Test Drive Cycles
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{{Infobox video game
| title = Test Drive Cycles
| image = Test Drive Cycles cover.jpg
| developer = Xantera
| publisher = Infogrames North America
| composer = Thor Call
| series = Test Drive
| platforms = Game Boy Color
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|July 25, 2000{{Cite web |date=2000-12-16 |title=Infogrames Press Release |url=http://www.infogrames.net/corporate/press/072500_tdcycles.asp |access-date=2023-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001216144300/http://www.infogrames.net/corporate/press/072500_tdcycles.asp |archive-date=2000-12-16 }}}}
| genre = Racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Test Drive Cycles is a racing video game developed by American studio Xantera and published by Infogrames North America exclusively for the Game Boy Color. It is the first game in the Test Drive series to feature motorcycles.
Test Drive Cycles was originally intended to release on PlayStation, Dreamcast and Microsoft Windows, but was eventually cancelled.
Gameplay
Unlike other Test Drive games by Xantara, which were isometric, Test Drive Cycles is instead an "into-the-screen" style racer, in the vein of Hang-On or Out Run.{{Cite web |date=2001-02-10 |title=DailyRadar.com Review - Test Drive Cycles |url=http://www.dailyradar.com/reviews/game_review_826.html |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210072753/http://www.dailyradar.com/reviews/game_review_826.html |archive-date=2001-02-10 }}
The game has 24 tracks in 12 real world locations. There are eleven motorcycles in the game, licensed from BMW, Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi and Bimota. Two of these are only available in the police chase mode.{{Cite web |title=IGCD.net: Vehicles/Cars list for Test Drive Cycles |url=https://www.igcd.net/game.php?id=1000011071 |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.igcd.net |archive-date=2024-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513043740/https://www.igcd.net/game.php?id=1000011071 |url-status=live }}
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Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 60%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/914429-test-drive-cycles/index.html |title=Test Drive Cycles for Game Boy Color |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927113059/https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/914429-test-drive-cycles/index.html |url-status=live }}
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Woods |first=Nick |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21383&tab=review |title=Test Drive Cycles - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116092355/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21383&tab=review |archive-date=November 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 6, 2019}}
| EGM = 3.5/10{{cite magazine |title=Test Drive Cycles |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |year=2000}}
| GSpot = 7.3/10{{cite web |last=Tracy |first=Tim |date=August 18, 2000 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/test-drive-cycles-review/1900-2617294/ |title=Test Drive Cycles Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=December 1, 2018}}
| IGN = 4/10{{cite web |last=Nix |first=Marc |date=August 8, 2000 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/09/test-drive-cycles-2 |title=Test Drive Cycles |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205102353/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/09/test-drive-cycles-2 |url-status=live }}
| NP = 6.1/10{{cite magazine |title=Test Drive Cycles |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |volume=134 |date=July 2000}}
}}
Test Drive Cycles received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.
Michael Wolf of Daily Radar criticized the audio and draw distance, and stated that the controls felt "sluggish". Wolf did remark that the upgrade system and police chase mode were welcome features, but did not consider them enough to off-set its issues.
Cancelled console/PC version
Versions were also developed for PlayStation, Dreamcast and PC by the same development team who worked on Test Drive Off-Road 3, but these versions were cancelled in June 2000.
The PlayStation version was to include 30 licensed bikes, 12 tracks and DualShock controller support with the same applying to the Dreamcast version which would support a Jump Pak.{{cite web |author=IGN staff |date=August 9, 1999 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/10/test-drive-cycles-3 |title=Test Drive Cycles (Preview) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402152537/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/10/test-drive-cycles-3 |url-status=live }} The Microsoft Windows version would also include hidden shortcuts.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=May 11, 2000 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/12/e32000-infogrames-halts-test-drive-cycles |title=E32000: Infogrames Halts Test Drive Cycles |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402160853/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/12/e32000-infogrames-halts-test-drive-cycles |url-status=live }}
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References
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{{Test Drive}}
Category:Cancelled Dreamcast games
Category:Cancelled PlayStation (console) games
Category:Cancelled Windows games
Category:Game Boy Color-only games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:North America-exclusive video games
Category:Video games about police officers