After some initial problems relating to button mapping and emulation difficulties, the Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack tier, which includes Nintendo's N64 library, is picking up momentum. Nintendo has released regular updates in order to fix these issues as quickly as possible. At the same time, it has slowly been introducing new games to the library. The summer months saw the addition of a couple of classic Pokémon games: Pokémon Snap in June, and Pokémon Puzzle League in July. Now, the growing number of classic games has been further bolstered as Nintendo Switch Online has added a new title to its N64 lineup: Wave Race 64.
On its initial release in 1996, Wave Race 64 was considered to be revolutionary, particularly for its use of water. Not only did the game make water look better than players had ever seen, but it also felt realistic in terms of the physics involved and the impact it had on the jet ski's which players were controlling. It's inclusion in the Switch Online's Nintendo 64 Library marks a great opportunity for older gamers to revisit the iconic title, or alternatively, new gamers who are unfamiliar with it to experience it for the first time.
Wave Race 64 Was Revolutionary
Wave Race 64 represented something of a watershed moment for Nintendo. It's transition from 2D to 3D gaming was one of the most significant moments in gaming history, and while the N64 launch title Super Mario 64 stole most of the headlines, Wave Race 64 released just a couple of months later to glowing reviews from critics. The game featured high-speed jet ski races across nine distinct courses. It made impressive use of lighting and graphics and displayed a variety of distinctive weather conditions to show off the early visual capabilities of the N64.
The title was initially meant to feature high-speed boats which were able to transform, but producer Shigeru Miyamoto ultimately decided to scrap that idea as he felt it would hinder the game's identity. The game eventually turned into a sequel to the 1992 Game Boy gameWave Race featuring jet ski's. Gamers are tasked with maneuvering the jet skis across the tricky courses, including traversing jump ramps, water buoys and other hazards along the way. The controls were responsive and precise, which made navigating the choppy waters an incredibly fun task.
The game, which many dubbed 'F-Zero on water', offers various modes of play. Championship mode allows players to choose from four different racers with varying attributes and compete in a series of races, while Time Trial mode allows gamers to compete for the fastest course completion time, and the innovative Stunt Mode tasks players to complete a series of stunts and pass through rings in order to accumulate points and earn a total score for each course. The in-race mechanics task players with passing buoys on the correct side, which will boost the engine power of the jet ski. Passing them on the wrong side results in engine power dropping. This is a clever little nuance on the normal racing formula which helps to keep things fresh.
The water itself is the star of the show here, though. It reacts exactly as it should, sometimes calmly helping the player's craft along and sometimes being incredibly choppy, which forces gamers to change their racing style to accommodate. Not only does it feel right, but it also looks great, especially considering it is now over 25 years old. Water was notoriously difficult to create in video game form during the initial transition to 3D games, and Wave Race 64 is definitely one of the best examples of a game succeeding so early on. With the game now available for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers, it's the perfect time to hop on a jet ski and go for a spin in this retro classic.
Wave Race 64 is currently available for Nintendo 64 and Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
