Wave Race

by Nintendo

Product Features

• n64

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002STI2
• Item Weight: 0.6 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: January 1, 1997
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,972 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Platform: Nintendo 64

GameSpot Review

Wave Race has both the honor and the unfortunate position of being one of the first N64 games released. While the floodgates have yet to open, one could say a hole has been drilled in the dam and Wave Race is the first thing to trickle out. And if that's the analogy, it's one hell of a water drop.

The scenario for Wave Race is fairly simple - jet ski racing through a variety of water courses. The game offers three different modes: time challenge, championship circuit, and stunt mode. Each has its own merits, but the championship circuit is the game's bread and butter. A two-player, split screen mode also makes for fairly good competition, but the smaller play area detracts from the drama.

When it comes to graphics, Wave Race shines. The water looks clean, clear, and smooth, and the animation is quite fluid (no pun intended). Players move in a very human fashion, and the physics of the game are realistic (although most of us have nothing to compare them to). And while Wave Race fully showcases the Silicon Graphics technology used in the system, it doesn't overdo it. If anything, the graphics are a practical application of textured polygons.

In terms of gameplay, Wave Race makes the best use yet of Nintendo's analog stick. It's exhilarating to feel the water under the jet ski, as it slaloms through beacons on the way to the finish line, with jumps providing truly visceral landings. Most games only dream of the advanced play control of Wave Race. Once players fully explore the nine courses, they'll really come to appreciate their intricacies. Wave Race may not have the long-term challenge that Mario does, but gamers will find themselves itching to play it for some time. This is a very solid game, in many ways the best racing game ever seen on a home system.

Wave Race 64 is the first in what is sure to be a series of superior N64 titles. The graphics are better than what you'll find in 95 percent of games, and the analog stick makes play control a breeze. With the release of the N64, gamers everywhere are salivating in anticipation of getting their hands on each succulent title as it hits the shelves. Delays are causing a number of titles to be pushed back, and gamers may be frustrated that so few titles are coming out. To combat that hunger, buy Wave Race - it will satisfy your appetite nicely. --Glenn Rubenstein
--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.

Manufacturer Description

You can practically feel the spray of water on your face as you race the waves in this jet-ski simulation. Stay on course through choppy waters. Maneuver around the obstacles in your path. Most of all cross the finish line before your competition without getting seasick. One of the most popular early games for the N64 Waverace64 continues to boast one of the most innovative and realistic racing environments ever seen on a home system.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jet Ski Racer, November 20, 1999

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: Wave Race 64 (Video Game)

Excellent Game. The graphics are totally awesome and realism beyond comprehension. Diffently worth the $$$. Stunt mode is great which allows the user to perform free style jumps, flips, and tricks. A must have for your N64 collection.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!, December 20, 1999

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: Wave Race 64 (Video Game)

Wave Race 64 is an exceptional title for those of us burned out on shoot-em-ups. It offers excellent graphics and sound with great realism and humor. The race locations range from tropical islands to freshwater lakes to artic ice. The music (unique for each location) varies from new age and R&B all the way to some pretty outrageous 70's progressive rock. Different play levels are challenging, yet not overwhelming. The stunt mode is great fun, and the two-player mode is great for spouses, since players can choose (and personalize, with name) both male and female racers. This title, along with Beetle Adventure Racing, are always popular when friends come over to our house. Sometimes we even let the kids play. Wave Race 64 proves that a video game can be challenging and exciting without violence.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!!!, August 15, 2004

By 

A. Hitt "Puck90a" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Wave Race 64 (Video Game)

I remember the first time I saw this game... What a beautiful memory. Even though the Nintendo 64 turned out to kinda bust, it was my transition from 2d to 3d games. My first experiences with 3d were with Mario 64. I first played Nintendo 64 at a friend's house, and Wave Race 64 was one of the first games I played. My jaw was hanging for about a half hour. The first thing I saw was Dolphin Park - swimming dolphins, fish, "splashy" sounding music, backflips, barrel rolls, and BEAUTIFUL water. It was too much! What a surreal experience! After I got back up from fainting, my friend and I played this game for HOURS and HOURS and HOURS and HOURS. We would go to Southern Island and tried to find what we could ramp over, go under, and crash into. It sounds pathetic, but I've had some of the best times of my life playing Wave Race 64 with friends.

I never actually bought the game. I was around 11 or 12 at the time, and $60 was hard to come up with. But boy, we would rent it and made use of the WHOLE 72 hours we had it. I'm 20 years old now, and being frustrated with today's gaming experience, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and finally buy Wave Race 64. I hoped to experience some of the joy I did so many years ago. I found it for $2.75 on ebay. It's still a great game, but it was a little sad to play it again - to see the out-dated graphics and all. I beat all the circuit classes in no time. Also, the guys I used to play it with aren't around anymore. Makes me yearn for the good ol' days. :*(

But I'll quit sobbing. This game is without a doubt a classic. It is one of the best racing games of ALL TIME. DO NOT DISAGREE WITH ME.

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