TOKYO - With Super Runabout for the Dreamcast as the third game in the Runabout line, you might expect some dramatic changes from earlier games in the series. But other than stealing the front-end menu system from Driver and bumping up the graphics a few notches, this Dreamcast driving game isn't all that impressive.

　　The main problem is the steering. Of the three cars available in the playable demo disc Sega gave out at the Tokyo Game Show, only the Vespa scooter handles well enough to make driving the streets of San Francisco fun. The other two cars are sluggish and incredibly difficult to handle, especially after collisions.

　　The object of the demo level is for you to find five bombs that have been placed on the streets. Your handy map will direct you right to the bombs, but getting there is half the fun. You earn points by wrecking into as many things as possible, but you must take care to strike a balance between earning points and keeping your car from breaking down.

　　You can break through almost everything you see. But lots of should-be obstacles aren't crashable, as you are allowed to drive right through (without damaging) light poles, trees, and even staircases in front of buildings. Though, with the handling as poor as it is, I was glad that I was able to pass right through these objects.

　　With games like Crazy Taxi on the DC, there's no reason why Super Runabout could be at least as fun and as good-looking. Super Runabout isn't on that level, so let's hope some serious work is put into the game before the company releases it on May 25 in Japan.