Harley-Davidson: Race Across America

The Good
It has Harley-Davidson motorcycles in it, and for a fan you'd be delighted to partake in a series of races to Sturgis, South Dakota especially if you're unable to attend the fabled rally being held there. Sound effects are quite meaty as they were recorded from actual bikes, and while the soundtrack is an acquired taste, it isn't all that bad either.

The Bad
As much as how the developers and publishers of this game took some effort in its presentation, going so far as to using a leatherette case in its packaging, that's the only thing this game excels at. Even for a 1999 game the graphics are too angular and unpolished, making the likes of Need for Speed games of the era look like Toy Story-grade CGI in comparison. Colliding with traffic cars and/or scenery yields a quick thud, and the bikes were somehow given the fuel economy of an elephantine V8-powered SUV with a leaky fuel tank. Sure, it's a budget game, but do they really have to skimp out on development just to make a quick buck? It's like as if the MoCo merely handed WizardWorks the licence to produce the game, with only little to no oversight on development, just as long as the bikes vaguely look like Harleys - even for a game of the era some of the details look flatout wrong, not to mention that the "1956 KHK" looked nothing like the Sportster predecessor.

To be honest I did somewhat enjoy the game back when I was in my early teens (Dad and I got a copy of the game when it first came out in 1999, but our home office PC at the time couldn't run it so it wasn't until 2003 when I was able to play it on my brother's rig), but even at the time I felt it could've been better.

The Bottom Line
Unless you're a die-hard fan or a collector of Harley-Davidson memorabilia, this budget priced motorcycle racing game is something to play if you're too bored or have an ironic appreciation for shovelware. Otherwise, you'd better be off riding a real Harley.