One of the first games to tap into the anti-authoritarian aspects of the Citizen's Band (CB) radio craze, "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" is basically a movie-length car chase and a pleasantly insipid slice of late-'70's Americana. The tissue-thin plot has good ole boy pals running a load of fosters cross-country on a tight deadline while trying to avoid an assortment of less-than-bright cops.

The player jumps into the part of "the trucker", a heart-throb for all white-trash trailer dwelling women, to a tee. SCS Software does an impeccable job of bringing to life the role of the backwards southern lifestyle. The soundtrack was an instant classic, combining folk, bluegrass and country, and leaving the player with an urge to recite the lyrics for days after. As you can tell by my gamer handle screen name, I love this game. I do regard this video game as an all time favorite, VGA material? Certainly not. But who cares. A must play for all serious game players.

2/10