Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Monster Jam delivers an action-packed blend of racing and stunt-based competition, putting you in the driver’s seat of fully licensed trucks like Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction and Bounty Hunter. Right from the start, you’ll notice that the game encourages experimentation—whether you’re attempting massive air time in Freestyle events or battling for position in tight stadium circuits. The responsive controls allow for precise steering, throttle management and well-timed jumps, making each event feel distinct and rewarding.

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Career mode acts as the backbone of Monster Jam, challenging you to earn career points across five event types: Freestyle, Track Circuit, Eliminator, Stadium Circuit and Stadium Racing. Each discipline tests different skills—Freestyle rewards creativity and combo chaining to rack up high scores, while Eliminator throws you into a cutthroat knockout format where every second counts. Progression feels meaningful, as unlocking new trucks and tracks gives you fresh tools to tackle ever-tougher challenges.

One of the game’s highlights is its fully destructible environments. Whether you’re crushing wooden barriers, sending spectator props flying or flattening parked cars, the sense of impact is visceral and satisfying. The nitro boost system ties into this destructibility—smashing objects replenishes your boost meter, rewarding aggressive play and encouraging you to keep the action going. This creates a compelling feedback loop: the more damage you cause, the more boost you can unleash for bigger jumps and tighter overtakes.

For those seeking extra challenge, Monster Jam offers two difficulty settings: Normal for casual players and Pro for veterans who want every landing and turn to count. On Pro mode, trucks feel heavier, nitro is harder to maintain and opponents capitalize on any mistake, making for an adrenaline-fueled experience. Overall, the gameplay loop is addictive, with a balanced mix of speed, skill and showmanship that captures the spirit of the live Monster Jam events.

Graphics

The graphical presentation of Monster Jam is solid, especially considering the complexity of rendering large trucks and destructible environments in real time. Truck models are richly detailed, showcasing realistic tire treads, vibrant liveries and subtle chassis flex as you tackle jumps and rough terrain. Textures hold up under scrutiny, from the shiny metal of the roll cages to the muddy splatter after a dusty off-road race.

Environments range from packed indoor arenas to rugged outdoor circuits, each with its own set of obstacles and breakable objects. Crowd models in stadiums add atmosphere, and dynamic lighting—especially during night events—casts realistic shadows that heighten the drama of your high-flying stunts. Particle effects like dust clouds, flying debris and tire smoke further enhance the immersion, making every collision and wheelie feel impactful.

Performance is generally stable, with smooth frame rates across most platforms. Load times between events are kept to a minimum, helping maintain the game’s fast pace. While some background details, like distant scenery or crowd animations, can feel a bit static at times, these are minor issues that rarely detract from the core visual spectacle of roaring engines and crushing power.

Story

Though Monster Jam is primarily a racing and stunt game, it weaves in a thematic narrative through its career progression. You start as an up-and-coming driver with only a handful of basic trucks and small arenas, then climb your way up to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals. This journey mimics the real-world trajectory of professional monster truck drivers, giving context to your on-track achievements.

Each unlockable truck feels like a milestone in your career, with licensed icons like Blue Thunder and Bulldozer representing the next step on your path to glory. Commentary and event introductions reinforce the sense of spectacle, often referencing truck histories or past World Finals performances. While there isn’t a deep storyline or character development, the game’s structure provides a satisfying sense of progression and purpose.

The absence of a traditional narrative allows you to focus on pure competition, but the link to the live Monster Jam events run by Live Nation gives the experience authenticity. Fans of the TV show and real-life tours will appreciate the nods to famous trucks and the grand finale structure. In this way, the “story” is told through your own victories and the gradual buildup to becoming a Monster Jam champion.

Overall Experience

Monster Jam succeeds at delivering a fun, accessible and adrenaline-charged package for both longtime monster truck fans and newcomers. The balance between racing and freestyle ensures that each play session feels fresh, whether you’re chasing lap records, outlasting rivals in Eliminator or building the highest-scoring combo in Freestyle arenas. The variety of licensed trucks adds an extra layer of authenticity that will resonate with enthusiasts of the sport.

Replayability is high thanks to the progression system and difficulty modes. Even after you’ve unlocked all 20 trucks and conquered the World Finals, you can revisit events on Pro difficulty or aim for perfect scores in Freestyle. The nitro-boost/destruction mechanic continues to reward creative play, encouraging you to find new ways to manipulate each track’s layout and environment.

While the game doesn’t break new ground in terms of narrative or open-world exploration, it nails the core elements that make Monster Jam entertaining: the weighty feel of monster trucks, the spectacle of smashing everything in sight and the thrill of head-to-head competition. If you’re looking for an immersive, high-octane racing title with a genuine Monster Jam license, this game delivers exactly that, making it a solid pick for anyone craving big wheels and big air.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10