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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Wave Race 64

Universal acclaim
Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre(s): Racing
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: November 1, 1996
Summary
An early N64 classic, Wave Race 64 features nine challenging courses packed with marker buoys, ramps, mines, hairpin turns, sand spits and more. As you proceed through Championship mode's three difficulty levels, the courses get tougher and your rivals become more aggressive. [Nintendo]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Hot Games
The constantly evolving waves and progressively harder CPU opponents mean that Wave Race 64 never stops from being challenging.
Read Full Review >Electric Playground
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 >IGN
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 >Gaming Age
Not only are the graphics stunning, they are actually the reason the game is at the top of it's class in play mechanics.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
Even four years later, the game remains a graphic marvel and is perfectly balanced in terms of gameplay.
Read Full Review >GamerWeb Nintendo
Miyamoto has touched WR64 with his golden hand, and with beautiful graphics, immaculate gameplay, and some of the best replay value for a racer out there it's a title not to be passed up.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
A dark horse of Grand National-winning quality. The stunning graphics, immaculate playability and entirely original handling make for a game like no other. As much as with "Mario 64," Wave Race 64 alone justifies the cost of the N64.
Read Full Review >Games Domain
If you were left dry by Mario 64's lack of replay value, pick this one up and get wet in the realm of replay value, 'cause that is the only thing to explain why I'm playing this game 24-7.
Read Full Review >Computer and Video Games
It's awesome to look at, a treat to play and as original a racer as youire ever going to see, and the two-player mode gives the game a totally fresh level of challenge. You'll take to it like a duck to water.
Read Full Review >All Game Guide
What really propels Wave Race 64 into great status, though, is its gameplay. Minute inputs make all the difference: controlling a jet-ski in Wave Race 64 is an art as well as a precise science, but it's fun too.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
May not have the long-term challenge that Mario does, but gamers will find themselves itching to play it for some time. This is a very solid game, in many ways the best racing game ever seen on a home system.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
The sound is wonderful. You can almost hear the gearshifts as your jet-ski accelerates. Do a barrel roll in the air, and hear the crowd scream.
Read Full Review >Nintendorks
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 >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
vStarfire gave it a10:
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.
Nitecoder gave it a 10:
The best racer I've played. (Better than Wave Race Blue Storm on the gamecube). Lovely music.
Uter gave it a 10:
The best watercraft game in existence. better than wave race blue storm, better than splashdown, and of course better than jet x2o.
[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
The music rocks. Great game all around.
P. H. gave it a 10:
Very good game.
