts. It is a good premise but it never really works due to the limited tracks and the same repetitive prompts and taunts.

The gameplay mirrors the arcade version. You must choose from one of five over the top drivers, each with his rig and clear each stage. To clear a stage in the arcade mode, you must reach the goal before the time limit runs out. If you are able to finish the course, you will be awarded money based on the combined value of the cargo and any remaining time. Controlling the rigs are easy enough as each has its own unique handling capabilities. It is possible to get a few vehicle upgrades for beating your opponent. As you progress through the short arcade mode, you will need to strategize in order to beat your opponent and trim seconds off the time limit. As a result, 18 Wheeler at times has the Crazy Taxi atmosphere of complete chaos both in terms of trying to get to the next checkpoint and doing whatever it takes to get there. This can involve smashing through signs and low overhang signs that get in your path. There is a fair amount of strategy involved in the game in order to progress further into the game. This includes learning how to take turns at high speeds and to avoid obstacles while maintaining control of your rig.

In the extras department, 18 Wheeler is quite thin. The Arcade mode consists of only 4 stages! While they are challenging, once mastered there is little incentive to go through them again. An added Parking Mode makes things interesting as you must maneuver your rig through tight streets and park it without hitting anything and within a very strict time limit. The Score Attack is a 3 lap race to determine who can score the most points. Finally, the VS mode is your classic 2-player mode where you can race your friend 3 laps around a course.

In sum, 18 Wheeler is a good port of an arcade game that relies heavily on a big steering wheel that is not present for the home version. As a result, the game does not last nearly as long as a console version should. 18 Wheeler is a solid rental at best.