Game: "Jak X: Combat Racing"

Console: PlayStation 2

Developer/publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America/Naughty Dog

Genre: Racing

Number of players: One to two (via split screen); more in online play

Rated: T (teen), for crude humor, fantasy violence, language, use of tobacco

Premise: Jak's previous employer, Krew, whose final wish was to own the greatest racing team ever assembled, has passed on. Jak and his crew toast Krew, only to discover that the wine has been poisoned and the only way to get the antidote is to win all the races.

Gameplay: "Jak X: Combat Racing" plays like a kart-racing game, but without the lightheartedness. The sarcastic comments by Daxter (Jak's partner) help lighten the mood but won't change the fact you're racing to the death. The cars can use now-popular drifting: By applying the brakes while hitting a turn, you power slide, and the game tells you how far you have drifted. The same goes for how much air you gain: You jump off ramps and the game tells you how long you were in the air.

Good/ bad: Unfortunately, the cars' handling needs to be tighter — you will find yourself missing turns and flipping over at high speeds. It would have been nice to be able to pick a different character for adventure mode, but seeing as the game is called "Jak X," I guess it's not going to happen. Also, a little more plot development would have added to the game.

All the different game modes, from death matches to grand prix, add variety to the game play — something that is lacking in many racing games. Instead of just single and grand prix races, you have relic chases, freeze races and others. These raise the replay value considerably.

The game also has a pretty good split-screen exhibition mode that allows for easier multiplying. And you can play against your friends online.

Tips: Get your hands on a copy of "Ratchet: Deadlocked," save your game to your memory card, put in "Jak X," go to the secrets shop, and scroll down the menu to scan for secret characters. This will unlock Ratchet from Ratchet and Clank fame as a playable character in exhibition mode. Also, playing exhibition mode gives you more money to upgrade your vehicle.

My take: At its heart, "Jak X" is a kart-racing game with a fresh coat of paint. It's nice to see Naughty Dog come up with another kart game after the success of the excellent "Crash Team Racing" for PlayStation One.

Once you get over the control issues, you will find yourself playing an above-average racing game with the great ability to shoot bullets and grenades at your foes as you are fighting for first place.

Jeffrey Davis of Maui is a video-game enthusiast.