Wave Race (Game Boy Player Capture) - 800cc National Series Circuit
37This is a capture of me playing through the 800cc National Series Circuit mode of Wave Race for the Game Boy. This is not an emulator. This footage was captured directly from my GameCube using my Game Boy Player with progressive scan mode enabled (you'll need the GameCube's component cables to do this and your model of GameCube must support component out as well).
I'm continuing to redo various playthroughs in 60 fps, so here's a new playthrough of Wave Race in its native frame rate.
As I recall, one of my friends owned Wave Race on the Game Boy back during the early/mid '90s, so that was how I first got to play this game. Wave Race didn't really leave a strong impression on me, but I thought it was decent game. I later got hooked on Wave Race 64 when I received my Nintendo 64 for Christmas of 1996, and I decided that I should get this game as well.
I probably bought my copy of Wave Race for the Game Boy around 1997 or 1998. I was in Best Buy when I spotted the Player's Choice version for less than $30, and I decided to get the game so that I would have a four-player game for my Game Boy. However, I didn't get to try out the four-player mode until a few years ago.
Unfortunately, while this isn't a bad game, I think it's the weakest in the series. The Wave Race series is generally known for its amazing 3D wave effects, which impact how you race through each course. But since this is a 2D game with limited graphical capabilities, it doesn't feature any of that. Also, without a slew of items in which to attack other racers (a la RC Pro Am), the top-view racing gets a little boring.
For this playthrough I completed the National Series Circuit on the 800cc speed setting. This speed setting is the only way to race on all 8 courses. I managed to place first overall, and since I earned at least 31 points, I managed to unlock the World Series.
I've read that the AI doesn't actually increase in difficulty in the World Series. It just requires you finish with more points, and it gives you the actual ending to the game. In any event, I don't feel like putting that much effort into this game, so I'm just showcasing the National Series.
Recorded with the Hauppauge HD PVR and the GameCube's component cables at a native 60 frames per second. I'm using an original model Game Boy Advance as a controller by way of the Game Boy Advance/GameCube Link Cable.