Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Starsky & Hutch delivers a unique blend of high-octane arcade racing and light-gun shooting, wrapped in a 1970s cop-show aesthetic. Players step into the shoes of Dave Starsky behind the wheel, while Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson mans the side-mounted shotgun, automatically aiming at oncoming perps in single-player mode. On PS2 and Xbox, a second player can join in, using either a light gun or a standard controller to take direct control of Hutch’s firepower. This cooperative element gives the title an extra layer of fun, turning a chase into a two-player cat-and-mouse spectacle.

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The core of the experience lies in its 18 episodic missions, each one introduced by Antonio “Huggy Bear” Fargas in full-blown 70s style. Every mission tasks you with chasing down a criminal’s ride, racking up viewers with daring near-misses, barrel rolls, and precision gunplay. You’ll also hunt down secondary targets—stray getaway drivers or weapon caches—scattered across each level. Success is measured in gold, silver, or bronze medals based on how ratings-friendly your performance is, and you’ll need to earn a minimum number of medals in Season 1 to unlock Season 2, and similarly for a third season.

Beyond the story missions, Starsky & Hutch offers a free-roaming mode in a GTA-esque city environment, complete with neon-lit streets, seedy back alleys, and booming highways. This sandbox encourages exploration—hunt for random criminal sprees, pull off stunt jumps over ramps, or simply roam until trouble finds you. The open world isn’t as dense as a dedicated sandbox title, but it’s sprawling enough to let you unwind between structured episodes.

The balance between racing and shooting feels deliberate and entertaining, though some players may find the auto-aim in single-player too forgiving, reducing the challenge of gunning down bad guys while weaving through traffic. Conversely, the patrol of civilian vehicles adds tension—hit a bystander and you’ll lose precious viewers. Ultimately, the mission variety and stunt-based scoring system keep you coming back for “just one more episode.”

Graphics

Visually, Starsky & Hutch captures the greasy, sun-baked look of the original TV series and the tie-in film. Car models are blocky yet charmingly faithful to the iconic red-and-white Gran Torino, and the gritty urban backdrops brim with period-correct signage and neon glow. Each level is distinct—whether you’re racing across a desert highway or weaving through a coastal boardwalk, the environments feel purpose-built to showcase your car’s suspension prowess and Hutch’s fire-power.

Textures and draw distances are serviceable for a mid-2000s release, though pop-in of distant objects can occur when you’re whipping around corners at top speed. Special effects—smoke trails, crashes, and muzzle flashes—are bold and over-the-top, fitting the arcade style. The slow-motion crash replays and camera angles during big jumps add cinematic flair, while the occasional frame-rate dip during heavily scripted chase set pieces can remind you that you’re inside a console from the pre-HD era.

Character models make their appearance mainly in cutscenes introduced by Huggy Bear, and while they lack the subtleties of modern polygons, their exaggerated gestures and laid-back banter inject authentic 70s vibe into the proceedings. Lighting is simple but effective: dusty sunsets, flickering street lamps, and sizzling tire skids leave you feeling like you’re part of an episode straight off the studio lot.

Overall, the graphics won’t win awards for realism, but they deliver a stylized, pulpy ride that suits the arcade-action focus. If you’re looking for photorealism, look elsewhere—but if you want a bold, retro aesthetic that supports fast cars and gunfire, Starsky & Hutch hits the mark.

Story

Starsky & Hutch doesn’t offer a deep, branching narrative but rather a series of self-contained “episodes” that mirror the structure of the 70s television series. Each mission is introduced by the charismatic Antonio “Huggy Bear” Fargas, whose quips and commentary set the stage for the car chases to come. This episodic design means you can jump into individual missions without worrying about lost plot threads, making it easy to pick up and play.

The playful meta twist—that Starsky and Hutch are actually shooting a TV show—adds a layer of comic relief and justification for the over-the-top stunts. The “viewers” meter doubles as both health and score, feeding into the idea that you’re performing for ratings rather than strictly fighting crime. Missing a civilian and losing viewers feels like a tongue-in-cheek nod to network sensitivities, while pulling off huge jumps and nail-biting pursuits ties directly into the show’s need for higher Nielsen numbers.

While you won’t find dramatic character arcs or emotional weight, the game’s light narrative serves as a backdrop for its arcade thrills. The criminal-of-the-week format is familiar and breezy, and with 18 distinct episodes, you’ll face everyone from bank robbers to drug runners. Secondary objectives—like smashing weapon caches or rescuing trapped hostages—add side-story beats, but the emphasis remains firmly on chase sequences and stunt points.

Ultimately, the story is a framework rather than a centerpiece. If you crave a deep, character-driven saga, you may come away a bit underwhelmed. But if you’re seeking a dose of retro policing with a wink, the game’s narrative setup offers just enough context and charm to propel each mission.

Overall Experience

Starsky & Hutch is a high-energy arcade racer with a unique “shoot-’em-up” twist, wrapped in 1970s cop-crime nostalgia. The mission-based structure, combined with sandbox exploration, provides a satisfying blend of linear challenges and open-world hijinks. Its approachable mechanics make it a fun pick-up-and-play title, while the medal-based progression system gives completionists a reason to refine their driving and shooting skills.

The cooperative two-player mode stands out as the highlight for many: one player handles the throttle while the other locks onto targets, fostering genuine teamwork and laughter as you barrel-roll into traffic or leap off ramps. Single-player auto-aim keeps things moving but lacks the precision that could make every firefight more strategic. Still, the balance between risk (hitting civilians) and reward (impressing viewers) adds a layer of tactical decision-making to otherwise frantic pursuits.

Audio design, from funky 70s soundtrack cues to the crackle of a shotgun blast, complements the visual style, though voice lines can become repetitive over extended play. Load times are generally quick, and mission restarts are forgiving, encouraging experimentation with different stunt paths and target strategies. Free-roam mode may not rival the depth of full-blown sandbox racers, but it provides a welcome break from structured episodes and a place to hone your drifting technique.

For fans of classic cop shows, arcade racing, or cooperative couch play, Starsky & Hutch offers a breezy, adrenaline-pumped ride. It isn’t without technical quirks, and the narrative won’t rival your favorite binge-worthy drama, but as a nostalgia-fueled, stunt-laden diversion, it stands out among mid-2000s licensed titles. If you’re in the market for fast cars, big jumps, and retro TV-show charm, this game has plenty of horsepower to satisfy your inner Starsky & Hutch enthusiast.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10