This futuristic racer still follows the series' formula, as you zip along twisting and turning tracks, avoiding collisions with walls and competitors, while expertly snagging offensive and defensive power-ups.

Wipeout Pulse delivers the cleanest, smoothest racing experiences you'll ever see on the PSP. The frame rate never dips below 30 frames per second, not even when an enemy tosses a barrage of mines at you from close range. Furthermore, the detail surrounding each track is astounding. Each one bends in multiple directions while surrounded by tall buildings, neon lighting, huge billboards and weird architecture. The race crafts themselves also look good, and the ability to create your own skins to upload into the game (on a PC through this website) gives it an unbelievable sense of creativity. The menus are also easy to navigate, with stylish text and presentation that fits the Wipeout mantra.

In addition, Pulse features slick techno tracks from the likes of Mason, Stanton Warriors, Kraftwerk and more. However, if you're not happy with its music, you can upload up to 30 of your own MP3s. As for the rest of the audio, the sound effects are somewhat smaller in comparison, but still there. The announcer's voice is suave and delicate, instead of over-the-top.

Gameplay still works in the same manner as previous Wipeout games. You coast along each track, utilizing left and right airbrakes with the PSP's shoulder buttons to avoid colliding into things. The controls work fine, although the difficulty is harder than in previous Wipeout games. After a couple of rounds on each track, however, you'll discover where the power-up strips are, going over them to gain an advantage. Some provide simple speed bursts, while others give you offensive and defensive weaponry. Shields protect your ship from missile and gun blasts; the Wave attack sends a powerful jolt down the track, stopping everyone within its range; and a new lock-on energy attack lets you suck a ship's power into your own supply.

Several modes spice up the action. The Campaign mode introduces a free-grid system, where you complete events in any order. Finishing these races results in the unlocking of new tracks and vehicles, which you can use in the arcade mode-ish Racebox. In there, you hop into a race with your own rules and settings. The ability to create your own customized racing grid is a fine addition, letting you build a personalized circuit to challenge others. A Photo Mode lets you take snapshots of your racing action for bragging rights. New downloadable content should be available soon, and the customizable features are definitely worthwhile. There's really a whole lot to do here.

Multiplayer is where racers test their skills and Wipeout Pulse lets you challenge up to eight players in local AdHoc competition or through online Infrastructure Play across many modes, including Elimination and Zone. The online racing action is smooth and never lagged. It's especially fun to pit yourself against other human racers, rather than the overaggressive artificial intelligence.

The game's single flaw is its inability to do anything amazingly new. There's no intricate new control schemes, no ability to customize your weapons, nothing that really pushes the series to new heights. However, it delivers the best Wipeout racing action possible. Because of that, we give it our wholehearted recommendation. This is one game that'll get your Pulse jumping.