Check your local game store’s bargain bin during the 2000s and you’d probably end up swimming in bad to mediocre licensed games. ‘World’s Scariest Police Chases’ got consigned to that unloved pile of trash, but in this writer’s opinion entirely unfairly. Being a PS1 game released in 2001 surely didn’t help.

Based on the ‘World’s Wildest Police Videos’ TV series, this game is irreverent, high tempo and with just the right amount of challenge while not become frustrating. As a PS1 driving game, is it exceptional? No, but nor is it weak. The controls handle well enough although shooting while driving, which isn’t uncommon, is admittedly awkward.

The main game takes you through 20 chase missions, starting at Police Academy and culminating in stopping a recurring terrorist threat. Each mission is introduced and completed with narration by none other than Sheriff John Bunnell ret. himself in his classic corny, over-dramatic style. “A split-second or wrong turn can mean the difference between life and death”. Now, how’s that for introducing mission one where you must... drive around an obstacle course in a car park. Yet, it is here in how this game uses its licensed property where it really shines.

Tonally, ‘World’s Scariest Police Chases’ is absolutely perfect. If you were looking for a video game equivalent of the TV show, I really don’t know how it could have been much better. Even the music playing over the menu is high-octane to begin building the stakes ready for your next chase.

The first few levels have you learning the controls at police academy, practicing the skills needed before heading out to the streets. Once you’re ready you are then are tasked with stopping a drunk driver endangering a quiet, suburban neighborhood. “A three-martini lunch has escalated into a boozed-up joy-ride”. The chases then quickly escalate from a rogue bus full of innocent passengers through bomb disposal to taking down a stolen tank rampaging through the city. Some missions are obviously more entertaining than others, one or two requiring you to tail a vehicle can drag, but each, once more fits within the game’s tone to a tee.

Later missions can be relatively long with multiple sections and failure at any stage requires you to start the whole thing again. This can get annoying in some of the more difficult levels, but as a PS1 game, it’s really just a product of its time.

This game is absolutely worth your while. There has not been and there will almost certainly never be another game quite like it. More importantly it is just excellent, lighthearted fun. In a world that takes itself seriously at every turn, there is certainly room for more John Bunnell.