265. Cyber Sled (Namco, Playstaion, 1995)

Cyber Sled was one of the first games released for the Playstation, only a month after it was released. Originally developed as an arcade game in 1993, Cyber Sled is a two-player versus vehicular combat game starring futuristic polygonal spider tanks. I played through the single player mode, which is like a fighting game where you face off against all of the other CPU pilots in other.

Battles take place in relatively small, colorful blocky arenas. There are several different stages, each with a different palette and layout. Cyber Sled boasts an international roster of 6 different wacky drivers/tanks to choose from, each with it's own speed/shield/weapon stats. There is a dorky-sounding English-voiced announcer who gets very excited for each enemy. After they are announced, each enemy tank gets a little intro where they drive through a small field, each dealing with the obstacles in a different way. It's a nice little touch that gives each pilot a little bit of personality.

There are 2 selectable controls schemes. The first is pretty intuitive and uses the d-pad for movement and the R1/L1 buttons for turning. This makes the Cyber Sled almost feel like a slower Doom. The second control scheme is interesting and tries to mimic the original arcade version's, and uses both the d-pad and 4 face buttons to turn and steer. It's similar to the controls on the analog stick-less Me and My Katamari on paper, though it feels terrible in practice, so I stuck tot he first control scheme.

Most battles consist of me poking out from behind a corner to fire a missile, and then hiding before the enemy does the same. Each skirmish only lasts about 30-40 seconds, so the game is a breeze, but its also a barebones port, with a difficulty selection and not much else. After consistently dying to the fastsest character in the game (a ninja named Alan Striker), I decided if you can't beat 'em join 'em, and my experience as Alan Striker only solidified by belief that speed is all that matters in Cyber Sled.

Because you have both a radar and an indicator that allows you to see the enemy's position even behind a wall, you have a massive advantage over the enemy, as long as you have the speed to dodge enemy projectiles and outrun their tank. It was honestly hard to lose, until the final boss finally did me in. Maybe my least favorite past of Cyber Sled is that once you die, you are booted back to the title screen with no option to continue.

3/5, an early 3D versus tank game where speed is king