Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York, cars, guns and flares collide in Driver 76, the fifth instalment in the long-running series and the first outing on PSP.
Set two years prior to the previous game in the series, Driver 76 sees you take on the role of Ray, an up and coming wheelman in 70s New York.
Ray's world revolves around fast cars and turning a fast buck by any means necessary - this often means keeping an eye open for the patrolling forces of the law and finding means of evading their attention whilst going about his (shady) business.
Ray's life assumes some kind of purpose when he spies the lovely Chen-Chi and determines to make her his - only thing is, he'll have to win over her father Zhou, a notorious Triad boss, first. So begins a quest for cash and respect to earn a date with the mobster's daughter.
Guided by Slink, a local pimp with an impressive book of underworld contacts, Ray is assigned a series of missions. From running cigars to picking up stolen cars, you'll need to be alert to stay one step ahead of the cops while making sure you get the goods back to Slink in decent working order.
There are various aids to help you complete your task, such as a mini-map which shows where you are and where you need to head, to a Suspicion Meter which appears in certain missions where you'll need to make sure you don't arouse the suspicions of those around you if you're to get the job done properly.
Wreck the car, or make those around you too nervous and you'll fail the mission - so it's important to keep your wits about you as you look to progress through the game.
Though dotted around town, the missions are reasonably compact and well linked to give you a sense of moving through the story, while at the same time being perfect for gaming on the go. What's more, you can take your pick from a number of side missions to boost your earnings and grab even more items.
Apart from the expansive game world - with Jersey, Long Island and Manhattan to explore - what really makes Driver 76 stand out is its retro art style and soundtrack. The plot is presented in a comic book style, with the game being divided into various chapters.
Mixing music from the likes of James Brown, David Bowie and Blondie, Driver 76 puts you firmly in the decade where your sense of style was directly linked to the width of your trousers and the height of your hair.
With a wealth of missions and side missions to complete, as well as collectibles to accumulate, this game will keep you coming back for more. And, with the chance to race off with your friends and swap items via the PSP system's Wireless functionality, this is one ride you're not going to want to miss.
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