World Driver Championship

Last updated
World Driver Championship
World Driver Championship.jpg
North American box art
Developer(s) Boss Game Studios
Publisher(s) Midway
Producer(s) Kevin Potter
Designer(s) Brian McNeely
Programmer(s) Brian Fehdrau
Rob Povey
Artist(s) Todd Keller
Martin Sawkins
Composer(s) Zack Ohren
Platform(s) Nintendo 64
Release
  • NA: June 15, 1999 [1]
  • EU: November 1999
Genre(s) Racing game
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

World Driver Championship is an automobile racing video game. It was developed by Boss Game Studios and published for the Nintendo 64 by Midway Games. It is notable for having especially high quality graphics.

Contents

Gameplay

World Driver Championship is a racing game that features ten locations. Most locations feature six tracks (marked "A", "B", and "C"), three of which are in reverse (marked "R" next to "A", "B", and "C"). The exception is Black Forest, which has only four tracks, two of them being in reverse. These are the ten locations: Hawaii, United States; Les Gets, France; Las Vegas, United States; Auckland, New Zealand; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Sydney, Australia; Zürich, Switzerland; Kyoto, Japan; and the Black Forest in Germany.

Development

The game was showcased at E3 1999. [2] One of the last racing simulations to be released for Nintendo 64, this graphically intensive title uses custom microcode optimization and high polygon count modelling. The development team was able to optimize the usage of the various processors within the N64 to allow a great draw distance (reducing the need for fog or pop-up), highly detailed texturing and models, Doppler effect MP3 audio, and advanced lighting and fog effects for realistic weather conditions. Additionally, unlike many other games of its type on the platform, the game runs high resolution at a smooth pace.

The soundtrack, consisting of original rock and heavy metal tunes, was composed by musician Zack Ohren.

Reception

Although World Driver Championship received generally positive reviews from critics, [3] it suffered from intense competition at the time. While the game was an improvement in nearly every way compared to Boss's similar earlier effort, Top Gear Rally , it was up against the impressive new Gran Turismo series and other new racers. Complaints included a somewhat unconvincing driving physics model, non-licensed cars, and poor sound effects and music quality. The dislike for the physics model often stems from the beginning cars being difficult to drive and offering a "sloppy" feeling of control. Next Generation praised the graphics, gameplay, cars, and tracks, but noted that due to its driving physics model the game will be difficult to master for arcade racing fans. [10]

Related Research Articles

Racing games are a video game genre in which the player participates in a racing competition. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to fantastical settings. They are distributed along a spectrum between more realistic racing simulations and more fantastical arcade-style racing games. Kart racing games emerged in the 1990s as a popular sub-genre of the latter. Racing games may also fall under the category of sports video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sim racing</span> Video game genre

Simulated racing or racing simulation, commonly known as simply sim racing, are the collective terms for racing game software that attempts to accurately simulate auto racing, complete with real-world variables such as fuel usage, damage, tire wear and grip, and suspension settings. To be competitive in sim racing, a driver must understand all aspects of car handling that make real-world racing so difficult, such as threshold braking, how to maintain control of a car as the tires lose traction, and how properly to enter and exit a turn without sacrificing speed. It is this level of difficulty that distinguishes sim racing from arcade racing-style driving games where real-world variables are taken out of the equation and the principal objective is to create a sense of speed as opposed to a sense of realism.

<i>Superman 64</i> 1999 action-adventure video game

Superman: The New Superman Adventures, commonly referred to as Superman 64, is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Titus Interactive for the Nintendo 64 and based on the television series Superman: The Animated Series. Released in North America on June 1, 1999, and in Europe on July 23, it is the first 3D Superman game.

<i>Cruisn USA</i> 1994 video game

Cruis'n USA is an arcade racing game originally released in 1994. It was developed by Eugene Jarvis' company TV Games Inc., and manufactured by Midway Games. It is the first game in the Cruis'n series and features races set in locations across the continental United States.

<i>Cruisn Exotica</i> 1999 video game

Cruis'n Exotica is a 1999 racing game developed for arcades by Midway Games. The game is a sequel to Cruis'n World and is the third entry in the Cruis'n series.

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

San Francisco Rush 2049 is a racing video game developed and manufactured by Atari Games for arcades. It was ported to the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and Dreamcast by Midway Games West. The arcade machine was released in 1999; home versions followed in 2000 on September 7 for North America and November 17 for Europe. It is the third game in the Rush series and the sequel to San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing and Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA. It is the last game in the Rush series to be set in the city of San Francisco and the last released on a Nintendo console. It also serves as the final game for the Atari Games label, which was retired shortly after the arcade release. The Dreamcast version was later re-released as part of Midway Arcade Treasures 3 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube and later for Windows as part of Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition.

<i>Top Gear Rally</i> 1997 video game

Top Gear Rally is a 1997 racing video game developed by Boss Game Studios and released for the Nintendo 64. A follow-up to Kemco's original Top Gear game, it features a championship mode where a single player must complete six seasons of two to four races, as well as a multiplayer mode where two players may compete against each other via a split-screen display. The game's tracks combine both road and off-road surfaces and can be played in different weather conditions, including night, fog, rain, and snow. Players may customize their car with different tire grips and adjust its suspension stiffness and steering sensitivity. An option that allows players to custom paint their cars is also included.

<i>V-Rally</i> (video game) 1997 video game

V-Rally is a racing video game developed by Infogrames Multimedia and released for the PlayStation console in 1997. The first game in the V-Rally series, it is based on the 1997 and 1998 World Rally Championship seasons, and features officially licensed cars and tracks inspired by real locations of rally events. Players drive rally cars through a series of stages spread over eight different locations, ranging from European countries like England, Spain or Sweden, to island countries such as Indonesia and New Zealand. As a simulation game, V-Rally places a strong emphasis on replicating the behavior physics of real cars and generally requires more practice than arcade-style racers.

<i>MRC: Multi-Racing Championship</i> 1997 video game

MRC: Multi-Racing Championship, also known as simply Multi Racing Championship, is a racing video game developed by Genki and released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. It was published in North America and Europe by Ocean and in Japan by Imagineer. The game is compatible with the Controller Pak and the Rumble Pak.

<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>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>Extreme-G</i> 1997 video game

Extreme-G is a futuristic racing video game developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment, featuring an original trance soundtrack. It was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997, and was released in Japan on May 29, 1998. Despite the crowded field of Nintendo 64 racing games, Extreme-G was met with moderately positive reviews and was a commercial success. A sequel, Extreme-G 2, was released in 1998, followed by two additional games: Extreme-G 3 and XGRA: Extreme G Racing Association.

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

Lego Racers is a Lego-themed racing video game developed by High Voltage Software and published by Lego Media in 1999.

<i>California Speed</i> (video game) 1998 video game

California Speed is a racing video game developed and published by Atari Games and Midway Home Entertainment. The game was first released in arcades for Atari/Midway Seattle Arcade System hardware in 1998 and was ported to the Nintendo 64 in 1999 by Midway Games. The Nintendo 64 version of the game contains support for the Controller Pak and the Rumble Pak also the full support for multiplayer mode.

<i>Destruction Derby 64</i> 1999 video game

Destruction Derby 64 is a vehicular combat racing video game developed by Looking Glass Studios and published by THQ, under license from Psygnosis. It is the third installment in the Destruction Derby series, released on 30 September 1999 in North America and 12 October 1999 in Europe for the Nintendo 64.

<i>Hot Wheels Turbo Racing</i> 1999 video game

Hot Wheels Turbo Racing is a racing video game released for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation in 1999. It features 40 cars based on the Hot Wheels series of toys. It also features Kyle Petty's 1999 NASCAR stock car, as it was sponsored by Hot Wheels. The game features music from artists like Primus, Metallica, The Reverend Horton Heat and Mix Master Mike.

<i>Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2</i> 1998 video game

Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2, also known as just Monaco Grand Prix or Racing Simulation: Monaco Grand Prix, is a Formula One racing game developed and published by Ubisoft for the Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Dreamcast. It was released in 1998–1999. A sequel, Racing Simulation 3, was released in 2002.

<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>San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing</i> 1996 video game

San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing is a video game developed and published by Atari Games. This game was first released in arcades in 1996 and was ported to Nintendo 64 in 1997 and the PlayStation in 1998. San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing is the first game in the Rush series.

<i>Asphalt 3D</i> 2011 racing video game

Asphalt 3D is a racing game developed by Gameloft and published by Ubisoft for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the seventh major game of the Asphalt series. It was released in Japan by Konami on March 10, 2011, in Europe on March 25, 2011, in North America on March 27, 2011, and in Australia on March 31, 2011. It was one of eight 3DS launch titles published by Ubisoft and was revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010.

References

  1. ↑ "World Driver: Championship Ships [date mislabeled "April 27, 2000"]". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  2. ↑ "Midway is "Ready 2 Rumble" At E3 With Its Knock-Out Product Lineup". Business Wire . May 13, 1999. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2021– via The Free Dictionary.
  3. 1 2 "World Driver Championship". Metacritic . Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ McCall, Scott. "World Driver: Championship". AllGame . Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  5. ↑ "World Driver Championship". Edge . No. 74. Future Publishing. August 1999. p. 88.
  6. ↑ "World Driver Championship". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 120. Ziff Davis. July 1999. p. 127.
  7. ↑ Mac Donald, Ryan (April 28, 2000). "World Driver Championship Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ Schneider, Peer (June 16, 1999). "World Driver Championship Review". IGN . Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  9. ↑ Bickham, Jes (September 1999). "World Driver Championship". N64 Magazine . No. 32. Future Publishing. pp. 56–61.
  10. 1 2 Erickson, Daniel (September 1999). "World Driver Championship". Next Generation . Vol. 2, no. 1. Imagine Media. p. 85.
  11. ↑ "World Driver: Championship". Nintendo Power . No. 122. Nintendo of America. July 1999. p. 112.
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.