Many racing fans consider Formula 1 to be the pinnacle of motorsport, and we would be happy to agree. Many gamers consider the Xbox to be the most powerful console of the current next-generation technologies. That’s agreed too. Electronic Arts are wisely bringing together the best of both worlds with F1 2002 for the Xbox. This is the most technically advanced F1 game yet. It’s easy to think that all F1 games are the same and to some extent that’s true. There are no new circuits to learn, and you should already be up to speed on the most recent additions to the F1 championship, Sepang and Indianapolis. But let’s not forget about the new drivers such as Mark Webber, Takkuma Sato and Alan McNish, and the new teams on the starting grid, Toyota and Renault. The extra processor power of the Xbox adds several new graphical features that greatly add to the realism of the title. The new wet weather effects are particularly stunning, especially the rain drops on the camera. Each one reverses, fades and blurs the view, just like in real life. The car reflections on the wet surface are impressive as is the windblown rain effect. Other graphical features to write home about include true cubic environmental mapping, where the cars reflect their surroundings properly, and self-shadowing, where the cars cast shadows on themselves, the track, and other cars. The full damage model actually deforms the textures as well as the polygons, a feature you have to see to fully appreciate. F1 2002 looks and plays so well, it’s not true. It offers a massive challenge and lots of excitement and drama. It’s also the very first F1 game on the Xbox, so if you’re a racing fan, this title should not be missed.