Nintendo 64's definitive racing game
Written: Jan 23 '01 (Updated Jan 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Immersively detailed and interactive tracks ever seen on the N64 since Rush 2
Cons: More tracks were desired
The Bottom Line: Beetle Adventure Racing is an excellent hybrid of arcade racing and simulation combined into the one and only solid and definitive racer for N64.
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| NMD85's Full Review: Beetle Adventure Racing for Nintendo 64 |
Although many hadn't noticed this game's pure brilliance, Beetle Adventure Racing probably lost a large audience because of the childish look and image the game put up. Sadly, who ever thinks this should be ashamed of judging this game like so. Beetle Adventure Racing simply takes the cake for being the best Nintendo 64 racer ever surpassing Ridge Racer 64 and other hot racers like Rush 2 or even Rush 2049. It's simply stated, the poor status of N64 racers bogs the whole department down dramatically. Especially with horrendous racers like Carmageddon 64, Cruis'n USA, World Driver, oh the list goes on. Well, for people like that, your perfect racing game has come, and Electronic Arts deserves more than kudos for it.
GRAPHICS: A
Assisted by Paradigm Entertainment (they had a harsh development history from Aerofighters Assault, but impressively, Pilotwings 64) they by no doubt made Beetle Adventure Racing a visually stunning masterpiece. While the graphics have a slight layer of blur and some pixelation, under that lies some beautifully designed tracks with immersive detail and imaginative expression. And even if you dispise the VW Beetle, this game makes them look a lot better than what they look like in reality. However, Beetle fans will mark it dead on that the Beetles in this game look smashing with a full sense of pinpoint accuracy from the specific rims they support to the little VW symbol on the rear of the vehicle. With a very light sense of slowdown in multi-player modes and some in single player. Even the "freeze-frame" 360-degree animated menus are enough to adore! No matter how you might see it, these are most amazing racing graphics ever seen on the N64 console with eye-candy to rave about for sure.
SOUND: A
The audio department is undeniably impressive. Beetle Adventure Racing's music isn't stellar, but overtime you'll learn to accept them. Mostly consisting of bass and drum tunes, it sounds boring but will eventually not irritate, or bother the player. The sound effects are mostly consisting of anything your car smashes into whether it may be a clay pots to glass windows to road cones, the sounds are above-stellar and very welcoming to the driving atmosphere.
CONTROL: A
The accurate control scheme will take a little of getting use to but once you've mastered the Z-handbrake handling scheme, you've got a basic technic down. Unlike most arcade racing games, Beetle Adventure Racing consists on the player using accuracy and skill to win each race by committing a mastery of the simulation-style control scheme. In a nutshell, the game is unlike Cruis'n USA, you must use the breaks and powersliding technics to keep a firm position. Without learning the controls, you will never win higher championships over Novice.
REPLAYABILITY: A
Whether playing Beetle Adventure Racing's captivating Beetle Battle versus modes to unlocking all six tracks and various enhanced Beetles. However, ever A-Class racer has it's drawbacks. First of all, the game includes nothing but what else... Beetles. In fact every car you have the availability to access are Beetles. Second, the ability to play only six total tracks that are quite a challenge to unlock. But once, you get these tracks, you have six of them, and thankfully EA included about a double-dozen amazingly outrageous shortcuts if more for each track. Now I've had the game for two years and I still haven't found all the shortcuts for all the tracks, there are that many. Even though the producers limit the track variety, they are gargantuous and they may even last as much as ten minutes a race! Let me just assure you, you will not find all the shortcuts in the three-lap limitation per race. Finally if you love to lone race, this game will suit you better than any other racer the N64 supports to 2001.
THE CONSUMER DECISION: I urge you, if you don't have a copy of this game yet, find one and buy it. The bottom line is if you haven't been satisfied with N64's less-than-stellar line up of racers this one will change your perspective for sure. Don't hesitate, buy this one today.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
NMD85
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Member: Nick M. DiMaio
Location: Connecticut
Reviews written: 183
Trusted by: 17 members
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