Excitebike 64

"64 Update of classic NES racer"

In the game you can choose from six, awfully named characters such as Sarah ''Sugar'' Hill, all six of them having ranging stats with some good at turbo and some good at landing, the basic racing formula. The best two racers are probably Vicky Steele and Sarah Hill who both have a mixed range of skills and are not bad at anything just average really.

The game is split into a number of modes including Season where you have six races and you have to come out 1st overall after the six races in order to qualify for the next difficulty. While this is all good when you have completed the season you will want something more which is why Left Field have put in some marvellous side-games. You can play footy against your mates but with a difference, your on bikes, (if you have played Street Racer for the SNES then you will know what it is like), there is a stunt mode a la Tony Hawks and while you might be limited to only a handful of stunts it is still great fun in two player mode.

Another mode revived from the original is the track-editor and this allows you to make your own custom track. While this sounds good at first, it is rather a let-down because you cant really add as much things as you would like. Despite this it is still a great addition and is well worth a go and hammering your mates on it gives you extra pleasure because you made it.

Oh yes the multiplayer mode, this is where the game really shines. . Up to four players can join in with the computer and play in the normal race mode or some of the bonus modes such as the football game and this is where that Nintendo magic kicks in. There is no slow-down whatsoever and it is quite possibly the best multiplayer game on the N64 behind Mazza Kart and its stunning battle mode.

When you play the game you will find the most visually stunning racing game on the 64 today and possibly the best Motocross/Motorbike type game there is. Everything from the Lens flare and the muddy dirt tracks are brilliantly done as are the little things that your racer does in the course of a race. If he/she knocks over a fellow racer he/she will raise his/her hand in the air and celebrate victoriously. If you crash into the side your racer will grab his/her knee and cry in agony, it's that brilliant.

Sound is another factor, which Left Field have pulled off brilliantly. The music is, well, just generic rock music, but play it for long enough and you will find yourself humming the tunes as you walk around. The sound of the bikes as they skid across the track and as you fire up your turbo is spot on and even the commentator manages to not make you rip your ears off and put them in the food blender.

Left Field have managed to do what only a few companies have done and that is get the most out of the N64. Left Field belongs in the category of Rare, Factor 5 and Ninty themselves as classic game developers and if they continue this for the NGC then we are in for a killer line up of games.

Final rating……9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/21/01, Updated 11/21/01