F-1 World Grand Prix

"Possibly the best F1 game ever!!"

This was the first game that I bought when I got my N64 and I was completely amazed by it. This is the game I consider to be the best F1 game ever, and from an F1 fan like myself that means a lot. Here is why I found this game so great.

Graphics
For it's time, these were some of the greatest graphics around. The cars were brilliantly textured and actually looked like proper F1 cars, which many games at this time failed to achieve. The surroundings also look amazing. The grass looked lush and green and the trees looked fantastically formed. The only slight problem was that the game was a small bit jerky. This was understandable with the high-res graphics and the relatively low power of the N64. But overall the graphics are superb.

Audio
This is another area where the games excels itself. The sound effects are spot-on and they include engine sounds and tyres screeching. There is also a voice telling you when to pit, if your car has damage etc. as well as information on race positions. This is very helpful during a race. The music in this game is quite good. My personal favourite tune is the music which plays when you win a race. The sounds of the game are very good.

Gameplay
The gameplay in this game is easily better than any other F1 game that was released in the same period. The cars handle fantastically and they are a pleasure to drive. No other F1 game at the time had the brilliant experience that this game had to offer. The game included everything from tyre wear, fuel consumption, realistic damage and changable weather conditions. There was also replays at the end of races to see how well you drove. The multiplayer game was also good but it was disappointing that there was 2 players maximum and no CPU players. Overall, the gameplay is truly outstanding.

Lifespan
The game lasted for a very long time. There were many modes to choose from including Exhibition, Grand Prix and a Scenario mode. These modes gave the game much replay value as there was so much to be done. There were around 20 different scenarios to complete, ranging from driving in wet conditions to driving with a damaged car. Even when the modes were completed, the game was such fun that you would go back and play it again. The lifespan was excellent!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/30/03, Updated 06/30/03