Excitebike 64

Last updated

Excitebike 64
Excitebike64cover.jpg
North American N64 box art
Developer(s) Left Field Productions
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Producer(s) James Maxwell
Programmer(s) Sam Baker
Mike Lamb
Ben Stragnell
Artist(s) Jon Evans
Allan Hayburn
Richie Romero
George Simmons
Composer(s) Matt Furniss
Chris Lamb
SeriesExcite
Platform(s) Nintendo 64, iQue Player
ReleaseNintendo 64
  • NA: May 2, 2000 [1]
  • JP: June 23, 2000
  • EU: June 8, 2001
iQue Player
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Excitebike 64 [a] is a racing video game developed by Left Field Productions and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released 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.

Contents

The game received positive reviews from critics and was later re-released for Wii U via the Virtual Console in 2016. It was also re-released on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on August 30, 2023. [2] A third game in the series, Excite Truck , was released in 2006 for the Wii.

Gameplay

Top: Canyon Chasm track with stunt, Excite 3D, Editor original Excitebike Bottom: Soccer, Desert Track, Track Editor Excitebike64,Modes&Features.png
Top: Canyon Chasm track with stunt, Excite 3D, Editor original Excitebike
Bottom: Soccer, Desert Track, Track Editor

Players can choose from one of six riders, each with their own pre-set handling attributes. Players control the bike by using either the control stick or D-pad. They can use the gamepad to accelerate, brake, slide and use turbo boost. As in the original, holding down gives the player more air on jumps, while holding up aims the front wheel forward to enable landing on slopes. The player can also tilt the bike to the side while in the air, to adjust the angle at which they hit the turns, and can sideswipe their opponents. [3] Besides the tracks main course many of the levels have hidden shortcuts, that require the player to slow down and change direction, or use a speed boost for jumping over chasms, from hill to hill, over other vehicles and buildings, choosing to follow the original game in its "extreme" jumps and physics.

Features

The main game features a 20-track season mode. Completing races unlocks more tracks and features. There is a tutorial that teaches players how to play through the 17 different tracks. There are a variety of exhibitions and time trial modes that lets players do more activities other than the main game. A major feature is the track editor, where players can create their own fully functional track and save it into the game. The announcer, Limua, shouts out the tricks and crashes throughout the race. Also featured is an emulated version of the original Excitebike and a 3D remake of it with the same obstacles called Excite 3D. There are also several other mini games such as a Stunt Course, Hill Climb, a Soccer game with a giant human sized soccer ball, and an "infinite, randomly generated" Desert Track where the player needs to put out ten campfires by driving over them, which Nintendo Power called "one of the coolest concepts ever". [4] As bonus features to the game, cheat modes were introduced, requiring the player to press buttons in a certain order to unlock a hidden "Cheats Menu". From there they could enter passwords that unlocked additional features, such as Invisible riders, Big heads, Debug mode, Midnight mode and even unlocking a picture of the programmers in the game's credits. [5]

Development

While in development some of the main features they concentrated on were the game's sense of speed, the jumps and the ability to perform tricks, similar to the original game, as well as taking inspiration from the earlier released Wave Race 64 . [6] To recreate the riders' movements and tricks the developers used a technique called 'inverse kinematics' to create a life like feel. [6] While other parts of the tracks were littered with bumps, log bridges and streams to run through. Using the N64's Rumble Pak allowed the player to feel these game experiences, as well as such things as making a hard landing. [6] Besides the standard tracks, several mini games were also added as unlockable content. The Desert Track was fractally generated for an endless desert, but despite the random building of its dunes, it also keeps the current configuration in the game's memory, allowing the player to return to the same spot that they once left. [6] The game was revealed by Nintendo to the public at the pre-E3 conference on May 12, 1999. [7] The game was shown playable the next day.

Reception

The game received "generally favorable reviews", just two points shy of "universal acclaim", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40. [14]

N64 Magazine mentioned the low quality of other similar games released around the same time and said: "After the lackluster efforts of Jeremy McGrath and Supercross 2000 , we now have an intelligent racer." [3] IGN commended the game for its "fantastic 3D engine, delightfully realistic physics, intuitive control, brilliantly detailed graphics, ingenious subtleties and tons of options". [21] Levi Buchanan of GameFan stated: "In addition to the superb animation, the game sounds awesome... Its dirt bikes actually sound like the real thing--none of that high-pitched tin squeal you'll find in other sub-par racers." [16] Michael Wolf of NextGen said, "With all the secrets and special tracks, not to mention the realistic physics that'll make you wince during crashes, this is one motocross racing game that will entertain for hours on end." [23] The Freshman of GamePro said of the game in one review, "It could have been so much more, but Excitebike 64 manages to be only the latest motocross game whose reoccurring bugs mar an otherwise excellent racing game. Various unlocked extras make Excitebike 64 a truckload of fun, but it's playing to get those goodies that kicks up the dirt." [25] [d] In another GamePro review, Dan Elektro said, "While you can't help but feel that Excitebike 64 is a few tweaks short of greatness, it's still a quality, enjoyable ride." [26] [e]

While the game received high praise, certain publications voiced complaints. GameCritics said, "The game isn't perfect — I would have liked even more tracks to race on as well as a few more racers." [27] GameSpot opined, "Some will cry about the frame rate, and some will wish the game featured real riders." [19]

Another problem the game encountered was that it was one of the last games released for the N64 in Europe, having been released there over a year later than the Japan and U.S. releases. The delay was due to Nintendo's struggle to keep up with the demand for the games Pokémon Stadium and Perfect Dark . [28] This led some to feel that it was released too late in the system's life and if it "had appeared earlier... it would have been a bigger hit". [29]

Nonetheless, the game ultimately went on to sell approximately two million units, according to information provided by former employees of Left Field Productions. [30]

The game was nominated for the "N64 Game of the Year" award at The Electric Playground 's Blister Awards 2000, which went to Perfect Dark. [31]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: エキサイトバイク 64, Hepburn: Ekisaitobaiku Rokujūyon
  2. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 9.5/10, 9/10, and 8.5/10.
  3. ↑ In GameFan 's viewpoint of the game, three critics gave it each a score of 75, 90, and 81.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 3.5/5 for control, and 4/5 for fun factor in one review.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the game three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for sound in another review.

Related Research Articles

<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>Gauntlet Legends</i> 1998 video game

Gauntlet Legends is an arcade game released in 1998 by Atari Games and Midway Games. It is a fantasy themed hack and slash styled dungeon crawl game, a sequel to 1985's popular Gauntlet and 1986's Gauntlet II and marks the final game in the series to be produced by Atari Games. Its unusual features for an arcade game included passwords and characters that could be saved, enabling players to play over the course of a long period.

<i>San Francisco Rush 2049</i> 1999 video game

San Francisco Rush 2049 is a 1999 futuristic-themed racing video game developed and manufactured by Atari Games for arcades, later ported to home systems. It is the third game in the Rush series as the sequel to San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing and Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA as well as the last to be set in the city of San Francisco. An updated version with fixes and more tracks was later released subtitled Tournament Edition. The game was notably also the last coin-op title rooted to the original Atari arcade business and Atari brand, 27 years after Pong.

<i>Ridge Racer 64</i> 2000 video game

Ridge Racer 64 is an arcade-style racing video game developed by Nintendo Software Technology for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. It is the first title of Namco's Ridge Racer series on a Nintendo system and was produced under license; however this game was not released in Japan, which may have been attributed to poor sales of the Nintendo 64 there. In 2004, the game was ported and remade for the Nintendo DS as Ridge Racer DS, which uses the system's features such as the touch-screen and wireless multi-player. Additionally, Gina Cavalli from R: Racing Evolution replaced Reiko Nagase as the mascot in the DS version. The DS version also was not released in Japan.

<i>Hydro Thunder</i> 1999 video game

Hydro Thunder is an arcade inshore powerboat racing video game originally released by Midway Games in February 1999 and later released for the Sega Dreamcast as a launch title later that year. It was also released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in early 2000. This game is part of Midway's Thunder series of racing games, which includes Offroad Thunder, 4 Wheel Thunder, and Arctic Thunder. Hydro Thunder Hurricane, a sequel to Hydro Thunder, was later released for the Xbox 360 on July 27, 2010 on Xbox Live Arcade.

<i>WCW Mayhem</i> (video game) 1999 video game

WCW Mayhem is a professional wrestling video game published by Electronic Arts (EA), based on the American promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The first WCW game produced by EA, it was released for Nintendo 64 and PlayStation in 1999 and for the Game Boy Color the following year.

<i>Re-Volt</i> 1999 video game

Re-Volt is a racing video game designed by Paul Phippen and Simon Harrison. It was developed by Acclaim Studios London and published by Acclaim Entertainment for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation and Dreamcast.

<i>South Park: Chefs Luv Shack</i> 1999 game show-style party video game

South Park: Chef's Luv Shack is a 2D game show-style party video game and is a sequel to the 1998 video game South Park, itself based on the American animated sitcom of the same name. Developed by Acclaim Studios Austin and published by Acclaim Entertainment, it was released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Its gameplay involves playing minigames and the ability to play against other players in a challenge for the most points. It also involves trivia questions about South Park and other topics.

<i>Lego Racers</i> 1999 racing video game

Lego Racers is a 1999 Lego-themed kart racing video game developed by High Voltage Software and published by Lego Media for Microsoft Windows, followed by console ports to Nintendo 64 and PlayStation. Set in the fictional "Legoland" universe, the single-player mode follows various minifigure characters competing in a racing competition created by a fictional racing champion called Rocket Racer.

<i>South Park Rally</i> 2000 kart-style racing video game

South Park Rally is a kart-style racing video game released in early 2000 based on the American animated sitcom South Park published by Acclaim Entertainment and released for the PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, and Dreamcast. Gameplay follows the player in a competitive racing championship set in the fictional town of South Park. Players are given the options for multiplayer, arcade, or championship modes, but only the championship unlocks extra features. Competition begins in South Park's 1st Rally, a circuit race around four checkpoints in the downtown area of South Park. Races get gradually more diverse, with more locations, racers, and elements added as the game progresses.

<i>Excite Truck</i> Racing video game first published by Nintendo in 2006

Excite Truck 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. It is the third main game in the Excite series and the first to feature vehicles other than motorbikes.

<i>ECW Hardcore Revolution</i> 2000 video game

ECW Hardcore Revolution is a professional wrestling video game released by Acclaim Entertainment, based on the professional wrestling promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The game was released for the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Game Boy Color, and Dreamcast in 2000. It was the first wrestling game to be based on ECW, as well as the first professional wrestling video game to receive a Mature rating from the ESRB, although the Game Boy Color version was rated Everyone. Acclaim followed this title with the release of a sequel, ECW Anarchy Rulz, in August 2000.

<i>CyberTiger</i> 1999 video game

CyberTiger is a 1999 sports game published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color. Tiger Woods is the main opponent and is the best-rated player in the game.

<i>Supercross 2000</i> 1999 video game

Supercross 2000 is a 3D racing game based on the sport of Supercross. It was published by EA Sports for PlayStation and Nintendo 64 consoles in North America on October 31, 1999, and in Europe in February 2000. Its sequel, Supercross, was released in November 2000.

<i>Top Gear Rally 2</i> 1999 video game

Top Gear Rally 2 is a racing video game developed by Saffire and released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. It is a sequel to Top Gear Rally.

<i>Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue</i> 1999 video game

Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue is a 1999 platform game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Activision and Disney Interactive. Based on Disney/Pixar's 1999 computer animated film Toy Story 2, it was released for the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, and Macintosh in late 1999, while a Dreamcast version followed in 2000. The computer versions were released under the title Disney/Pixar's Action Game, Toy Story 2. A different version, a side-scrolling platform game titled Toy Story 2, was also released for the Game Boy Color in 1999.

<i>Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000</i> 2000 video game

Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000 is a motocross racing video game developed by Acclaim Studios Salt Lake City and published by Acclaim Entertainment under their Acclaim Sports label for Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PlayStation and Dreamcast. It features eight stadium tracks, eight outdoor tracks, and an option for players to create their own custom tracks. In addition to having a racing game mode, players could perform dirt bike tricks in a stunt mode.

<i>Roadsters</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Roadsters is a racing game released by Titus Software for Nintendo 64 in 1999, and for PlayStation, Dreamcast and Game Boy Color in 2000. It is a car racing game that features both licensed cars from manufacturers and unlicensed cars from imaginary manufacturers that are based on and bear great resemblance to their equivalent, real car models. The game also includes a multi-player mode supports up to 2 human players that can compete in any of the available circuits with 4 more CPU controlled racers. A PlayStation 2 version was originally planned to release on April 11, 2001. Box art for unreleased PS2 game url=https://www.ign.com/games/roadsters

<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>Army Men: Air Attack</i> 1999 video game

Army Men: Air Attack is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by The 3DO Company for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color and Microsoft Windows. The game focuses on aerial combat and features the same protagonist, Cpt. William Blade. It is one of the first Army Men games to be powered by a 3D engine where terrain and units are rendered in real-time.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (May 2, 2000). "An Exciting New Website". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  2. ↑ Phillips, Tom (September 14, 2022). "N64 classic Goldeneye 007 headed to Nintendo Switch Online and Xbox Game Pass". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Maddrell, Alan (July 2001). "Excitebike 64". N64 Magazine . No. 56. Future Publishing. pp. 56–59.
  4. ↑ "Excitebike 64 Guide". Nintendo Power . Vol. 132. Nintendo of America. May 2000. p. 23.
  5. ↑ "Excitebike 64 Cheats & Codes for Nintendo 64 (N64)". CheatCodes.com . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Excitebike 64 (Preview)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 121. Nintendo of America. pp. 84–85.
  7. ↑ IGN staff (May 12, 1999). "Excitebike 64 Tears Up E3". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Excitebike 64". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  9. ↑ McCall, Scott. "Excitebike 64 - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  10. ↑ Ham, Tom (May 26, 2000). "Excitebike 64". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 24, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ Edge staff (July 2000). "Excitebike 64" (PDF). Edge . No. 86. Future Publishing. pp. 88–89. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  12. ↑ Hager, Dean; Wochok, Cyril; Sewart, Greg (June 2000). "Excitebike 64" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 131. Ziff Davis. p. 164. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  13. ↑ Conlin, Shaun (July 4, 2000). "Excitebike 64". The Electric Playground . Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on August 17, 2002. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  14. 1 2 "エキサイトバイク64 [NINTENDO64]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  15. ↑ McNamara, Andy; Fitzloff, Jay; Reiner, Andrew (June 2000). "Excitebike 64 - Nintendo 64". Game Informer . No. 86. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on December 10, 2000. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Buchanan, Levi (May 2, 2000). "REVIEW for Excitebike 64". GameFan . Shinno Media. Archived from the original on June 20, 2000. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  17. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (June 2000). "Excitebike 64". GameFan. Shinno Media. p. 64. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  18. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (June 2000). "Excitebike 64". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 6. Shinno Media. p. 12. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  19. 1 2 Provo, Frank (May 19, 2000). "Excitebike 64 Review". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  20. ↑ Ellis, James (September 2000). "Excitebike 64". Hyper . No. 82. Next Media Pty Ltd. pp. 70–71.
  21. 1 2 Casamassina, Matt (May 1, 2000). "Excitebike 64". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  22. ↑ Green, Mark (July 2000). "Excitebike 64 (Import)". N64 Magazine. No. 43. Future Publishing. pp. 58–61.
  23. 1 2 Wolf, Michael (August 2000). "Excitebike 64". NextGen . No. 68. Imagine Media. p. 91. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Excitebike 64". Nintendo Power. Vol. 132. Nintendo of America. May 2000. p. 123. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  25. ↑ The Freshman (May 2, 2000). "Excitebike 64 Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro . IDG. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  26. ↑ Dan Elektro (June 2000). "Excitebike 64" (PDF). GamePro. No. 141. IDG. p. 124. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  27. ↑ Weir, Dale (June 30, 2000). "Excitebike 64 – Review". GameCritics. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Fast News: Mario Party and Excite Bike delayed until September". Nintendo Official Magazine . No. 94. Future Publishing. July 2000. p. 91.
  29. ↑ Fox, Mat (October 20, 2006). The Video Games Guide. Pan Macmillan Ltd. p. 136. ISBN   0-7522-2625-8.
  30. ↑ Valay, Brian (November 28, 2015). "Excitebike 64 devs on the game's development – origins, Miyamoto feedback, more". Nintendo Everything. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  31. ↑ EP staff (2001). "Blister Awards 2000 (Console Games 3)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on July 20, 2001. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
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.