Wave Race 64 was the first big game in the Wave Race franchise. Sure, the top-down Game Boy version released first but fans really start appreciating the franchise when it first landed on Nintendo 64. The game got a sequel on GameCube but it seems Nintendo is forgotten all about the franchise nowadays. If you haven’t played the Nintendo 64 version, you’ll have a second chance thanks to the Wii U’s Virtual Console. It’s worth getting for sure!
The gorgeous Wave Race 64
So the original game launched back in 1996 and was one of the best Jet Ski racers on the market. What 1080° Snowboarding meant for snowboarding, Wave Race 64 meant for Jet Ski races. The game was able to translate the complex sport to a console without a lot of polygons to work with. The result is just fantastic to see, even after all those years. The game doesn’t look that good compared to the games of today but when you realize the original one launched in 1996, you’ll be blown away by it.
Everything about the game feels polished and detailed. The maps feature small details like flying birds, impressive neon Kawasaki banners and a lot more. The developers really made the impossible possible on Nintendo 64. It’s one of those classics that can easily be replayed today and you’ll forgive the lesser graphics in seconds since there aren’t any graphical bugs to discover. Everything looks incredible but the water is the true highlight.
The visual effect of the water is just incredible, it was unbelievable back in the old days but even now, it’s a great example of how water should act in a game. It ripples and bobs at the right time and sometimes you’ll even notice some exotic dolphins swimming in the water. The way it affects your Jet Ski is very remarkable and comes close to how water acts like in the real world. Some stage offer more violent types of water where you’ll really need to get your balance right in order to stay put on your Jet Ski. The most brutal waves will kick you off your Jet Ski if you don’t take care. It’s very remarkable that the visual effects of the water are that strong, even today. Thanks to this, it’s still a very enjoyable game.
The modes
The main mode of the game is called the Championship mode and is comparable to those of Mario Kart and 1080° Snowboarding. You pick one of the four playable characters and race against the remaining three. All characters have their own skill and style, some are better at grip while other are better at speed for example. The four characters really feel different from each other so picking the right one for the job is crucial. One’s the race started, you’ll need to pass buoys at the right time.
A true classic
Those buoys are marked with a color, explaining from which side you need to pass them (left or right). If you succeed in this, you’ll boost up your power meter and your speed. The better you pass the buoys, the higher your speed and the more chance you got to end first. While racing you can also perform sick tricks thanks to the ramps to gain a little speed boost if you land your trick correctly. Like most other racers, points are granted depending on where you end in the race. Be warned however, in order to advance in the championship, you’ll need a specific amount of points. Didn’t reach that amount? You’ll need to restart the entire race.
The Championship can be played on several levels of difficulty and on different maps. The maps truly offer a lot of variation, going from a sunset island to foggy waters and big city canals. Besides the Championship, you can also compete in Time Trials to set the best time on a specific map or to learn every turn before you enter the Championship. The other main mode is Stunt Mode where you need to perform as many tricks in a set time to achieve new high scores. The game is also playable in a two player versus mode and that’s truly a recommended mode if you want to have a lot of fun. The visuals will be downgraded a little but the game still runs very fluently.
Great controls and incredible soundtrack
This all wouldn’t be that much fun without great controls. Well, Wave Race 64 really nails the controls. You control the Jet Ski with your analog stick to move it around in the water. If you want to make a sharp turn, you simply need to push the stick downwards followed by the direction you want to go. It sounds complex but after some laps it feels like second nature and it feels so much better than pushing an extra shoulder button (something modern games will definitely prefer). Performing tricks and jumps is as easy as controlling your Jet Ski. Analog stick and action buttons are both used to perform tricks and there’s a handy tutorial showing you every trick you want to master.
The last thing worth mentioning is the soundtrack. The game has some great songs. Varying from relaxing tunes to adrenaline pumping beats. Besides the scores, the game is filled with great sound effects. Both Jet Ski and water sound the way they should and the announcer isn’t afraid to yell some crazy motivational quotes your direction. The soundtrack is definitely what makes this game complete and what transformed this ‘smaller’ Nintendo 64 game to a classic nowadays.
Conclusion:
Wave Race 64 was a fantastic game when it first released on Nintendo 64 and it still is on Wii U. The Virtual Console port is done perfectly and offers everything that made this game so good in the first place. From the great water effects to the amazing soundtrack, it’s all here in this virtual package. If you haven’t played it before, be sure you don’t miss out on one of the best (probably even the best) Jet Ski racer on the market. If you have played it before, it’s worth replaying for sure!
