TNN Motorsports Hardcore 4X4 simulates the sport of big truck racing rather than going with an Arcade format (like Midway's Off Road Challenge). This will require players to be on the lookout hazards in the road, pay attention to vehicle physics, choose trucks wisely, and adjust to various terrain and weather conditions.

There are six different terrain/track locations -- Dynamite Pass, a mountainous setting of various terrain; Ground Zero Gulch, bumpy canyon driving; Devil's Kitchen, located in the dusty desert; Mercurial Forest, paved mountain roadways; Hades Highway, a volcano; and Arctic Inferno, a slippery ice capade. Depending on which track you happen to be on, you'll need to pick a truck well suited for the race. It would be pointless to take a rig built for winter driving when you're in the middle of the desert.

Fortunately, there is a truck for every type of terrain (seven in all, one of which is hidden). If you're heading into Arctic Inferno, you'd probably be wise in choosing the Snow Spider -- a rig built with icy traction in mind. The Fire Witch is perfect for racing on hardened lava and the Sand Blaster rolls through sandy deserts like a knife through hot butter.

Choosing the right truck really comes into play in the Championship mode of Hardcore 4X4. This is the main gameplay option; players will be facing off against five other trucks across each of the six tracks. The idea is to come in first on every track -- if you do, you'll reign as the champion! For the big rig masters, try the Championship mode on the Extreme difficulty; finish it and you'll unlock a new truck.

There are two other options as well -- the Single Race and Time Trial. The Single Race is simply a race against five computer-controlled opponents and the Time Trial is a fierce competition for the fastest lap and finishing time on the given track. In the latter option, 8 people can compete for the glory -- the best times are then saved on your Memory Card.

In addition to all this, TNN Motorsports Hardcore 4X4 comes equipped with three different difficulty levels (novice, pro, and extreme) and various weather conditions. You have the option of setting the weather to Good (normal conditions), Overcast (foggy conditions), and Severe (rain, snow, sandstorms, and smoke). Each setting effect tracks differently and will in someway interfere with your quest for glory (fog will hamper your vision, snow makes for messy driving, etc). There is also a day or night setting.

TNN Motorsports HardCore 4x4 (Sony PlayStation 1, 1996)