When you’re a kid, there’s nothing quite like checking out Monster Truck events were some of the best times ever. So, it only makes sense that developers try to capture that experience in video game form, and Nacon’s Monster Truck Championship is the latest attempt at that.
Originally launched on last-gen consoles in October 2020, Monster Truck Championship makes the next-generation leap to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Before getting into the game itself, however, just know that even if you own it on PS4 or Xbox One, you’ll have to buy it again for next-gen. Also, don’t expect any major upgrades between editions.
With that aside, the game itself isn’t all that bad once you’re in it.
Players start out with as basic of a truck as you can get. In order to improve your truck, you’ll have to spend time in the game’s Career mode. Inside the mode you’ll take part in three leagues with multiple events comprised of five event types.
Controlling your truck requires the use of both joysticks: left stick for the front, right for the rear. It’s weird at first, but something you quickly get used to when you’re out on the track.
Career Is Where It’s At
The events in Monster Truck Championship range from standard races with eight trucks to 1v1 Drag Races to Freestyle. An event like Time Trial isn’t my cup of tea, but I can spend hours in Freestyle and Destruction. Just doing tricks across one of the game’s various tracks make is an enjoyable experience.
As you progress through your career, you’ll earn cash and points to improve not only your truck’s look, but it’s performance as well. Areas like steering, top speed, stability, and more are all improved based on your success. Outside of the Career, you can do quick events and customize your trucks.
Where the game really is a let down is in multiplayer. All that’s available is 8-player races with no option for local split screen. Hell, you can’t even do online Freestyle events which would’ve been really nice. Also, the next-gen upgrades are small, if at all. You get the boost to 4K and 60 FPS, which does look nice, but that’s it. On PS5, there’s no DualSense support, which takes away from the possible immersion the game could’ve offered.
From a visual experience, Monster Truck Championship does the trucks and environments justice. There are even fireworks that go off when you pull off a big jump or trick during an event. If the game managed to get official Monster Jam licensing down the line — unlikely right now, but always possible — we could have an incredible offering on our hands.
Monster Truck Championship Review Verdict
For the first time in years, Monster Truck fans actually have a game worth picking up in Monster Truck Championship. The career mode is enjoyable and the gameplay is fun enough that anyone, no matter the age, would have a good time.
The problem comes when you get through the Career. There’s nothing here to really keep you invested in the game. If it had a bit more depth and more track offerings, then it may be worth an instant buy suggestion. But as it stands, Monster Truck Championship is a game that sits in the “wait for a sale” category despite it being a good game.