Wipeout 64

After months of speculation and rumor, Psygnosis has finally taken the Nintendo 64 plunge by announcing and showing Wipeout 64, the newest addition to one of its most successful series of games.

Very similar to Acclaim's Extreme-G, Wipeout 64 puts you in the cockpit of a futuristic racer (there are several to choose from) in which you must race and fight within six different tracks. Various weapons, power-ups and defensive gadgets are littered throughout the twisty and wild courses, while the fast-paced action pulsates to the beat of Wipeout's dance-style tunes.

The music was quite good when it was spooled from the CD-ROM on the PlayStation so it will be interesting to see how well it translates when being pulled from a more limited cartridge. You see, the version we played at E3 was stiil far from being finished, but once it's shipped, we are pretty sure that it will look slightly better than the PlayStation version. Even better, it will also include some new features only found on this version of the game (that perhaps will make up for the long wait). Among these are five new superweapons that Psygnosis promises will be made to look quite impressive by using some dizzying special effects, Rumble Pak support, and even more importantly, Wipeout 64 has a very cool four-player split-screen Multiplayer Mode.

With these new features improving an already impressive game, Wipeout 64 could very well shape up to be an excellent alternative, or complement, to Acclaim's forthcoming Extreme G2.

It's amazing what can be achieved in a few short months. WipeOut 64, which made its debut at E3 is due to be released in November this year--at which point it will have only been in development for eight months. Considering that most games these days take almost two years to produce, this is something of achievement. When we visited Psygnosis' Liverpool studio in the U.K. recently the version on show was a mere three months old and was already virtually complete. All of the tracks were finished, as were the vehicles and the underlying structure of the game. Incredibly, it's not even the original WipeOut PlayStation team working on the product... this is a new team working on what is effectively a new installment of the franchise.

This is no straight conversion of WipeOut XL... oh no. The 64 version of the game differs from the previous two incarnations in some significant areas. Obviously there is the multiplayer aspect on which we reported last issue (up to four players), but with the opportunity to look closer at the game we have learned the following, a) This is much faster than previous WipeOuts. The fastest mode with the fastest vehicle (Phantom II with Piranha) is mind-numbingly quick.Jn the pre-alpha version we played it was so fast in fact that the game couldn't keep up with itself. Sometimes when you crossed the finishing line it did so between frames of animation and failed to reset the timer. Obviously this will be rectified--but we're talking pretty damn quick here. Imagine five turbo strips in a line in the game we know and love...and then imagine what that would be like combined with a turbo power-up as well. You can jump almost the entire length of the track you're moving so quickly.

b)This feels more like a hybrid of WipeOut and XL. The tracks themselves aren't particularly twisty and turny...more smooth, winding and faster paced.

c) The special effects are going to burn your eyeballs out. At this stage in the cycle this is the main omission from the revision we played--there were no effects whatsoever built in yet. The team is adamant that the finished product will make use of "every trick the N64 has up its sleeve" so expect cool explosions with transparent effects and dramatic colored lighting dripping from every available texture.

This issue has seen an absolute glut of racing games finally reach the N64, and one of the st highly anticipated among them s to be Wipeout 64. As with V-Rally reviewed later on in this issue, jjWien the original version of this game peared on the PlayStation people ed it. If you're one of those people, t reads your magazines from the ick, then you'll already know that the 4 update of V-Rally wasn't quite lerything it was hoped it would be.

Thankfully, Wipeout fans will be relieved to learn that Wipeout 64 fares slightly better.

For those new to videogames, or perhaps just those who never owned (or just plain despise) the PlayStation, Wipeout is a game which has a lot in common with F-Zero X. Both games involve racing cars that hover just above the track. Both games involve tracks which plunge, dip and twist all over the place, taxing your driving skills (or should that be piloting skills?) to the limit. The biggest difference between the two games, though, is the Wipeout element of weapons.

Air-Raising Thrills

In F-Zero X, aside from the two not-very-dangerous special attacks, players are forced to rely on their finely-honed driving skills to succeed. Conversely, in Wipeout 64, while driving talent is still more or less a prerequisite, players also have the additional option of blowing competitors off the face of the track with any of the ten different weapons, while at the same time using various defensive measures to foil any retaliation. Weapons are collected by passing over the weapon grids which you And on each track, plus there are also boost grids which give a temporary burst of speed whenever you need it - which is all the time!

One slightly disappointing element of Wipeout 64 is the number of cars and tracks that you get within the game. Players choose from a selection of only five different cars (compared to the 30 in F-Zero X), the first four of which are immediately accessible while the fifth must be earned during the game. As for tracks, the game boasts a rather minuscule seven (compared to F-ZeroXs effectively infinite number of courses!) with the final one again needing to be earned before it can be accessed.

There are many different playing modes within the game, which goes some way towards making up for the lack of tracks. You can race in Normal mode, where all weapon grids and boosts are active and the point is to come first any way you can. You can compete in the Racing mode, where the weapons grids are switched off and -like in F-Zero X- your flying/driving skills and 14 other ships are the only thing between you and the finish line. You can race solo in Time Trial mode with only a ghost racer for company, and there are also several challenges in which you must race a specific car on a fixed track under pre-set conditions (weapons, no weapons, and so on). These modes add a great deal of variety to the overall racing experience, but they don't change the fact that ultimately you're racing the same few cars over the same few tracks.

Wipeout All Opposition!

However, where Wipeout 64 really comes into its own is with the racing classes. There are four classes in the game, Vector, Venom, Rapier and Phantom, and they are arranged in ascending order of speed. This means that the Vector races, while not slow by any means, are still the slowest of the game. As you move up through the classes, the races get faster, until you reach Phantom and the racing is so fast it's scary!

The best part of this is that unlike a game like X62, where as the races get faster the vehicles get harder to control, in Wipeout 64 the faster the races get the befferthe craft handle. This is because in Wipeout 64 there's more vertical freedom as you get faster, and the higher off the track your car climbs the better you can anticipate the bends. If you can keep up your speed without crashing, it's possible to have your car literally flying round the track, hardly coming near the walls and floor at all! And this is what makes Wipeout 64 so good. The more you practice, the better your car performs and the more you get out of the game as a whole.

Two's Company...

If the multiplayer mode were up to this standard, then you'd be looking at a 90%+ game. Sadly, although the two-player mode is great, the three and four-player modes let the game down a little. The player windows just don't show you enough to make playing with more than one other person anything like as good as the one-player.

This disappointment, combined with the fairly bad pop-up - which is nevertheless hugely less than the popup in V-Rally '99 - means that Wipeout 64 ends up as a great game, but one that doesn't quite fulfil its potential. If you liked Wipeout on the PlayStation, then you'll like this, although it has to be said that some of the tracks are scarily similar to the PSX version. If you've never played Wipeout before, then don't miss Wipeout 64, even if you've already got F-Zero X. No self-respecting N64 racing fan should pass up the chance to take Wipeout 64 for a spin!

Fasten your seat belt, strap down the cat and prepare for the ride of your life!

This issue has seen an absolute glut of racing games finally reach the N64, and one of the most highly anticipated among them has to be Wipeout 64. As with V-Rally '99, reviewed later on in this issue, when the original version of this game appeared on the PlayStation people leved it. if you're one of those people that reads your magazines from the back, then you'll already know that the N64 update of V-Rally wasn't quite everything it was hoped it would be.

Thankfully, Wipeout fans will be relieved to learn that Wipeout 64 fares slightly better.

For those new to videogames, or perhaps just those who never owned (or just plain despise) the PlayStation, Wipeout is a game which has a lot in common with F-Zero X. Both games involve racing cars that hover just above the track. Both games involve tracks which plunge, dip and twist all over the place, taxing your driving skills (or should that be piloting skills?) to the limit. The biggest difference between the two games, though, is the Wipeout element of weapons.

Air-Raising Thrills

In F-Zero X, aside from the two not-very-dangerous special attacks, players are forced to rely on their finely-honed driving skills to succeed. Conversely, in Wipeout 64, while driving talent is still more or less a prerequisite, players also have the additional option of blowing competitors off the face of the track with any of the ten different weapons, while at the same time using various defensive measures to foil any retaliation. Weapons are collected by passing over the weapon grids which you find on each track, plus there are also boost grids which give a temporary burst of speed whenever you need it -which is all the time!

One slightly disappointing element of Wipeout 64 is the number of cars and tracks that you get within the game. Players choose from a selection of only five different cars (compared to the 30 in F-Zero X), the first four of which are immediately accessible while the fifth must be earned during the game. As for tracks, the game boasts a rather minuscule seven (compared to F-Zero X effectively infinite number of courses!) with the final one again needing to be earned before it can be accessed.

There are many different playing modes within the game, which goes some way towards making up for the lack of tracks. You can race in Normal mode, where all weapon grids and boosts are active and the point is to come first any way you can. You can compete in the Racing mode, where the weapons grids are switched off and -like in F-Zero X - your flying/driving skills and 14 other ships are the only thing between you and the finish line. You can race solo in Time Trial mode with only a ghost racer for company, and there are also several challenges in which you must race a specific car on a fixed track under pre-set conditions (weapons, no weapons, and so on). These modes add a great deal of variety to the overall racing experience, but they don't change the fact that ultimately you're racing the same few cars over the same few tracks.

Wipeout AII Opposition!

However, where Wipeout 64 really comes into its own is with the racing classes. There are four classes in the game, Vector, Venom, Rapier and Phantom, and they are arranged in ascending order of speed. This means that the Vector races, while not slow by any means, are still the slowest of the game. As you move up through the classes, the races get faster, until you reach Phantom and the racing is so fast it's scary!

The best part of this is that unlike a game like XG2, where as the races get faster the vehicles get harder to control, in Wipeout 64 the faster the races get the better the craft handle. This is because in Wipeout 64 there's more vertical freedom as you get faster, and the higher off the track your car climbs the better you can anticipate the bends.

If you can keep up your speed without crashing, it's possible to have your car literally flying round the track, hardly coming near the walls and floor at all! And this is what makes Wipeout 64 so good. The more you practice, the better your car performs and the more you get out of the game as a whole.

Two's Company...

If the multiplayer mode were up to this standard, then you'd be looking at a 90%+ game. Sadly, although the two-player mode is great, the three and four-player modes let the game down a little. The player windows just don't show you enough to make playing with more than one other person anything like as good as the one-player.

This disappointment, combined with the fairly bad pop-up - which is nevertheless hugely less than the popup in V-Rally '99 - means that Wipeout 64 ends up as a great game, but one that doesn't quite fulfil its potential. If you liked Wipeout on the PlayStation, then you'll like this, although It has to be said that some of the tracks are scarily similar to the PSX version. If you've never played Wipeout before, then don't miss Wipeout 64, even if you've already got F-Zero X. No self-respecting N64 racing fan should pass up the chance to take Wipeout 64 for a spin!

2nd rating opinion

Wipeout 64 is fast, has excellent music and even makes a fair bash at a four-player game, but something's lacking. It feels a little bit dated, and the controls don't seem quite as well-tuned as the PlayStation game. F-Zero X is still the futuristic race leader.

It's Faster, Smoother And Harder Than Ever

There's nothing like a bit of competition for places. Which, handily enough, is exactly what we've got herewith three future racers of the very highest order appearing on our marble doorstep within the space of a month. One's significantly better than the others, admittedly, but even so... what we lack in Gran-Turismo-a-likes, we make up for here, eh?

Here's what you'll have determinde so far: F-Zero X powered its way to a tasty 91% in last issue's rigorous PAL reviewm while XG2 managed to notch up a perfectly. Which just leaves Wipeout 64. Third in the reviewing scheme of things but, by no stretch of a sizeable imagination, third in order of merit. As you're about to find out.

The Wipeout games have a history almost as illustrious as F-Zero. The PlayStation versions - of which there were two - were universally adored when they turned up on Sony's machine. Version 2097 was undoubtedly better, but both games took the template laid jlown by Nintendo's original F-Zero on the SNES and turned out a future racer faster, smoother and floatier than a rocket-powered skunk. Wipeout 64, then, is the next stage. Again, it's challenging an F-Zero game head on, and again it's bigger and better than before. But, can it possibly surpass Nintendo's latest thousand mile an hour traffic jam? Read on...

Well, I love Wipeout 64 to bits. Equally, F-Zero X holds a special place in my bulging great heart, But, as you'll find out if you buy, play and compare the two games. Nintendo and Psygnosis efforts are very, very different. Certainly, F-Zero X is kinder to the player, at least during the 'learning' stage. Wide courses like Mute City set you off on the right foot while the last three-quarters of the game - particularly in the shape of the hideously tricky Space Plant - are the Devil's own work. However, even when you're battling with the corners of Big Hand, the game never stops you dead You can skim off the sides without burrowing into your speed-o-meter and then top up the old energy in the pits.

Wipeout isn't like that. Most obviously, it only has six courses so, unlike F-Zero X, there just isn't the capacity for Nintendo's introductory Jack Cup. Which is why Klies Bridge throws you straight into the action... and exactly why Wipeout 64 rubs some people up the wrong way.

See, until you understand Wipeout 64 completely, the game will frustrate more than anything in living memory. Comers swing round without any prior warning, opponents cut you up and don't let you pass, you blow someone to bits than accidentally ram into the back of them and, worst of all, you stop... completely dead... every time you hit a wall. This, in particular, is one of the most nerve-shatteringly annoying video gaming 'things' in history.

Single Race

Vital in order to gain a meticulous knowledge of the courses, the Single Race allows you to play any track you want with whatever craft or class you fancy. And that's pretty much that.

Two-player

The speed of the two-player game is the most staggering thing, especially given the fact that the backgrounds and environmental detail aren't sacrificed at all. And, to get the best out of the mano-a-mano scrap to the death, you really need to get to know the courses properly. Once there's two of you with Qoron IV etched on your brain like an Ordnance Survey map, battles become fantastic. A bit of a winner, and certainly puts the likes of V-Rally '99 to shame.

Four-player

Psygnosis always fancied doing a four-player game on the PlayStation, so now they've finally been given the chance. And the result? Well, not bad. They've come up against the old 'speed/background detail' problem and in order to keep four craft rattling along at 200mph. they've had to fog up the track a good 'un. As a result, it's often difficult to gauge where the track's going and who exactly is who. Pity, that.

Race

This is as close to an honest-to-goodness Championship as Wipeout 64 gets. With six separate challenges. Race sees you having to compete against CPU opponents and finish in one of the top three positions. The difficulty comes with the fact that the computer determines what craft, class and track you'll race with. The challenges obviously get harder as you get further into the game with, for example, the fifth option pitting you against the pure evil of Machaon II inside a Qirex. Get used to seeing third as the first and second-placed crafts make mistakes about as often as Bobby Davro makes a genuinely amusing gag. The computer also specifies weapons for you or, for some of the challenges, takes them away completely.

Secrets!

Cyclone: After completing the Race challenge with a minimum of six bronzes, you'll find an extra option cropping up in the Game Configuration menu. Cyclone technology means every weapon you pick up is twice as powerful, taking out many of the craft first time. Going back to the Weapon challenge, you'll find this super-useful, especially as it virtually guarantees gold.

Velocitar: The seventh, secret track is actually easier than either Machaon II or Terafumos. In fact, after mastering both the aforementioned courses, Velocitar is a bundle of happy-faced joy. Chicanes adorn it and 90° bends and wide, wide corners live in perfect harmony. Our advice? Give the Qirex craft and Phantom class a nod and watch the game go whooosh!

The premier hover racing franchise slices its way onto the N64 with new features and classic gameplay.

Tomorrow's racing today

As fans of the PlayStation series already know, Wipeout boasts lightning-fast futuristic hover racing--something between driving and flying. Zipping around the grooved tracks as a member of one of four racing teams, you'll float over speed boosts and power-up plates, which will shields, an autopilot, and more. The optional cockpit view only makes it all the more intense.

Tuned up for 64

Although Wipeout 64 looks and feels almost exactly like the PlayStation's Wipeout XL, Psygnosis has packed the Nintendo version with tons of goodies: completely redesigned tracks, a new ship (the Piranha II). a team-specific "super weapon," a four-player split-screen mode, Rumble Pak support, and, of course, the wisdom of experience garnered from the two previous games.

Future imperfect

The early version we played already exhibited intense racing gameplay. responsive analog controls, smooth anti-aliased graphics, and the trademark techno soundtrack and robotic voices of the series. It also contained--are you sitting down?--loading times. That's right: There are brief pauses while the data loads from the cart. There's also a bit of pop-up and multiplayer slowdown. Hopefully, these are pre-production glitches that will be smoothed out of an otherwise strong contender.

Get ready for the fastest ride of your life: Wipeout is finally smashing its way onto the Nintendo 64. Wipeout 64 successfully brings all the flash of its PlayStation versions, while it also shock-waves gamers with new N64-only modes that will make this Out-ing an instant hit!

W64 rises to the starting line ready to rock with standard Single Race, Time Trial, and Challenge modes as well as a selection of five hovercrafts built for extreme speed. The developer, Psygnosis, didn't stop there: It also added seven brand-new tracks, multiplayer support for up to four speed freaks, new ship-specific special weapons, and a Weapons mode that challenges you not to finish first, but to blow away as many contestants as possible. To truly authenticate the Wipeout experience, the developers also made sure the excellent futuristic grooves, sound effects, and ingame race announcer all made successful transitions to the N64.

While Extreme-G 2 may match Wipeout in game-play variety, it simply can't compete when trying to match W64's sense of speed--and F-Zero X isn't even in the same league. If you want topnotch futuristic racing, Wipeout 64 is your game.

Graphics

Wipeout 64 sports sleek ships, and the highly detailed tracks include extras like moving cranes, jet streams, and revolving tubes. Furthermore, the frame rate cooks! The only drawback (and it's very minor) is that some of the tracks include noticeable draw-in.

Control

Wipeout's control is tight and extremely responsive. Plus, the analog stick makes it easier to navigate your hovercraft through the tight-winding curves.

Sound

The rockin' techno grooves simply kick, while the explosions and ingame weapon effects keep you bloodthirsty for more destruction. The announcer still retains the same cold, unsympathetic voice as he warns you of incoming attacks.

Fun Factor

Wipeout 64 has everything a futuristic racer needs; A healthy variety of tracks, slickly designed craft, weapons, numerous game modes, hidden goodies, and speed, speed, SPEED! This is a must-have for every N64 gamer's library!

Wipeout 64 is no mere port of Wipeout XL, blasting onto the N64 scene with hot new tracks, four-player split-screen action, and adrenaline-drenched racing that promises to make F-Zero X look like a sleepy bedtime story.

Rocket!

Wipeout's always reigned on the PlayStation as the crown prince of anti gravity racers, and now the N64's getting its fair share of thrills. Fans of the original games will definitely feel right at home as they guide wickedly fast hovercraft around demanding courses, picking up single-shot weapons to let loose on the field of 15 opponents.

Awesome new features like four-player split-screen racing and analog steering combine with seven new tracks and Rumble Pak support to deliver what already looks like a holiday hit. As for weapons, Wipeout pros can expect the familiar rockets, missiles, mines, earthquakes, and so on--but the game will also equip each of the four teams with a new "super" weapon that packs a huge punch.

Missile!

Visually, Wipeout already shines with slick styling, cool lighting and the edgy futuristic look that made the first games so outstanding. While the tracks are jam-packed with those familiar tight turns and big-air jumps, cool new touches--such as a rearview camera, overhanging trees, tunnels with wildly spinning walls, and steam jets that blast across the windshield--ratchet up the excitement. The sounds continue the series' tradition of excellence with thumpin' trip-hop tunes and that same killer British announcer.