At first glance and play, Wave Race 64 seemed like it was a relatively short and small content game. However, the more you play and the better you get you realize that there is a ton of depth in its gameplay and progressing through the different circuits becomes a challenge that tests the skill of level and patience of players.
Being a launch/early Nintendo 64 game, this game was set to impress gamers with its clean water effects and level details. Gameplay is where the game really shines though. In order to master the later circuits and difficulty levels the player must gain an advanced understanding of the physics of the game ranging from the weight of the jet skis, the weight of the character you choose, and most importantly the waves. Depending on how you land and move your jet ski you will be able to gain precious fractions of seconds in corners that end up adding up and aid the player get through the most challenging difficulties. The AI can be infuriating in later difficulties to the point that it feels unfair, forcing the player to have near-perfect runs.
Other gameplay features such as waving through buoys to gain speed and performing tricks add to the strategy and replay value of the game.
Wave Race 64 may not have a huge amount of content but it really set the bar for gameplay in terms of racing games. For whatever reason, it has remained somewhat of an obscure cult game in Nintendo's history but for those of us who have played it and enjoyed it back in the day, it's yet another instant classic from Nintendo.
Being a launch/early Nintendo 64 game, this game was set to impress gamers with its clean water effects and level details. Gameplay is where the game really shines though. In order to master the later circuits and difficulty levels the player must gain an advanced understanding of the physics of the game ranging from the weight of the jet skis, the weight of the character you choose, and most importantly the waves. Depending on how you land and move your jet ski you will be able to gain precious fractions of seconds in corners that end up adding up and aid the player get through the most challenging difficulties. The AI can be infuriating in later difficulties to the point that it feels unfair, forcing the player to have near-perfect runs.
Other gameplay features such as waving through buoys to gain speed and performing tricks add to the strategy and replay value of the game.
Wave Race 64 may not have a huge amount of content but it really set the bar for gameplay in terms of racing games. For whatever reason, it has remained somewhat of an obscure cult game in Nintendo's history but for those of us who have played it and enjoyed it back in the day, it's yet another instant classic from Nintendo.