Beetle Adventure Racing! (N64) Playthrough [4K]
3"Beetle Adventure Racing!" for the Nintendo 64 is a racing game developed by Paradigm Entertainment and EA Canada, and published by Electronic Arts in 1999. It features the Volkswagen New Beetle as the sole vehicle lineup, mirroring its real-world release the prior year. Three models are initially accessible, and more can be unlocked through the Championship Circuits. It also has six standard courses, each featuring a variety of alternative paths, shortcuts and bonus items.
Players engage in high-speed races across various tracks. There are two options available: Single Race and Championship. In Single Race, players can engage in solo races against computer-controlled vehicles on any unlocked stage from the Championship mode. The Championship mode serves as the primary gameplay experience, featuring three circuits—Novice, Advanced, and Professional—alongside a secretive fourth circuit, the Bonus Circuit, unlocked upon conquering all preceding circuits.
Throughout Championship mode, players encounter different types of crates spread across each track. The majority are Point Crates, typically situated off-track within shortcuts. Accumulating points from these crates is earns players Continues during races, with 50 to 70 points required, depending on the chosen difficulty level. Locating all 100 Point Crates unlocks a new Arena in Beetle Battle Mode. Nitro crates provide a temporary speed boost when shattered.
Overall, "Beetle Adventure Racing" for the Nintendo 64 has great graphics, well-designed levels with varying sceneries, detailed car models and a multiplayer mode. At it's core it's an arcade racing game with some interesting and fun twists. There's a relatively limited number of tracks and the cars are limited only to Volkswagen models though. But despite the somewhat limited content, it's a superb arcade-style racing game.