Nintendo 64 Wipeout 64 USA Wipeout 64 USA
1aGameplayWipeout 64 provides exactly the same weapons as Wipeout 2097 - down to the fact that craft fire three rockets at a time, and missiles can rear-lock - using the same symbols to represent them. The exception being the Plasma Bolt which is incorporated into a new scheme of craft-specific Super Weapons (it becomes the Energy Sphere, exclusive to Auricom). These introduced devices such as cloaks and energy drains are later made fully available in Wipeout 3. Available in this Wipeout version is an unlockable weapon power-up called the "Cyclone". This power-up strengthens your weapons. There is also the inclusion of an elimination counter that gauges how many opponents were eliminated in a race by the player. This is what paved the way for the Eliminator mode introduced in Wipeout 3.
Most of the tracks in Wipeout 64 feature mirrored layouts of circuits from select tracks in Wipeout and Wipeout 2097, set in different locations. Some conversions are not perfectly accurate, as some corners were eased or cut entirely, elevations were changed, and there were no split track sections. The only truly original circuit is the hidden Velocitar track, obtained by completing all 6 Race Challenges.[1]
Wipeout 64 is one of the few N64 titles to have noticeable load times, disguised by the request 'Please Wait'. Load times are approximately 3--4 seconds long, and as read in an IGN Review of the game: "In case you're wondering why there is load-time in between levels: according to Psygnosis, the short break is needed for sound decompression."
TracksKlies Bridge
Qoron IV
Sokana
Dyroness
Machaon II
Terafumos
Velocitar (Secret Course)
MusicDespite the limited capacity of a game cartridge, Wipeout 64 managed to fit 9 music tracks, mostly by composers Rob Lord & Mark Bandola (credited as "PC MUSIC" in-game), with additional tracks by Fluke and Propellerheads.
Race announcers bridge preceding Wipeouts and Wipeout 3 by having a male voice declare what weapons are about to be used against the player, and a female voice welcome players to the courses, announce in-race events and the result.
[show]Track listing
Fluke: "Absurd"Fluke: "Goodnight Lover (Wipeout Edit)"PC Music: "Chasing Radium"PC Music: "Feel At Home"PC Music: "Monolith Boy"PC Music: "Sonic Trip"PC Music: "Tomorrow Reborn"PC Music: "Miles Ahead" (Credits)Propellerheads: "Bang On! (Wipeout Edit)"
Reception[hide] Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings 86.12%
Metacritic 84/100
Review scores
Publication Score
Allgame
GameSpot 6.9/10
IGN 9.1/10
Reviews were positive - averaged by Metacritic at 84/100[2] - with an accompanying sense of surprise that Nintendo's hardware could present such high quality graphics and sound.[3] Nearly every review compares the game with F-Zero X which came out a month earlier, with the general feeling that while Nintendo's own futuristic racer offers more tracks and racing craft, Wipeout 64 has better track design and atmosphere. Despite being complimentary of Wipeout 64, both GameSpot and Gaming Age recommend purchasing F-Zero X instead.[4][5]
Opinion is divided on whether Wipeout 64 simply merges the good points of the previous two games [4] or is different enough to be considered a sequel in its own right.[6] Praised elements include 'prettier' [7] and 'grittier' [5] graphics compared to F-Zero X, although the 'explosions are hideous';[6] and music that 'rocks' [6] but, being short, can get repetitive.[3] Popup and a slow frame-rate are repeatedly mentioned but only as becoming a problem when the screen is split to 3 or 4 in multiplayer.[4][7]