N2O: Nitrous Oxide

by na

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00001ZWWT
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 5 inches
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,696 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Ever wondered what it feels like to ride around on the inside of a disco ball? N2O: Nitrous Oxide offers a sickeningly effective approximation, letting players pilot a Tunnel Runner ship through levels that mainly consist of twisty tubes with psychedelic light patterns flashing on the walls.

N2O is one of those old-school games that left us shaking our heads after our first pathetic attempt to successfully navigate the tunnels. The enemies just seemed too fast and too numerous. After an hour of practice we were in the fabled "zone," anticipating the moves of the enemy and effortlessly rotating around the tunnel walls as we racked up higher and higher scores. As with most simplistic arcade games of this type, N2O can get repetitive, but we found that it was perfect for a quick arcade gaming fix. Most arcade action game fans (especially those who remember Tempest) should find N2O's decent graphics, numerous weapon power-ups, and adrenaline-pumping soundtrack to their liking. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Nonstop, mindless action
• Tight controls
• Nice soundtrack

Cons:

• Repetitive gameplay
• Graphics can be a little sickening

GameSpot Review

N2O is a shooter in the same vein as Tempest and Nanotek Warrior. You pick from one of five ships, each of which has different turning and braking speeds, and shoot a bunch of eggs and bugs that travel through a large tube. While the graphics are decent, the only thing N2O truly has going for it is the soundtrack.

The gameplay is straight-up Tempest. You travel around the inside of a tube and shoot at everything in your way. If things get too hectic, you can slam on the brakes, stopping your forward movement for a few seconds, which should give you the time to clear a path. Once you've destroyed all the level's eggs, you progress on to the next tube. If it sounds basic, that's because it is. You just keep plodding on from tube to tube. Occasionally you'll face a boss to break up the monotony. At least the loading times are nearly nonexistent.

The graphics in N2O are about what you'd expect: a fast-moving polygonal tube textured with wildly colored cycling patterns, as well as polygonal enemies. The game has some pretty good lighting effects, as well. The game's soundtrack is provided by the Crystal Method. Many of the tracks were taken directly from their album, but there are a few remixes on the disc, too. The disc's audio is in redbook format, so you can pop it into any audio CD player and listen to the music. Normally this wouldn't be such a big deal, but since Fox seems so bent on pushing the game solely on the strength of its music, it's worth mentioning.

As a game, N2O is decent, but it really isn't worth purchasing. If you're really into the soundtrack, you'd be better off spending 15 bucks on the Crystal Method's album instead of spending ducats on N2O. --Jeff Gerstmann
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extremely Fun Game, October 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: N2O: Nitrous Oxide (Video Game)

This game is truly one of my favs. I believe that it does get kinda repetitive, but that doesn't really bother me too much with this one. The graphics are good, but what you'll really notice about the game is it's extraordinary visuals and lightning. It's also got the best soundtrack for a video game. Techno doesn't get any better than The Crystal Method.

You start out the game choosing between one of four different ships. Not many, but you'll find cool is that you can customize it with virtually any color and then give it a body pattern. There are 30 levels, which is really 15 and then the same 15 again but with greater difficulty.

It's a very simple game (travel along the tunnel and shoot bugs), but a very fun game nonetheless. Sometimes the speed can get insanely fast, making it very exciting. However, I never recommend anything, simply because people like different things. So check this one out for yourself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great - If You Want an Old-Style Simple Shooter, December 28, 2001

By 

A. Stefanski "just someone" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: N2O: Nitrous Oxide (Video Game)

I have to admit - this game isn't exactly bubbling over with plot, complex storyline, fancy characters, secret levels/tracks/powerups, or so on. If that's what you are looking for, then you should definately go elsewhere.

What this game focuses on is simple, addictive, ultra-fast paced gameplay with plenty of eye-candy to go with - not replace - good game play and mechanics.

It's rather simplistic - travel around the outside of a tunnel, shooting all the "insects" that are coming at you, while collecting the occasional extra weapon, avoid all the enemy shots/obstacles, and kill the boss at the end of each level. All that, while there are plenty of flashing lights and fancy visual effects, while the tunnel sometimes morphs and bends obscuring your vision, and while the game speeds up level after level after level...

It's very much old-style, and the comparisons to Tempest are somewhat accurate - with the Crystal Method soundtrack, and a comfortable seat, you should soon find yourself in "the zone", where you're more reacting than consciously playing - and that's just what you need to do.

If you have other simplistic shooters, you're not likely to have much room for this one alongside them - but if you don't have any, and want one for the occasional mindless game with beautiful visuals, this is surely it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Game You Play Till 5 In The Morning, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: N2O: Nitrous Oxide (Video Game)

The best thing that this game has going for it, is its sound track, that is completely made up of techno from CRYSTAL METHOD. But the game is HIGHLY ADDICTING, to the point you start playing at seven at night and don't stop till 5 in the morning. This isn't a personal experience since my friends refused to let go of the controllers as they were completely absorbed by the awsome visual graphics and the sweet sounds of Crystal Method. This game will literally put you in a trance. Considering the price that Amazon offers this game to you, you might as well buy it, then by the fifth time you go to your local rental store to play it with your friends and realize that you should have bought it in the first place and saved yourself the time and money. Overall just get it if you like techno, and Crystal Method is the Creame of the Crop to me, and action games like a simple shooter, besides, this game needs only one adjetive when you get in the higher levels and especially the bonus levels, PSYCHADELIC.