Pros: Great control, the steering wheel is nice, multiplayer is fine.
Cons: Very short, boring tracks, old graphics.
The bottom line: Monster 4x4 is very fun to play but only for a short while. The good control cannot hide the dull track design.
Among all the Wii launch games UBI Soft released, Monster 4x4 almost became forgotten behind all the bigger, more well known titles. It did have a special treat though, it included a plastic steering wheel which you would insert your Wii Remote into, creating a more genuine racing-feeling. A nice addition indeed, but how is the game?

Monster 4x4: World Circuit is about big cars and dirty tracks. Its also about jumps and tricks. You will drive through 10 different tracks from around the world, competing for first place in the Monster League Competition. (You will go through twenty races total, since there are also reversed versions of the tracks). Driving is done by tilting the Wii Remote left or right, holding it sideways. A method which works surprisingly well, and pulling of these hard turns is no problem at all. By pulling the remote forward you can activate nitros which give extra speed and when jumping, you can spin it around in different ways to perform various stunts. Control is really the best part of Monster 4x4. Performing stunts and blasting of nitros is really fun and the included steering wheel does add to the feeling.

The problem is, the Monster League is easy to win and is over very quickly. And after that, all that is left is to unlock the remaining cars or try to beat your best score. In other words, the single player modes doesn't last long. The fact that you can hit barrels on the track to get more nitros or to hit your opponents is nice. But it is rarely needed.

In comes multiplayer and saves the day! Because adding a few friends gives for a lot more gameplay. Except for normal races, there is also a few minigames available in multiplayer mode : Monster Soccer, Monster Combat and Monster Ball. Soccer is just what it sounds like, but played with monster trucks. Monster Ball is a similiar mode, but without the small goals and with more balls. Combat is the most fun mode, in which you have to hit opponents with barrels.

Even so, Monster 4x4 has a limited replay value. And the biggest reason is because of the dull tracks. They most certainly could have been more fun and varied. Bigger jumps, obstacles, bridges... the list goes on when it comes to missed opportunities. The tracks are the biggest disapointment with the game.

Not only is the track design dull, the graphics are as well. Its obvious this game is a port from a less powerful system. Its not using much at all of the Wii's power. Sure, some of the effects are nice and the trucks look ok, but it never gets to the point of good. It does keep a steady speed all the way through though.

Sound effects work well and suit the game. The music though, has a few fun things going for it. When you hit a nitro, it changes to a more fast paced style. Quite cool, but only a few times. Overall the music isn't too exciting.

To wrap it up, Monster 4x4 is very fun to play but only for a short while. A few friends does extend that time period, but the dull tracks makes certain its not too long. Monster 4x4 have much potential, but uses little of it. Sad thing, since the control is so good.