Beetle Adventure Racing
MSRP: $49.99
Number of Players: 1-4
Developer: Electronic Arts/Paradigm
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Reviewer: Douglas Rensch
When
Electronic Arts decided to bring their Need for Speed racing franchise to the
Nintendo 64, more than a few gamers were excited by the prospect. The company had just
released Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit, considered by most to be one of the
better racing games available. But then EA did something very questionable. They licensed
the new Volkswagen Beetle to be the car at the center of Beetle Adventure Racing.
EA decide to forgo the typical NFS Euro-exotica performance cars and go with a
“kiddy” game -- more Mario Kart than Gran Turismo.
EA enlisted the help of veteran N64 developers Paradigm Entertainment to help develop Beetle
Adventure Racing. Paradigm’s tools and experience with the N64 is well
documented. Paradigm is responsible for Pilotwings 64, the F1 World Grand
Prix series, and the upcoming Harrier 2000. EA did the design the artwork,
which was then sent to Paradigm to be coded. The game, in fact, runs on an enhanced
version of the F1 World Grand Prix engine.
Rather than go with a typical racing game format, or even the NFS 3 pursuit story
line, EA decided to go with a more "Nintendo"-style racing game. In Beetle
Adventure Racing, exploration is just as important as speed. As with all racing
games, the main objective is to beat opponents to the finish line. But unlike most racing
games, there is more than one way from point A to point B.
At the beginning of the game, two
tracks are available from a total of six. While this seems like a small number, the
variances and track length more than make up for it. You begin with the choice of three
selectable VW models, each with a slightly different look and attributes. You can of
course change the color of your vehicle. Eventually, like every thing else in the
game, more cars can be earned.
After you have picked your car, the race begins, the control and handling are actually
quite realistic. You have standard and auto transmissions, brakes, and the power
slider’s handbrake, all of which operate in a realistic manner. Once you face
the tracks, however, it gets different. That’s where it’s at in Beetle
Adventure Racing. The game has unparalleled track design.
The tracks in Beetle Adventure Racing are more than just the standard touring or
oval courses, they are living environments. If you see a side street, go down it. If you
see a jump, floor it. If you see a Tyrannosaurus Rex break through the side of the track
and attack you, dodge it. The designers at EA Canada have really taken the San Francisco
rush racing genre to a new strata. For each race there is a somewhat standard route, but
as you fly by the different areas, you see a weird side road, or a spot where you might be
able to squeeze through. Some of them are short cuts, some of them lead to secrets areas
with collectable bonus points (which open cheats), and a lot of them lead to big air. As
in Steve McQueen Bullit jumps. And there are several different routes on each track.
The graphics in Beetle Adventure Racing are excellent -- probably the best of any
racer on the N64. It seems that Paradigm’s reworking of the F1 World Grand
Prix engine is a large step up. The framerate is a constant 30fps or so, and
doesn’t bog down. With the amount of stuff going on at any one time,
that’s saying something. I wouldn’t be going out on a limb to say that it
is the most graphically varied racer on the market. Textures and modeling are good as
well. The VW models are true-to-form and the tracks themselves look great. You can tell
that the art teams had a great deal of fun putting together some of the weird things going
on throughout the levels.
As good as the single player game is,
the multiplayer options are worth mention as well. All of the tracks you have opened in
the single player game are available to race in multiplayer, but only with two players.
The two player mode's graphics exhibit a framerate drop from the one player, of course,
but remain relatively smooth and good looking. There is also a four player mode called
"Beetle Battle", similar to Mario Kart’s battle modes. Each player
has to collect 6 different colored icons spread throughout the arenas. You begin with 3
selectable arenas and earn 6 more in the one player mode. The weapons available in
"Beetle Battle" range from the standard homing missile and shield type weapons
to a special randomizer weapon that alters the view or controls of the other players.
It’s not groundbreaking, but it is a fun addition to the overall package.
Although there are an awful lot of racing games available for the N64, few are as good as Beetle
Adventure Racing. This is easily one of the best racers of this hardware generation.
While it may not have the car selection of Gran Turismo, and many may see it as a
"kiddie" game with boring cars-it really is more than what it appears. Track
design is at the crux of Beetle Adventure Racing and what makes it a special
game. The great tracks along with some of the best graphics seen in a racing game, great
control and a fun multiplayer package make Beetle Adventure Racing an easy game
to recommend as a purchase.
Graphics
9.0
Probably the best looking
racer on the N64 right now. Detailed textures, lots of stuff going on, and a smooth
framerate.
Sound & Music
9.0
Rocking
tunes and great sound effects. Some euro-techno stuff for the most part and it compliments the game well. The sounds
are top notch as well. Engines, squeals and "extraneous" stuff is on the money.
Control
9.0
Everything works just as it
should. Brakes, tranny, and the accelerator vary form model-to-model, but the realism of
the controls remains the same. And for seasoned players, the handbrake is a real treat.
Replay Value
9.5
Immense replay
value! The huge amount of hidden items secrets and branching paths really add to the
longevity. Mix in a wealth of earned cheats and the multiplayer modes and we have a recipe
for extended value.
Fun Factor
9.0
There is some seriously fun
stuff going on in this game, and once again an awful lot of it is owed to track design.
Two words: Massive air.
Overall
9.0
Beetle Adventure Racing
is easily one of the best racing games on the Nintendo 64 and probably one of the better
racing games to come out of this generation of software. It sports the total package:
graphics, sounds, control and the game play to back it all up. I highly recommend this
game.
When
Electronic Arts decided to bring their Need for Speed racing franchise to the
Nintendo 64, more than a few gamers were excited by the prospect. The company had just
released Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit, considered by most to be one of the
better racing games available. But then EA did something very questionable. They licensed
the new Volkswagen Beetle to be the car at the center of Beetle Adventure Racing.
EA decide to forgo the typical NFS Euro-exotica performance cars and go with a
“kiddy” game -- more Mario Kart than Gran Turismo.
At the beginning of the game, two
tracks are available from a total of six. While this seems like a small number, the
variances and track length more than make up for it. You begin with the choice of three
selectable VW models, each with a slightly different look and attributes. You can of
course change the color of your vehicle. Eventually, like every thing else in the
game, more cars can be earned.
As good as the single player game is,
the multiplayer options are worth mention as well. All of the tracks you have opened in
the single player game are available to race in multiplayer, but only with two players.
The two player mode's graphics exhibit a framerate drop from the one player, of course,
but remain relatively smooth and good looking. There is also a four player mode called
"Beetle Battle", similar to Mario Kart’s battle modes. Each player
has to collect 6 different colored icons spread throughout the arenas. You begin with 3
selectable arenas and earn 6 more in the one player mode. The weapons available in
"Beetle Battle" range from the standard homing missile and shield type weapons
to a special randomizer weapon that alters the view or controls of the other players.
It’s not groundbreaking, but it is a fun addition to the overall package.