Let's play: Ralli Sport Challenge

BBC Sport Online reviewer David Gibbon says Ralli Sport is what the X-box has been waiting for.

With the Xbox flying off the shelves faster than Michael Schumacher on a mission, here is a driving title to really show it off.

Ralli Sport Challenge is the first game designed exclusively for the new system that is really going to make jaws drop to the floor.

Developed by Swedish-based Digital Illusions, it's easily the best-looking sports game on the format and graphically superior to anything else thus far.

Driving surfaces are extremely realistic and the cars are near-perfect.

  RalliSport Challenge

Format: Xbox

Price: £44.99

Publisher: Microsoft

Genre: Rally driving

Also Available: N/A

The more the car is driven, the dirtier it gets - and when the sun is out, it reflects of the vehicle.

On the courses, every last chicane and obstacle have been deliberately placed in just the right places to test your driving skills to the max.

And unlike any other rally title, you get four games for the price of one!

Ralli Sport Challenge boasts a total of 48 tracks spread across four disciplines - rally, hill climb, rallycross and ice racing.

Different surfaces affect the car's handling.

On mud you'll notice a lack of traction while racing, but this also benefits your car when taking corners.

Different surfaces affect the handling

On the other hand, tarmac gives excellent grip - but makes life very difficult when taking corners at speed.

There's a total of 29 rally vehicles in the game, from the Audi Quattro S1 to the Saab 9-3.

Before each race, you can alter the type of tyre your car has fitted in order to suit the course.

You also get three modes of play - Time Attack, Quick Race and Career Mode.

The latter allows you to create a driver and compete in 19 events, with points awarded for position and the condition of your car.

During play, you'll find the sensation of speed is stomach churning to say the least.

As you hurtle down an obstacle-ridden course, the sense of excitement pulls you in and makes you want more.

  Gibbon's verdict

Graphics: 94%

Playability: 92%

Sound: 83%

Realism: 93%

Overall: 92%

It's a shame this game doesn't come with some kind of tutorial - as it's certainly not easy.

Collisions are inevitable and braking too late will result in a spectacular crash.

If you're a driving nut and are considering an Xbox, this should be top of your list.

Its thrilling mix of visuals, dynamics handling and speed, together with a superb four-player split-screen, puts its rivals in the shade.

Nothing else comes close, for now.