Monster Truck Madness
Encyclopedia
Monster Truck Madness is a monster truck
racing PC game developed by Terminal Reality
and published by Microsoft
, in 1996. During development it was referred to as Heavy Metal Truck or by the internal codename Metal Crush.
, a Win32 game based on the DOS Terminal Velocity's engine). The game was ported to Windows and it was renamed to Heavy Metal Truck for a short period of time. Heavy Metal Truck had a very primitive user interface, only 2 tracks (Indiana State Fairgrounds and Arizona), 5 basic trucks and it included a truck editor and a free roam mode, features that later were excluded from the final product. During the development of Heavy Metal Truck, a more user friendly graphical user interface was added, the stock trucks were removed and replaced from real life licensed trucks, and the name of the game was renamed to Monster Truck Madness.
(abbreviated as MTM2, codenamed Metal Crush 2) offers improved graphics, an updated interface, new trucks and tracks and the addition of variable weather conditions. However, the game engine is essentially the same as that utilized in the original game. A testament to their similarity is the fact that most custom trucks and tracks are compatible with both games.
(based on PENDA Point Series), circuit
, rally
and tournament. It is also possible for human players to race against one another via DirectPlay
.
The straight monster truck drag lane has 2 sets of ramps that lead to two 3-car jumps. The first ramp sends the player flying to the first 3-car jump, with the second jump coming up quickly. Once the player has cleared both jumps, the player have to make his way to the finish line as fast as he can. The J-style tracks add a tight turn between two sections of track: The first section is a straightaway with two jump ramps followed by the second section with a 5-car jump that sends the player to the finish line.
Drags included in the game are:
Circuits included in the game are:
Based on Margaritaville, Texas. It is the most famous track of the series, being remade various times in different games made by TRI, such as 4x4 Evolution
. It is the only track that includes an animated BIN model. This is the only available track in the demo version of the game.
Based on Brazil
.
Based on Greenbow, Alabama, a reference to Forrest Gump
.
Based on "Keith's Backyard". Keith Wintraub was the Product Planning Project Leader of Monster Truck Madness
Based on Windsor, Ontario
.
An official add-on track, based on "Mike's Dementia"
An official add-on track, based on Texas Strip Mines
An official add-on track, based on Sierra Nevada
Rallies included in the game are:
Arizona was the first track made for the game, and it was included in the earliest Heavy Metal Truck builds.
Based on the Scottish Highlands, includes a hidden soccer field and the Loch Ness Monster
.
Based on a unknown island of the Yucatán peninsula.
An add-on track, based on Golden, Colorado. Includes a "Cop Bronco" model, an early Heavy Metal Truck truck removed from the game.
Terminal Reality released a DOS track and truck editor called TrackEd, which include a POD file manager. However, there is plenty of third-party utilities made for the game and its sequel.
of the monster trucking world. Of note is the modular way in which race calls are structured, such as Grave Digger
/ is doin' it / in the air!
.
Monster truck
A monster truck is a pickup truck, typically styled after pickup trucks' bodies, modified or purposely built with extremely large wheels and suspension...
racing PC game developed by Terminal Reality
Terminal Reality
Terminal Reality is a video game development and production company based in Lewisville, Texas. Founded in 1994 by ex-Microsoft employee Mark Randel and former Mallard Software general manager Brett Combs, Terminal Reality develops a variety of games including racing games , 3D action games , and...
and published by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, in 1996. During development it was referred to as Heavy Metal Truck or by the internal codename Metal Crush.
Development
Development of Monster Truck Madness started in 1995 as a DOS monster truck racing simulator named Metal Crush. After getting funds from Microsoft and licensing to use real life trucks, Microsoft decided the game must be run in a Windows 32-bits environment, like other TRI games published by Microsoft (that were ported to the Win32 API, like Fury3Fury3
Fury3 is a video game developed by Terminal Reality and published by Microsoft in 1995 for Microsoft Windows. It is not a sequel to Terminal Velocity, but the two games share basic game mechanics and use the same engine...
, a Win32 game based on the DOS Terminal Velocity's engine). The game was ported to Windows and it was renamed to Heavy Metal Truck for a short period of time. Heavy Metal Truck had a very primitive user interface, only 2 tracks (Indiana State Fairgrounds and Arizona), 5 basic trucks and it included a truck editor and a free roam mode, features that later were excluded from the final product. During the development of Heavy Metal Truck, a more user friendly graphical user interface was added, the stock trucks were removed and replaced from real life licensed trucks, and the name of the game was renamed to Monster Truck Madness.
Sequel
A sequel to the original and released in 1998, Monster Truck Madness 2Monster Truck Madness 2
Monster Truck Madness 2 is a monster truck racing PC game developed by Terminal Reality and published by Microsoft Games, in 1998.- Overview :...
(abbreviated as MTM2, codenamed Metal Crush 2) offers improved graphics, an updated interface, new trucks and tracks and the addition of variable weather conditions. However, the game engine is essentially the same as that utilized in the original game. A testament to their similarity is the fact that most custom trucks and tracks are compatible with both games.
Gameplay
A racing game, Monster Truck Madness allows players to select between the 12 real life monster trucks and compete with AI players in one of four modes - dragDrag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
(based on PENDA Point Series), circuit
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
, rally
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
and tournament. It is also possible for human players to race against one another via DirectPlay
DirectPlay
DirectPlay is part of Microsoft's DirectX API. DirectPlay is a network communication library intended for computer game development, although its general nature certainly allows it to be used for other purposes....
.
Drags
In drag racing mode, monster trucks compete to be the first to cross a set finish line. Drag tracks has 2 lane styles, the straight and J-style.The straight monster truck drag lane has 2 sets of ramps that lead to two 3-car jumps. The first ramp sends the player flying to the first 3-car jump, with the second jump coming up quickly. Once the player has cleared both jumps, the player have to make his way to the finish line as fast as he can. The J-style tracks add a tight turn between two sections of track: The first section is a straightaway with two jump ramps followed by the second section with a 5-car jump that sends the player to the finish line.
Drags included in the game are:
- B.C. PlaceBC Place StadiumBC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
- Indiana State FairIndiana State FairThe Indiana State Fair is an annual fair held in Indianapolis, Indiana, usually in the month of August. The first fair was held in 1881 and the 2009 fair had the highest number of attendees at 973,902....
grounds - RCA DomeRCA DomeRCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons ....
- Tacoma DomeTacoma DomeThe Tacoma Dome is an indoor arena located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, approximately 30 miles south of Seattle.-History:...
- Trans World DomeEdward Jones DomeThe Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was...
Circuit
In circuit racing mode, the player has to follow checkpoints to finish an amount of laps set by the player. Circuits have a maximum of 20 laps and 7 opponents (8 trucks).Circuits included in the game are:
- A Crazy Eight
Based on Margaritaville, Texas. It is the most famous track of the series, being remade various times in different games made by TRI, such as 4x4 Evolution
4x4 Evolution
4x4 Evolution is a video game developed by Terminal Reality for the Windows, Macintosh, PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast platforms. It is one of the first console games to have cross-platform online play where Dreamcast, Macintosh and PC versions of the game appear online at the same time...
. It is the only track that includes an animated BIN model. This is the only available track in the demo version of the game.
- Canyon Adventure
Based on Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
- Mud Pies
Based on Greenbow, Alabama, a reference to Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
.
- Round and Round
Based on "Keith's Backyard". Keith Wintraub was the Product Planning Project Leader of Monster Truck Madness
- Winding Way
Based on Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
.
- A Crazyer eight
An official add-on track, based on "Mike's Dementia"
- King of the Hill
An official add-on track, based on Texas Strip Mines
- Sierra Logging Run
An official add-on track, based on Sierra Nevada
Rally
In rally racing mode, the player has to follow checkpoints to finish only one lap. Rallies have a maximum of 7 opponents (8 trucks total).Rallies included in the game are:
- ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
Arizona was the first track made for the game, and it was included in the earliest Heavy Metal Truck builds.
- HighlandsScottish HighlandsThe Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
Rally
Based on the Scottish Highlands, includes a hidden soccer field and the Loch Ness Monster
Loch Ness Monster
The Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid that is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is similar to other supposed lake monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, though its description varies from one account to the next....
.
- YucatánYucatánYucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
Adventure
Based on a unknown island of the Yucatán peninsula.
- Snowy Canyon
An add-on track, based on Golden, Colorado. Includes a "Cop Bronco" model, an early Heavy Metal Truck truck removed from the game.
Modding
Monster Truck Madness support customized additions and modifications such as new trucks and tracks via packaged files in a data archive known as "PODs", after the extension of the data files containing the mods. POD files are mounted in game via a ini text file located in the game directory. The POD file extension is a standard file format used in Terminal Reality games.Terminal Reality released a DOS track and truck editor called TrackEd, which include a POD file manager. However, there is plenty of third-party utilities made for the game and its sequel.
Languages
The game is available in English and German, and it has been unoficially translated to Spanish.Voice acting
Throughout the game, commentary is provided by "Army" Armstrong, purportedly the Murray WalkerMurray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker, OBE is a former Formula One motorsport commentator...
of the monster trucking world. Of note is the modular way in which race calls are structured, such as Grave Digger
Grave Digger (truck)
Grave Digger is the name of a team of monster trucks currently racing in the USHRA Monster Jam series. There are several Grave Diggers being driven by different drivers to allow them to make appearances at more events, but their flagship driver is creator Dennis Anderson...
/ is doin' it / in the air!
Community
MTM communities are now largely inactive. However, the game enjoyed significant popularity among casual gamers in the late 90s, and its success was largely carried through into the 21st century by its successor, Monster Truck Madness 2Monster Truck Madness 2
Monster Truck Madness 2 is a monster truck racing PC game developed by Terminal Reality and published by Microsoft Games, in 1998.- Overview :...
.
Available trucks
- BearfootBear Foot (truck)Bear Foot is a monster truck currently owned by Paul Shafer. It was originally built by Jack Wilman and Fred Shafer and, along with Bigfoot and USA-1 was one of the first monster trucks. It won the 1990, 1992, and 1993 USHRA Camel Mud and Monsters championships...
- BigfootBigfoot (truck)Bigfoot, introduced in 1979, is regarded as the original monster truck. Other trucks with the name "Bigfoot" have been introduced in the years since, and it remains the most well-known monster truck moniker in the United States. Bigfoot 4x4, Inc. is owned and operated by its creator, Bob Chandler.-...
- Boogey Van
- Carolina Crusher
- Grave DiggerGrave Digger (truck)Grave Digger is the name of a team of monster trucks currently racing in the USHRA Monster Jam series. There are several Grave Diggers being driven by different drivers to allow them to make appearances at more events, but their flagship driver is creator Dennis Anderson...
- Monster Patrol
- Overkill
- Power Wheels BigfootBigfoot (truck)Bigfoot, introduced in 1979, is regarded as the original monster truck. Other trucks with the name "Bigfoot" have been introduced in the years since, and it remains the most well-known monster truck moniker in the United States. Bigfoot 4x4, Inc. is owned and operated by its creator, Bob Chandler.-...
- Rampage
- Samson
- Snake BiteSnake Bite (truck)Snake Bite is an alternative name and identity used for Team Bigfoot trucks when two are scheduled at one event. The identity was initially created to promote a Mattel Hot Wheels toy....
- The Patriot (beta only)
- WildfootBigfoot (truck)Bigfoot, introduced in 1979, is regarded as the original monster truck. Other trucks with the name "Bigfoot" have been introduced in the years since, and it remains the most well-known monster truck moniker in the United States. Bigfoot 4x4, Inc. is owned and operated by its creator, Bob Chandler.-...
External links
- Microsoft Games : Monster Truck Madness 2( The former official site of MTM)
- Truck O Rama MTM-1 Archive
- MTM2Wiki
- Monster Truck Madness at GameFAQsGameFAQsGameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...
- MTM2.COM MTM2 online community