Wave Race 64

 Nintendo 64
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 129 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 129
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 129
  3. Negative: 4 out of 129
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  1. SCB92
    Oct 27, 2011
    6
    Perhaps the best racing game on Nintendo 64; I just wish there were more courses in the game; it's quite difficult to make the racers do stunts; the voiceover can be patronising and what he says can be cheesy and corny
  2. Parowake
    Feb 19, 2020
    10
    Se trata probablemente del mejor juego de carreras de la N64. Los gráficos son sensacionales, con unos efectos de las olas muy realistas. La jugabilidad es perfecta, con un control que hace sentir las físicas de las motos de agua. Recomiendo fervientemente la versión Shindou edition, que tiene implementada la vibración y le da un punto extra sobre las versiones estándar europea y americana.
  3. pariz
    Sep 9, 2020
    10
    One of the best racing games ever, it was critical to proving how analog controls could enhance the racing and simulation experiences when it came out.
    Easy to play, hard to master, the game is still a blast to play, even today. The water effects were way beyond its time. You could hardly find something that good even a generation after. And finally, Wave Race 64 soundtrack is totally    One of the best racing games ever, it was critical to proving how analog controls could enhance the racing and simulation experiences when it came out.
    Easy to play, hard to master, the game is still a blast to play, even today. The water effects were way beyond its time. You could hardly find something that good even a generation after. And finally, Wave Race 64 soundtrack is totally outstanding.
    Basically, this was an amazing game that showed what Nintendo 64 could and other consoles couldn't in terms of graphics when it came out, and it was given in an amazing very Nintendoish approach to a sim racer.
    One of my favorites indeed.    … Expand
  4. joaopontesvaz
    May 27, 2014
    9
    Graphics: 9.0 Sound: 8.5 Gameplay: 9.5 Fun/Story: 8.5

    Great racing game, with nice graphics (water effects very good), physics and gameplay. Fine multiplayer.
  5. GamecubeLover
    Jul 25, 2016
    10
    This game is nostalgic and simple and the 3rd best N64 game of 1996. This game is like wii sports it does have it flaws but since it was great and aged well it deserves a 10.
  6. Dancingonfloors
    Nov 16, 2017
    10
    Well can you say anything bad about Wave Race? I played this game as a child and Its amazing how well its aged. They really dont make games like this anymore.
  7. BrettSiebenhaar
    Aug 11, 2018
    9
    Wave Race 64 is an amazing game. For the time, this was the best water in a game ever! This game still looks great today. The game was fun, the tracks were fun, and I loved the stunt mode where you get points just for doing stunts. The commentator got annoying at times, but oh well, the game was amazing!
  8. TheMaskedGamer
    Jul 21, 2018
    8
    Great gameplay, cool music, and graphics that have aged better than a lot of early N64 games, Wave Race 64 is a must have for any N64 fanatic.
  9. dmat
    Jul 6, 2020
    10
    what an awesome game. pretty looking and exciting and awesome soundtrack. It was a classic
  10. eduinsane
    Mar 8, 2012
    10
    One of the bast game of Nintendo 64 , incredible when it was released, magnificent water effects and sound. Better than Wave Race Blue Storm on the gamecube.
  11. bestbloodyday
    May 22, 2012
    6
    The graphic was stunning by the moment standards, but that's all. Wave Race is more like a demo than a complete game. Almost no courses or racers. There was only a few tricks. Very short game without much of a relevance.
  12. Starfire
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    Another perfect Nintendo release- with all the refreshing fun of racing on waves. The colours, the dolphins, the feeling of speed- all this, plus the possibility of tricks makes this still one of the best racers ever. Like other hallmark N64 titles, it is a 3D sensation as well as a game- and in it's niche the best ever made.
  13. Uter
    May 23, 2003
    10
    The best watercraft game in existence. better than wave race blue storm, better than splashdown, and of course better than jet x2o.
  14. Shosta
    Dec 15, 2010
    10
    Impressive jet-ski simulator of the 90 's. Another one of the fantastic N64 launching games in it's first era, with good sound effects, commentaries and music. The physics of the water in this game were not matched in a long time.
  15. [Anonymous]
    Aug 13, 2002
    10
    The music rocks. Great game all around.
  16. Nitecoder
    Jul 15, 2003
    10
    The best racer I've played. (Better than Wave Race Blue Storm on the gamecube). Lovely music.
  17. P.H.
    Dec 31, 2001
    10
    Very good game.
  18. Caestus
    Mar 10, 2013
    8
    Unbelievable graphics at the time of its release. The water alone was great. It is fun to play but the N64 has better racers.
  19. Carlitoxic
    Jun 13, 2014
    10
    Para mí uno de los juegos legendarios de mi vida. Wave race fue el juego que me enamoró de N64 y por el que la compré de cabeza. Una vez llegó el juego me dejó boquiabierto.
  20. troi4n
    Jul 24, 2014
    8
    I don't have MUCH to say about this game. It doesn't have history or a huge replay like Mario Kart. But this game is still really good! Very beautiful graphics for N64, good multiplayer and great physic makes this game one of the best arcade race games of N64.
  21. arostislavna
    Jun 4, 2023
    10
    A unique racing game that has never really been emulated or ripped off, had girl characters to play as even at a time when male protagonists dominated all gaming (if you care about that stuff) I don't NOW, but I did then when I was a young girl with my first console.
  22. neojotic
    Aug 27, 2020
    7
    I'd give this a 7.5 which is simply good. It's a standout for the genre and should have garnered more attention and acclaim at the time of it's release. However, it feels very similar to super smash where the 64 version feels like a concept tester prior to the Gamecube releases.

    Wave Race 64 doesn't have the charm of Blue Storm but it's a solid title and a must have for any 64 collection.
  23. Jattaman
    Sep 20, 2022
    8
    Gioco di corse su moto d'acqua bellissimo.
    Grafica da urlo per i tempi in cui è uscito, con l'acqua più realistica di sempre, che sembra davvero avere una sua consistenza.
    Giocabilità elevata e divertimento garantito anche per un non appassionato di giochi di corse.
  24. AValis
    Mar 17, 2022
    10
    I struggle to find anything negative to say about this game. I struggle to feel anything negative while playing this game. So often, I don't get the hype. It's misplaced, confused. But here, I fully understand it. Relentlessly fun.
  25. Gam1ngH3ro15
    Jun 4, 2023
    9
    Oh the nostalgia, Wave Race 64 and Blue Storm bring back so many childhood memories. I recently played Wave Race 64 on the Switch again, and I have to say, it still holds up very well. The water effects were way beyond it's time and the racing is top notch. One franchise I REALLY wish Nintendo would bring back, would love to see what Wave Race could look like in 2023~.
  26. Yojimbo2015
    Jan 14, 2023
    7
    Aquatic racing games have never worked as well as their dry land counterparts but this is one of the better ones. The graphics are showing their age a little but the physics work well and it's reasonably good fun.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best N64 Game of 1996
2
#2 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1996
2
#2 Most Shared N64 Game of 1996

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Nintendorks
    60
    The replay value is where this game really suffers. You can only win the championship so many times before you die of boredom, and going through time trials and stunt mode offer no real thrill. 2-player mode is nice, but is still rather monotonous, going through the same courses time after time.
    Read full review
  2. Electric Playground
    100
    Without question the most unique and satisfying home racing videogame I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. This is, as you're no doubt aware, no minuscule feat. To declare that a racer is as good or better than WipeOut XL, Sega Rally, The Need For Speed or Ridge Racer Revolution is usually a fool's practice. However, WR 64 and its incredible water worlds are in a class by itself.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    97
    Simply put, Wave Race 64 stands shoulder-to-shoulder with "Wipeout XL" and "Sega Rally" in the pantheon as one of the best racers ever...a piece of art.
    Read full review
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