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This crazy racing game first came out on the PSP but is now available for download via Xbox Live Arcade. GripShift is not only a racing game, but it includes a challenge mode that turns it into a puzzler/platform game. There are over 100 courses to play on and will give players some variety, but after a while, it starts to feel the same.

In racing mode, you'll play against the computer with five different difficulty settings. It takes a while to get used to the controls because they're incredibly sensitive and because you'll be banging the guardrails the first few races. Once you get the hang of it, though, it gets better, but until you unlock a better car, you're stuck with what you've got. There are plenty of races that you participate in, but the challenges are more interesting.

In the challenge mode, there are certain goals you need to hit, whether it's a time trial, collecting stars or finding the GS logo — every time you meet these goals, you will get credits. Credits add up so that you can unlock more fun things. The credit system also is great way to keep you motivated enough to continue playing.

You can repeat the challenges until you meet all of the requirements. The GS logo requires a bit of brain power for you to figure out how to snag them, since they aren't always placed in a convenient location. You'll fly off the trail and launch off platforms, all just to find that seemingly out-of-reach GS logo. The stars are usually in your path; the more you collect, the more credits you will earn. If you miss them, you can always turn around and grab more, as long as you complete the course in the allotted time. Even if you finish the course, you can redo it as many times as you need to get maximum credits.

GripShift works like any other kart-racing game when you play with others. You have boost items — here it's just nitrous — and you'll have weapons you can fire at your opponents and defensive items to keep you in the lead. The selection is limited, but there really isn't a need to have five different ways to take out the lead car.

There is a multiplayer feature through Xbox Live, but unfortunately, there is no multiplayer for offline play. It would have been fun to race against a partner, because it was difficult to find a game online. Nothing can beat the experience of playing with real people, but if you'd rather do the challenges, you'll spend most of your time offline anyway. Deathmatches, however, can only be played online, and it involves trying to take out your opponents in various arenas.

The race tracks are short, but some are filled with some spectacular loops that make the experience a lot more interesting than your usual oval track. The visuals aren't amazing, but you're talking about an XBLA download. The backgrounds are fairly basic, but there are different themes to change things up, especially when you're going to dozens of tracks.

The music and sound could have used more work; the high-pitched scream when you fall off the track is rather irritating. There isn't too much to complain about, but an upbeat and catchy soundtrack would have livened things up a little.

GripShift is a fun and entertaining racing/platform game that you could spend hours trying to gain as many credits as you can. The controls take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, the rest goes smoothly. This game doesn't introduce any new concepts, but it's an easy game to pick up and play.