Excitebike 64

Nintendo 64
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. Daily Radar
    100
    We predict with confidence that Excitebike 64 will go down in gaming history as the best motorcycle game ever.
  2. It's tricky. Plunge in with the right attitude though and this will keep you happy for months.
  3. 100
    All in all, this is an absolutely top class package.
  4. With a small drawback if you're coming to this game for the music, it is the best cycle game out there, not to mention one of the best N64 racers there is.
  5. 97
    It takes it all to the next level with a fantastic 3D engine, delightfully realistic physics, intuitive control, brilliantly detailed graphics, ingenious subtleties and tons of options.
  6. Game Fan
    95
    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.
  7. The tracks are stunning and the physics engine manages to feel realistic, but also work perfectly as a game.
  8. Antagonist -- Ant.com
    91
    Excitebike 64 is to "Jeremy McGrath" what Grilled Filet Mignon is to Chilled Pickled Hog's Feet.
  9. N64-owning racing fans owe it to themselves to pick up Excitebike 64, as do all gamers who appreciate control schemes that reward repeat playing.
  10. CheckOut
    90
    A near flawless game that never tries to get too fancy for its own good. It's simple and simply awesome.
  11. CNET Gamecenter
    90
    This is the best racing game on the Nintendo 64. Period.
  12. Mahvelous. Those graphics are freakin' mahvelous.
  13. Serious air is the truth with this bad boy. You better have skipped lunch if you're going to get on this wild ride!!
  14. Added bonuses like the inclusion of the original side-scrolling turbo-cooling itty-bitty-bit masterpiece plus a tremendous hybrid of classic and new with 3D-ified straight and narrow, linear and delineated track design adds great gobs of icing to the cake.
  15. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    90
    As fun as the original Excitebike (8-bit Nintendo), and it even has a custom track editor. [Jan 2004, p.189]
  16. The game isn't perfect—I would have liked even more tracks to race on as well as a few more racers—but there is no arguing the excellent gameplay.
  17. Some will cry about the frame rate, and some will wish the game featured real riders, but even these woes are forgotten when the game itself is so scrumptious.
  18. The control isn't the easiest to get the hang of, there were times I thought about snapping that little analog stick right off the controller!
  19. Da Gameboyz
    82
    Add to the mix a host of extras like special tracks, detailed graphics and a couple of big air tricks and you've got a pretty entertaining little racing game.
  20. 80
    Bursting with awesome extras, Excitebike 64 should be more fun, but it just manages to be okay.
  21. The best thing about Excitebike 64 is that the races are fast and fun. If you use turbo properly, the races will move along quickly with lots of big air. Even though only six riders total are in the pack in the one-player mode, the artificial intelligence is setup so that a cluster of riders will be relatively close to each other.
  22. Gamers who seek a racer that offers speed thrills will not find what they desire in ExciteBike 64.
  23. It takes some effort to get into, but it's worth it in the end when your reward for sticking it out are some exciting nail-biting races.
  24. Happy Puppy
    65
    The control's not user-friendly from the get-go; you'll need time and patience to hang with the big boys.

Awards & Rankings

6
14
#14 Most Discussed N64 Game of 2000
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 37
  2. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. Jun 1, 2023
    10
    Saw this game was unforgivably underrated on the all-time list, so I created an account just to do my small part to help correct that,Saw this game was unforgivably underrated on the all-time list, so I created an account just to do my small part to help correct that,

    Excitebike 64 is one of my favourite games of all-time. It's was super fun to play when it came out, and it's super fun to play now.
    That's all that really needs to be said.
    Full Review »
  2. Apr 26, 2023
    7
    Dirt bike game that concentrates on the racing rather than tricks. The races themselves are pretty short but make for intense andDirt bike game that concentrates on the racing rather than tricks. The races themselves are pretty short but make for intense and skill-reliant matches and as such is one of the better racers on the N64. Full Review »
  3. Jul 25, 2019
    9
    One of my favorite racing games of all time. I don't think that I have played another motor-cross since.