marty1982's Full Review: Cruisn Usa for Nintendo 64
Note: This review is for the game's 2008 Virtual Console re-release. The graphics in this version have been cleaned up a bit thanks to the Wii's progressive scan support. And the original's framerate problems have been eliminated through the Wii's superior hardware. Otherwise, it's identical to the N64 version.
Cruis'n USA seems to be one of those games that was panned by critics but somewhat-praised by gamers. When the Nintendo 64 version (based on 1994's popular arcade game) arrived in late-1996, it quickly became the lowest rated game on the system (at least until 1997's Wargods). Criticisms ranged from outdated graphics to ridiculously shallow and mindless gameplay. Yet, that didn't stop the game from selling more than 1 million copies in the US and becoming somewhat of a cult favorite among N64 fans such as myself. So here we are in 2009. Many more sophisticated racing games have come and gone ever since: Gran Turismo, Need For Speed Underground, and Burnout 3: Takedown to name a few.
So the big question is: Was Cruis'n USA really as bad as critics made it out to be? And if not, does it still hold up today?
Gameplay
Cruis'n USA is a straight-up arcade racer and nothing more. You choose from a selection of four cars (plus three hidden cars which, unfortunately, are almost impossible to unlock on the Wii due to its different controller layout, even if you're using the GameCube controller). You then choose either a single track or to "Cruise the USA" (which is basically the game's Tournament Mode). And then you're off to the races.
Oh, before doing that, you may want to go into the Options menu and adjust the control scheme. Blame it on the fact that it was one of the first Nintendo 64 games if you will, but Cruis'n USA has one of the most ridiculous control set-ups I've ever seen in a racing game. Which is even more awkward when playing on the Wii VC, whether you're using the Classic or GameCube controllers. You use the Z-trigger to accelerate, the C-buttons to break, etc. It's clumsy and seems like a shoddy attempt at "taking advantage of the N64's then-revolutionary controller." Fortunately, the game allows you to alter the control scheme to your liking. And, because of the Virtual Console's automatic record keeping, you can happily maintain your new control scheme.
Once you finally begin racing, you'll be amazed with what little skill is needed to play the game. The cars are unrealistically easy to drive, handling more like RC cars than real life automobiles. You could easily win a race without ever once needing to hit the "Break" button. What's more, the four different cars exhibit little difference in the way they handle. So which car you choose is basically a matter of which one seems most aesthetically pleasing to you. Unlike in the later San Francisco Rush, stunts and car damage are almost non-existent. There's no "Driving School" like in Gran Turismo, no "bonus tracks", and basically little incentive to play the game beyond just winning races. In other words, this is about as simple and mindless as racing gets.
Yet, in spite of all this, the game is actually quite entertaining. The track scenery is interesting enough to cover the rather mundane gameplay. The controls are tight and responsive. And the game runs at a brisk/peppy pace. If you're looking for a deep and sophisticated racing game like Gran Turismo 4, you certainly won't find it here. But if you're just looking for some cheap arcade thrills with an interesting concept (racing cross country), then Cruis'n USA will probably fit the bill.
Graphics
Having played the arcade version several times, I can tell you that the graphics in the Nintendo 64 version are pretty much the same, save for perhaps slightly better vehicle rendering. The polygonal tracks, while somewhat sparse, are visually interesting and often feature famous landmarks like Hollywood and The White House. The cars are well-modeled. And on the Virtual Console, the game runs at a brisk pace (compared to the more sluggish N64 original).
Now for the bad: Critics weren't lying when they complained about all the pop-up. It isn't unusual to see what essentially looks like an empty sky (as if the track is leading to an endless cliff), only to see a good 1/3 of the track suddenly pop up out of nowhere. Roadside objects, including trees, are basically 2D props that you can freely run-over. And don't even get me started on the cheesy sprite-based animation for the trophy girls (which looked bad even then).
Perhaps, in 1994, the graphics were pretty impressive (after all, the game came out about two weeks before Donkey Kong Country was even released). But two years later, they looked dated next to games like WipeOut XL and Nintendo's own Wave Race 64.
Sound
Many people hated the music in Cruis'n USA. I actually found it to be quite fitting for the game. It's typically cheesy location-specific music, ranging from guitar rock to techno. With a somewhat infamous country twang tossed in for good measure. None of the songs are particularly memorable, but they're fun to drive to nonetheless. The main problem? The awful MIDI samples used. Many of the songs sound off-key, and the instrument samples (even for a Nintendo 64 game) are quite poor.
As for the sound effects, they're your standard engine and crash sounds. Not bad, but nothing special. The voice samples, meanwhile, are typically-cheesy mid-90's lingo, courtesy of some roadside chick. Although one could argue that the obvious cheese-factor makes them even more amusing today than they were back then.
Overall
Cruis'n USA was a clear example of developers still trying to figure out how to work with the Nintendo 64's (rather difficult) hardware. Pretty much every problem that plagued first-generation Nintendo 64 titles was here. From an awkward control scheme (clearly due to the N64's rather unusual controller) to shoddily sampled music. Many of these issues were later fixed in 1998's Cruis'n World port. So one must seriously wonder why Nintendo didn't decide to "remix and remaster" the original for the Virtual Console release, as it would've made the game much more worthwhile to those who owned the Nintendo 64 original.
So is Cruis'n USA as bad as most critics claimed? The answer is a resounding, "No." It's a fun arcade racer with semi-cool graphics and an interesting concept. At $10 on the Wii Virtual Console, I'd say it's worth the download if you're looking for a mindless and stupid nostalgic racer. But if you're looking for a racing game with some lasting appeal, I'd recommend downloading WaveRace 64 or even F-Zero X instead. Both games offer better gameplay, more replay value, and ultimately more bang for your buck. Still, if you're looking for a game you can play in short spurts when the mood is right, then you can certainly do worse than Cruis'n USA.
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