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"I didn't think it could get worse then the NES Knight Rider...."

I searched the net for a long time to find a working Commodore 64 emulator and the ROM of Knight Rider. When I finally found both, I was greatly disgusted with what I had. I was expecting something along the lines of the NES debacle, where we drive around shooting people from behind. Instead, I found a game when the targeting and shooting is done for us, the controls are horrible, and the fun of playing the game does not exist.

Sound: 1/10
I realize this is the Commodore 64 we're talking about, an ancient disk-based system with extremely limited capabilities. Even so, the sounds in this one will make you want to rip off your ears so you'll never hear anything so horrible again. Beeps. Endless, high-pitched beeps to work as every noise you hear in the game. This includes the engine, which means you are hearing a steady high-pitched beep. Mute your sound when you play this, seriously.

Music: 1/10
There was music in this game? I thought that was someone scratching a chalkboard while ripping up styrofoam. We get some beeps that vaguely sound like the Knight Rider theme, and then we get beeps that just add to the noise through out the levels. Another reason to mute your sound.

Graphics: 2/10
The graphics, like every other aspect of this game, suck. It seems like there are only 10 colors used in this one. When you blow up ships(or whatever those are that you're shooting at), it looks like the Blob is over-taking them. The road and grass look like someone puked everywhere. The inside of K.I.T.T. looks like it does in the show, so that's the only reason this part doesn't get a 1/10 score. I know this is the Commodore 64 we're talking about here, so the graphics won't exactly be spectacular. But the fact is, I've seen better graphics on games within this system.

Story: 1/10
Here is your options for missions: Shoot Soviet Ambassador, Shoot British Prime Minister, Shoot Vice President, Destroy Silicon Valley. By these title, one would think K.I.T.T. was evil and out to take over the world. In actuality, you must stop these events from happening. How? By shooting ufo looking things in the sky.

Controls: -5/10
The Commodore 64 has bad controls anyway. But it seems Ocean tried to make it much worse then it already was. When playing, you always end up off the road, because when you turn slightly, you get stuck in that direction. For some reason the controls are sticky. I've never seen this happen in a game before, on any system. Simply trying to play this game will anger you to no end.

Gameplay/Fun Factor: 0/10
Simply put, Knight Rider isn't the least bit fun. When you mix together the terrible controls, the blotchy graphics, and the pointless missions, you end up with a game you want to throw out the window. Shooting giant mutant camels was more fun then this. I doubt even David Hasslehof would like this.

Rent/buy/download?
Save yourself the frustration and avoid this one at all costs.


Reviewer's Score: 1/10 | Originally Posted: 06/03/03, Updated 06/30/03

Michael Knight, Mr Macho and all round do-gooder, has been assigned yet another perilous mission, along with his trusty four-wheeled companion, KITT -- a remarkable car forming the brains behind the team. Devon, Michael's coordinator, has discovered a group of international terrorists who are threatening to corrupt the amicable relationships between East and West. It is even thought that they are planning to trigger the beginning of the World War III! Devon has instructed Michael and KITT to uncover the plot and put a stop to it -- unfortunately, nobody has the slightest idea what the plot really is.

At the beginning of the game you can choose which mission you wish to attempt, such as prevent-ing the assassination of the Prime Minister, the Deputy President and all sorts of high ranking people. There are three main sections to the game. You begin on the map screen which shows several alternative destinations known to be centres of terrorism. A flashing cursor shows which city you are in and can be moved to indicate which city you are going to. It you enter an operations base from the map screen a message scrolls along the bottom of the screen and advises Michael to travel to a certain city. The joystick is used to select a destination, pressing fire takes you to the driving screen.

The driving section has an interesting option -- you are able to select whether you take control of the steering or to hand it over to KITT. If you choose not to drive then you take control of the crosshairs which can be aimed at the terrorists' helicopters which are trying to stop you completing your mission. When you arrive at the next city (there is a counter to indicate how far away you are from it), you can enter the operations base. However, if KITT still tells you that you need to travel somewhere else then you have to go.

Once you arrive at the correct base you then have to attempt to make your way across to the other side of the room, avoiding three or four highly trained killers in the process. The base could be the terrorist's armoury, headquarters, or even the target of their plots. When the screen has been completed, a clue to what will happen next appears. This process continues until you have either run out of time or sustained too much damage from enemy fire.

I can't believe Ocean have got the nerve to release a game as bad as this -- after a year of hype all they've come up with is a piece of turgid trash. The game basically consists of nothing but a very simple and terminally boring driving simulation which offers no challenge whatsoever -- even at 240 mph the car is a doddle to control. KITT the super (!) car only travels at a maximum speed of 45 mph, so there's no point in letting him drive. And anyway, shooting naff helicopter sprites isn't my idea of fun. If you like the TV program and have been looking forward to the game then you're going to be very disappointed indeed. Steer well clear.

Presentation 40%
Barely adequate.

Graphics 34%
Simple and ineffective.

Sound 55%
A few weak spot effects and a reasonable rendition of the Knight Rider theme tune on the title screen.

Hookability 29%
Disappointment guaranteed after only a few plays.

Lastability 15%
Severely lacking.

Value For Money 13%
Stick to the TV series, it's marginally better and much cheaper.

Overall 16%
Surely after sixteen months Ocean could have come up with something better than this.