Game Statistics

• 6 game modes.
• 7 playable characters.
• 8 courses.
• 3 difficulty levels.
• 5 storm levels.
• Single disk 1.35 gigabytes.

Game Design
Wave Race: Blue Storm is a perfect example of what a sequel should be. The developers of this game, Nintendo Software Technologies, took the game engine of the previous Wave Race 64 and improved upon it. In addition, Blue Storm features many options that were sorrowfully exempt from its N64 predecessor.

The main single player mode is the championship mode. The main premise of this mode has not changed, you race to acquire points and a certain number of points are required to qualify for the next round. In Wave Race 64, you would have to play each course in the circuits in a fixed order. In this game you have the option of selecting which course you race in each round. This new option adds a small element of strategy to the championship mode. One can strategically select which course to play based on the amount of points they need to qualify for the next round.

Another excellent addition to this game is the varied buoy placement on each difficulty level. Yes, I know all you Wave Race 64 fan boys are now saying, "What are you talking about, that was in Wave Race 64." The buoy placement in Wave Race 64 would only be slightly changed in for each difficulty level. In Wave Race: Blue Storm, the buoy placement is quite varied. It makes it seem as if you are playing on an entirely different course on each difficulty level. This game has only eight courses, but with the varied buoy placement, it seems like there are much more.

Wave Race 64 has a very small emphasis on course conditions. Wave Race: Blue Storm has an extremely large emphasis on course conditions. Each course can be placed on five different weather settings: clear, partly cloudy, light rain, heavy rain and stormy. In each weather condition, the height of waves and visibility change.

Many people will remember that Wave Race 64 only contained a two player versus mode. Wave Race: Blue Storm allows up to four players in multi-player mode. This game's multiplayer mode is good, but it is not the best multiplayer mode in the market.

The new additions to Wave Race: Blue Storm makes it an excellent addition to the Wave Race series.

Graphics
Wave Race: Blue Storm is one of the most graphically impressive games, in terms of environmental effects, that I have ever seen. All of the water effects and backgrounds are very realistic. The lighting effects during storms are especially effective. One of the neatest graphical features in this game are the water splashing effects. When your jet ski lands in water and creates a big splash, water droplets appear to be hitting the camera behind your character. It will also rain on the camera, very cool. The menu design is among the very best in video games. Character design is very good indeed, just not as impressive as the environments. In a racing game, you will most likely be looking at the environments more often then characters. The framerate never hitches-this game is very smooth.

Sound
The audio in this game is vastly improved over the Nintendo 64 version. Wave Race 64 did not have the best music. The composers at NST did an excellent job with this game's music. Instead of having an announcer like in Wave Race 64, each rider has his/her own coach that will speak to it during a race via radio. Each coach as its own manner of speaking; giving the game some character. The sound effects in this game are excellent just like the N64 version.

Control
The control scheme in this game is identical to the N64 game. Control sensitivity differs based on which character is selected and it is possible to adjust each character's control settings. At first, one will find controlling there character to be quite difficult but after a while, it will become second nature. Mastering all of the stunts will take some time as well. The graphical nature of the menu system may make it hard to tell which item is selected at first.

Satisfaction
Racing game fans and fans of Wave Race 64 will be in heaven with this game. Other gamers will enjoy it too. However, I should caution those who will buy this game simply for multiplayer purposes. This game is not the ideal "pick it up and play," type game. It is a very challenging game and players with experience will dominate over players with no experience. The championship mode is very difficult and will cause a lot of frustration but once it is completed, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction.

Replay Value/Game Length
Racing games usually last as long as you are willing to play them. With that being said, there is great drive to complete and win the championship mode on all the difficulty levels because courses and weather conditions can only be unlocked this way. The game is difficult and completing the championship mode will take some time. If you are expecting a large racer with the replay value of a Mario Kart game, you are not going to find it in Wave Race: Blue Storm.

Overall
There is no doubt in my mind that Wave Race: Blue Storm is a good racing game; it is just not the absolute best. If you liked Wave Race 64 or are a fan of racing games, you should definitely pick this game up.

Game Design	7.5
Mechanics	9.0
Innovation	7.0
Originality	6.0
Extras	7.5
Depth	8.0
Graphics	9.5
Character/Animation	8.5
Environment	10
Framerate	10
Sound	8.8
Music	9.0
Sound FX/Voice	8.5
Control	9.0
During Play	9.0
Menus	9.0
Functionality	9.0
Satisfaction	9.0
Challenge	9.5
Fun-Factor	8.5
Replay Value/Game Length	8.0
Multiplayer	7.5
FINAL SCORE	8.5

Review by Player Guy Forever

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