Road Trip Adventure – A Nostalgic Gem Worth Exploring

by Panda PGN

Hello, PGN ARCADE! Panda here, kicking off my very first review on this website, and I couldn’t be more excited. I absolutely love this game—it’s a joy to play, and I know my appreciation for it will only grow over time. With that said, let me explain how my reviews work. I’ll break the game down into specific categories: Introduction, Gameplay, Story, Visuals/History, Controls, Sound, and Overall.

Also my video review will be slightly different to this review but it should be talking about the same just not in detail. Now that you know the plan, let’s dive right into my review!

Gameplay

At its heart, Road Trip Adventure is a quirky, open-world racer that’s as much about exploration as it is about hitting the track. You’ll find yourself cruising from town to town, taking on races at various “Q Factories” along the way.

The races cater to all skill levels—C Rank for casual players, B Rank for a solid challenge, and A Rank for when you’re ready to go pro. But the game offers so much more than just racing. You can collect stamps, snap photos, uncover hidden gems, and track down elusive Q coins (trust me, they’re worth the effort).

It’s a game that invites exploration at your own pace, letting you decide whether to focus on the thrill of racing or the joy of discovery.

Story

The story is delightfully odd in the best way possible. The President (also your eventual end boss) decides to spice things up by hosting “The World’s Grand Prix” to find the next ruler. Naturally, you step up to prove that being good at car races is the ultimate qualification for global leadership.

To compete, you’ll need to win races across different towns, earn a Super A Rank license, and build a team of three. It’s an absurd premise, but it works perfectly within the game’s whimsical world.

Visuals

For a game released in 2002, Road Trip Adventure has aged surprisingly well. The graphics, while simplistic by today’s standards, evoke a nostalgic charm that retro indie games often try to replicate.

Sure, it doesn’t wow with cutting-edge visuals, but the charm lies in its clean, straightforward design. Honestly, this is a game that screams for a modern remaster—it could easily find a new audience with just a bit of polish.

Controls

The controls are simple and intuitive, making it easy for anyone to jump in:

  • X: Start your engine
  • Square: Brake
  • Circle: Reverse
  • Triangle: Switch camera views

At the start, your car is… not great. But as you earn money, you’ll upgrade it at Q Parts Stores scattered across towns. Premium upgrades, like the Hyper Max Engine, don’t come cheap (80k coins!), but collecting Q coins unlocks premium parts for free if you’re resourceful.

Want to tackle tricky terrain? Invest in specialized parts. Need a boost? Add rockets for turbo mode—but keep an eye on your fuel! Oh, and yes, you can even add a plane part to glide farther, though free-flight remains just out of reach.

Sound

The sound design is a mixed bag. The music? Catchy, but repetitive. Four pop-style tracks loop throughout the game, which might earn it a 5/10 on a good day. But where the game truly shines is in its sound effects.

From the echo of tunnels to underwater reverb, the attention to audio details enhances the immersion. Each town’s unique theme adds a bit of personality to the world, giving players something new to hear as they explore.

Overall

Road Trip Adventure is pure, unadulterated fun. The amount of content is staggering—you could easily sink hours into this game without realizing it. However, if you’re not a fan of collect-a-thons, this might not be your cup of tea.

For those who love hunting down collectibles, the game offers endless rewards:

  • 100 photos to capture
  • 100 Q coins to collect
  • 100 stamps to earn
  • A trading system that layers in some light puzzle-solving

Originally launched on the PlayStation 2, this game is a hidden gem of its era. While I’ve been replaying it on an emulator, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the original on its home console. If you’re into quirky, open-world games with a lot of heart, Road Trip Adventure is a must-play.