Simply put, this is original. On a system loaded with sequels, it’s nice to see a completely original game with a new style of gameplay, a wacky look, and personable characters — that’s what Iggy’s has. It’s a bit difficult to describe in a single sentence, but I’ll give it a shot: IRB is a vertical racer (which allows four players to go at it simultaneously) up a tower while controlling a Reckin’ Ball to see who can be the first to knock the tower down.

Each Reckin’ Ball bears a zany visage reminiscent of the Madballs toy of the ’80s. You can choose from eight balls to start, with an additional nine hidden away. When you start the game, there are five worlds, or circuits, to choose from. Each world features 10 tracks and has its own theme such as Easy Street, Candy Lane, or Tektricity. After you’ve come in first place in all five initial worlds, you’ll unlock six more worlds (each home to 10 more tracks). So once you’ve done all the unlocking you can do, Iggy’s has over 100 different towers/tracks and 17 selectable characters (yikes!). That’s a whole lotta game there.

But wait, there’s even more depth here. The key to breezing through each tower is finding the shortcuts and secrets. That’s right, we’re talking 100 towers, each loaded with secrets. If you don’t find a shortcut, and your friend does... forget about it. He’ll have a distinct advantage and probably smoke you on that track. There are also secret techniques to learn as well, such as ways to gain extra turbos. There’s much more to IRB than what you see at first glance; it’s not just a cutesy racer.

OK, enough of the hidden stuff, how does it play? Fast, fun, and frantic. Your Reckin’ Ball comes with its own grappling device which pulls you up ledges, can grab enemies, and toss them around. Master using the grapple because that’s your weapon of choice, as well as primary means of transportation. The other buttons allow you to jump and use a special weapon or turbo (you start each lap with four). Control is analog, and I can’t stress enough the importance of precision, especially when you’re in mid-air about to grapple the ledge above. Because one missed grab... and you’re falling to the bottom, probably putting yourself out of the race. That’s one gripe I have with the game. Failing to snag a single ledge can end a race, because a long fall from the top is insurmountable.

Every tower is loaded with power-ups (shrink enemies, reverse their controls, leader-tracking projectiles, etc.), enemy inhabitants (Spikie, Stickie, and Stompie to name a few), and gadgets (fans, warps, spring platforms, etc.). Laps are fast and easy to complete at first, but the later levels become incredibly long and difficult. You’ll feel like you deserve an award just for finishing a single lap in the more difficult worlds.

So here’s the final verdict. Iggy’s originality alone is enough to warrant a further look. Try something different for a change. If you’re a fan of 4 player racing games with skill, then buy it. If you’re not so sure, then rent it first. Those that get into this game can spend countless hours exploring every tower for secrets paths, hidden characters, and extra worlds.