Excite Truck

Last updated
Excite Truck
Excite Truck Coverart.png
North American box art
Developer(s) Monster Games
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Richard Garcia
Producer(s) Kensuke Tanabe
Keisuke Terasaki
Designer(s) Owen Justice
Composer(s) Kenji Yamamoto
Masaru Tajima
SeriesExcite
Platform(s) Wii
Release
  • NA: November 19, 2006
  • JP: January 18, 2007
  • EU: February 16, 2007
  • AU: February 22, 2007
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Excite Truck [lower-alpha 1] is a racing video game developed by Monster Games and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It features malleable environments and tilt-based controls. The game was one of the Wii launch titles in North America. [1] It is the third main game in the Excite series (following Excitebike and Excitebike 64 ) and the first to feature vehicles other than motorbikes.

Contents

Excite Truck is the first Wii game to let players select music, in the form of MP3s from an SD card, to be played in the background while they are playing instead of the music provided by the game. This feature is also used by Endless Ocean . [2]

The game received generally positive reviews from critics. A sequel, Excitebots: Trick Racing , was released for the Wii in North America in April 2009, and Japan in August 2011 via Club Nintendo.

Gameplay

Excite Truck does not use the Nunchuk attachment; it is controlled entirely with the Wii Remote. When first starting the game the player must go through a series of tutorials before they are allowed to play the full game. After finishing the first tutorial, both single and multiplayer modes are available. The player first starts with three trucks, but later on, they are able to unlock additional trucks by reaching various benchmarks. The game also supports split screen two player multiplayer.

Scoring

Crossing the finish line first is not the goal of Excite Truck, but rather another avenue for gaining stars. Stars are scored for a variety of stunts, and for the player's placement at the end of the race. A letter grade is awarded for each race, corresponding to the number of stars obtained, with the S rank being the highest grade possible. Getting S ranks in all tracks on the regular Excite difficulty level unlocks a harder "Super Excite" difficulty level. Getting S ranks in all tracks on the Super Excite difficulty level unlocks an even more difficult Mirror Mode level.

In single player Excite mode, all tracks have a required number of stars to advance further in the game. The player is not required to finish in first place as long as they gain the number of stars required during the race. Races are timed to prevent players from reversing back across high-star areas and completing the same stunts over and over again.

Winning races

In single player mode, the player receives bonus stars following the race depending on how they placed. These stars are applied to your score before determining if the player has completed the track's minimum score.

In multiplayer races, the player who crosses the finish line first receives a bonus of 15 stars. Additionally, once the first player has crossed the line, a 30-second countdown is triggered for the second player. For each second that the second player has not completed the race, an extra star is awarded the first finisher. If the timer expires, the second player is disqualified with no score.

Play modes

Excite Truck features several gameplay modes, most of them for a single player:

Racing areas

Excite Truck features several locales to race in, all which are, for the most part, based on real life locations. These locations include China, Scotland, Mexico, Fiji, Finland and Canada. The only course in the game that is not based on a real-life environment is a fantasy crystal mountain named Nebula, which, as the name describes, is a fictional environment located under a purple crystal-like nebula.

References to past Excite titles

The game is a spiritual sequel to NES title Excitebike and the N64 title Excitebike 64. The developers passed down and updated many features that made the original games popular. For example, the giant cliffs and jumps from the NES title return, as the courses feature many hills and cliffs that make the player jump unrealistically high altitudes with their truck. In fact, the main item of the game lets players change the land to make the levels even more "extreme" than they were originally designed. As in all Excite titles, it is important to adjust the angle of the vehicle so its wheels land parallel to the ground; in Excite Truck, a massive turbo boost is rewarded for a perfect landing.

A gameplay element also carried from both the NES and N64 titles is overheating. When the player uses too much boost, their engine will overheat, temporarily reducing the top speed of their truck. Driving the truck into shallow water will instantly cool the engine all the way down, so infinite boost can be used while in water. Also while in mid-air the engine cools down so a player could boost and overheat approaching a jump and then have a cooled engine when they land. Water can be either part of the course or it can be reached using a land-deformation powerup. However, the truck will be counted as "crashed" if it drives into darker-colored deep water, and it must be reset the same way as any crash.

Release

The game was first playable during E3 2006, and an updated build was also playable during the Nintendo Fusion Tour the same year, with four different courses playable. Prior to its release at the Wii launch, the game was one of the first titles to be playable on the first Wii Kiosks, along with Wii Sports and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess .

The game was released in the US on November 19, 2006, simultaneous with the launch of the Wii. Excite Truck was the 9th best selling game for the Wii during November. [3]

The game was released on January 18, 2007 in Japan, and in February for Europe and Australia. An Excite Truck themed toy truck was offered with Wendy's Kids Meals as part of a promotion with Nintendo.

Reception

On Metacritic, a website that aggregates review scores, Excite Truck garnered a score of 72 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [13]

Legacy

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl , one of the trucks appears as one of the obtainable trophies and some other trucks are stickers. Additionally, the music that plays on both the results screen and a replay video is one of the selectable songs for the stage Mario Circuit. This track is once again a selectable for the stage "Mario Circuit (Brawl)" in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U . The track once again appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate , this time playing on any miscellaneous Nintendo series stage.

Many elements from Excite Truck have been implemented into later Excite titles. Excitebots: Trick Racing , which is the sequel to Excite Truck, was released in North America on April 20, 2009, and shared most of the same game mechanics, including controls and core gameplay engine. The WiiWare title Excitebike: World Rally , also retained the ability to change terrain, color options for the vehicle, and the ranking system. Also, some tracks have backgrounds that are designed similar to Excite Truck.

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: エキサイト トラック, Hepburn: Ekisaitotorakku

Related Research Articles

<i>Super Mario Kart</i> 1992 video game

Super Mario Kart is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The first game in the Mario Kart series, it was released in Japan and North America in 1992, and in Europe the following year in 1993. Selling 8.76 million copies worldwide, the game went on to become the fourth best-selling SNES game of all time. Super Mario Kart was re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2009, on the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2013, and on the New Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2016. Nintendo re-released Super Mario Kart in 2017 as part of the company's Super NES Classic Edition.

<i>Mario Kart: Super Circuit</i> 2001 kart racing video game

Mario Kart: Super Circuit is a 2001 kart racing game for the Game Boy Advance (GBA). It is the third Mario Kart game and retains its predecessors' gameplay: as a Mario franchise character, the player races opponents around tracks based on locales from the Super Mario platform games. Tracks contain obstacles and power-ups that respectively hamper and aid the player's progress. Super Circuit includes various single-player and multiplayer game modes, including a Grand Prix racing mode and a last man standing battle mode.

<i>Mario Kart: Double Dash</i> 2003 video game

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is a 2003 kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube (GCN). This game is the fourth main entry in the Mario Kart series, following Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001), Mario Kart 64 (1996), and Super Mario Kart (1992). Similar to the previous titles, Double Dash!! challenges Mario series player characters to race against each other on Mario-themed tracks. The game introduced a number of new gameplay features, such as supporting co-op gameplay with two riders per kart. One player drives the kart and the other uses items, hence the game's title. Players can switch at any time. Double Dash!! is the only game in the Mario Kart series to allow cooperative gameplay so far. Double Dash!! supports LAN play using the Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter, allowing up to 16 players to compete simultaneously. There are 20 characters to select from in total, each of which with a special item, and with eleven characters being new to the series.

<i>Excitebike</i> 1984 video game

Excitebike is a motocross racing video game developed and published by Nintendo. In Japan, it was released for the Famicom in 1984 and then ported to arcades as VS. Excitebike for the Nintendo VS. System later that year. In North America, it was initially released for arcades in 1985 and then as a launch game for the Nintendo Entertainment System later that year, becoming one of the best-selling games on the console. It is the first game in the Excite series.

<i>Excitebike 64</i> 2000 video game

Excitebike 64 is a video game published by Nintendo and developed by Left Field Productions. It was released for the Nintendo 64 on May 2, 2000 in North America, June 23 in Japan, and June 8, 2001, in Europe. It is the second installment in the Excite series, acting as a sequel to Excitebike on the NES, and is the first 3D game in the series. Many real-life dirt bike gear brands are extensively featured throughout the game, such as Bell Helmets, Alpinestars and No Fear.

<i>Mario Kart DS</i> 2005 video game

Mario Kart DS is a 2005 kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was released in November 2005 in North America, Europe, and Australia, and on December 8, 2005, in Japan. The game was re-released for the Wii U's Virtual Console in North America and PAL regions in April 2015 and in Japan in May 2016. The game is the fifth main entry in the Mario Kart series of video games, and the first to be playable via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online service. Like other games in the series, Mario Kart DS features characters from the Mario series and pits them against each other as they race in karts on tracks based on locations in the Mario series.

Super Smash Bros. is a crossover platform fighting game series published by Nintendo. The series was created by Masahiro Sakurai, who has directed every game in the series. The series is known for its unique gameplay objective which differs from that of traditional fighters, in that the aim is to increase damage counters and knock opponents off the stage instead of depleting life bars.

<i>Tony Hawks Downhill Jam</i> 2006 video game

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam is a skateboarding video game in the Tony Hawk's series. The game, named after the level "Downhill Jam" from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, was published by Activision in 2006 as a timed Nintendo exclusive for the Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and Wii. In 2007, it was published for the PlayStation 2. It is a spin-off in which accompanies the release of Tony Hawk's Project 8, which is conversely available on non-Nintendo systems.

<i>Cars</i> (video game) 2006 video game

Cars is a 2006 adventure racing game published by THQ. The game is based on the 2006 film of the same name. It was released for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable in June 2006, with versions for the Xbox 360 and Wii released later that year. The Wii version includes functionality geared towards its Wii Remote controller and was a launch game for the system. Taking place after the events of the film, the game follows Lightning McQueen as he participates in the new racing season with his goal set on finally winning the Piston Cup. While doing so, he races and trains with the local community of Radiator Springs.

<i>Need for Speed: Carbon</i> 2006 racing video game

Need for Speed: Carbon is a 2006 racing video game and the tenth installment in the Need for Speed series. Developed by EA Black Box, Rovio Mobile and published by Electronic Arts, it was released on October 31, 2006, for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Windows, and Mac OS X, and on November 19, 2006 as a launch title for the Wii and in 2008 for arcade cabinets. The game sees players conducting illegal street races within the fictional city of Palmont City, with the game's main story taking place after the events of Need for Speed: Most Wanted and focusing on the player's character taking control of the city from various street-racing gangs. While the gameplay is similar to its predecessor, Carbon introduced a number of new features, including crews and racing wingmen, Touge-styled racing events, and greater customization options.

<i>Mario Kart Wii</i> 2008 video game

Mario Kart Wii is a 2008 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is the sixth installment in the Mario Kart series, and was released in April 2008. Like its previous installments, Mario Kart Wii incorporates playable characters from the Mario series, who participate in races on 32 different race tracks using specialized items to hinder opponents or gain advantages. The game features multiple single-player and multiplayer game modes including two- to four-person split screen. Online multiplayer was supported until the discontinuation of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in May 2014. Mario Kart Wii uses the Wii Remote's motion-controls to provide intuitive and conventional steering controls. Each copy of the game was bundled with the Wii Wheel accessory to augment this feature and mimic a steering wheel.

<i>Nitrobike</i> 2008 video game

Nitrobike is a dirt-bike racing video game for the Wii and PlayStation 2. It is published by Ubisoft and was developed by Left Field Productions, the developer previously responsible for, among other games, Excitebike 64, MTX Mototrax and Dave Mirra BMX Challenge. It began development in October 2006, and was presented by Ubisoft at its E3 2007 press conference in Santa Monica, California. Initially exclusive as Wii title, it was the first Motocross game for the Wii.

<i>Sega Superstars Tennis</i> 2008 sports video game

Sega Superstars Tennis is a sports video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. It is the second title in the Sega All-Stars series, preceded by Sega Superstars (2004), and crosses over characters, locations, and soundtracks from several Sega franchises, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Channel 5, and Super Monkey Ball.

<i>Colin McRae: Dirt 2</i> 2009 video game

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 is a racing video game developed and published by Codemasters in 2009, first for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii and Xbox 360, and then later for PC platforms. It is the sequel to Colin McRae: Dirt. Dirt 2 is the first game in the series since McRae's death in 2007 and the last to feature his name in the title. It is also the first and only game in the series to be available on a Nintendo home console and the last game in the series to be released on handhelds.

<i>Excitebots: Trick Racing</i> 2009 video game

Excitebots: Trick Racing, known in Japan as Excite Mou Machine, is a racing video game published by Nintendo for the Wii video game console. Developed by Monster Games, it is the fourth game in the Excite series and the sequel to Excite Truck (2006). Excitebots was released on April 20, 2009 in North America. Excitebots features animal-themed robot vehicles and short minigames during racing, such as pie throwing, bowling and soccer. The game could be bought packaged with or without the Wii Wheel, similar to Mario Kart Wii.

<i>Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing</i> 2010 video game

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a 2010 kart racing video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. It was released for Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, and Windows, featuring characters from multiple Sega franchises. The game is the third title in the Sega All-Stars series, preceded by Sega Superstars Tennis. A mobile version was developed by Gameloft, and released for iOS in June 2011, as a paid download. A version for OS X was released by Feral Interactive in April 2013.

<i>Madagascar Kartz</i> 2009 video game

Madagascar Kartz is a kart racing game based on DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar. It was released in 2009 for all seventh-generation platforms except the PlayStation Portable, as the second game on Madagascar's spin-off series. The Nintendo DS version was re-released as a multicart that also includes Shrek's Carnival Craze Party Games.

<i>Excitebike: World Rally</i> 2009 video game

Excitebike: World Rally, known as Excitebike: World Race in Japan and Excitebike: World Challenge in the PAL region, is a racing game released as a WiiWare title for the Wii game console. It is the fifth and final title in the Excite racing series, and is the first since the original Excitebike to feature classic 2D racing. The game was developed by Monster Games, and is their third developed game in the series. The title was announced through the NOA edition of the Nintendo Channel in October 2009, via an episode of Nintendo Week, and was released shortly after in North America on November 9, in Japan on February 2, 2010, and in the PAL region on February 5.

<i>3D Pixel Racing</i> 2011 video game

3D Pixel Racing is an arcade-style racing game developed by Vidia and released in 2011. The game was released as a downloadable game on WiiWare and in the App Store for iOS devices. 3D Pixel Racing heavily capitalizes on its graphical uniqueness. Unlike most 3D games, every object in 3D Pixel Racing is made of multi-colored voxels that are reminiscent of old 8-bit games from the 1970s and 80's.

<i>Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed</i> 2012 video game

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a kart racing video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. It was released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U in November 2012; for PlayStation Vita in December 2012; for Windows in January 2013; for Nintendo 3DS in February 2013; and for Android and iOS devices in January 2014. The PS3 and Wii U versions of the game were released in Japan on May 15, 2014.

References

  1. ↑ "Nintendo's Incomparable Wii Console Launches Nov. 19; MSRP $249.99". Nintendo. 2006-09-15. Archived from the original on January 15, 2007. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
  2. ↑ "Excite Truck Custom Soundtrack Confirmed". IGN. 2006-11-10. Archived from the original on 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
  3. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (December 8, 2006). "Best-Selling Games: November 2006". IGN . Archived from the original on February 6, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Excite Truck for Wii". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Excite Truck Critic Reviews for Wii". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Matthew Kato. "Burn It Until the Tank Runs Dry". Game Informer . GameStop Corporation. Archived from the original on June 9, 2009.
  7. ↑ Jeff Gerstmann (November 14, 2006). "Excite Truck (Wii) review at GameSpot". GameSpot . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Excite Truck Review". GameTrailers . Viacom Entertainment Group. November 20, 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  9. ↑ Craig Harris (November 15, 2006). "Excite Truck (Wii) review at IGN". IGN . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ "A BIG OL' TRUCK: Excite Truck (Review)", Nintendo Power , Future US, p. 110, January 2007
  11. ↑ "Official Nintendo Magazine", Official Nintendo Magazine , Future plc, p. 58, February 2007
  12. ↑ Rob Manuel. "Excite Truck review at X-Play". X-Play . G4. Archived from the original on January 18, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Excite Truck Critic Reviews for Wii Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "2006 Winners". Game Critics Awards. 2006-06-06. Archived from the original on 2018-10-24. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  15. ↑ "2007 Awards Category Details Racing Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Retrieved 8 November 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.