F-1 World Grand Prix

"The Best Game on the Nintendo 64"

This game is the F1 God for the 64. While some may automatically say it's so out of date that it doesn't compete with today's F1 games, this is better than most. I myself, have never given a 10/10 on any game, but this game has changed that.

Gameplay: 10/10

Obviously the highlight of almost any F1 game. This game is great for almost any person. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but is easy once you have gotten used to it. You can choose anyone from Rubens Barrichello to Mika Hakkinen to Giancarlo Fisichella, even to Gerhard Berger. And if that's not enough, you can even be the camera man and zoom in, follow any car, rotate, etc. There is a load of variety and fun to be had. Not to mention the Challenges, this game has the best challenges of any F1 game ever made. F1 2002, F1 Career Challenge, pathetic to compare. Gran Turismo even isn't as good. This game did something, I don't know what, but something that just made it awesome. You have certain failures and you must recover (like my favorite, get to the pits with a missing right rear and still lead with Mika Hakkinen). The game offers so much, even an extra course (that must be unlocked through the driver name). Now, the best part. More setting options, than any F1 game, any racing game except Gran Turismo. It almost matches it. There are 7 settings that the game makes, everything from a top speed low cornering setting to a high braking medium top speed setting. You can also make your own setting, including tyres (Soft, Hard, Intermediate, Wet, Super Soft) and fuel. Not to mention downforce and steering angle as they call it. Plus, the game makes a recommended setting for each course. Honestly, this is a part of the game that should make any slight racing fan drool.

Sound/Music: 10/10

This game is so technologically advanced for it's time, it makes you want to cry with happiness. Like many ''new, up to date'' games, your crew chief talks to you on this game. He tells you everything from positions to when you receive a warning flag. There is great music on the main screens and even a sound test screen. It has all the sound effects and music from all parts of the game. There is no stopping the awesome sound system in which this game contains.

Graphics: 9/10

This score is for the time, not compared to today. The graphics are so good, it almost makes you feel like we're years ahead of our time. The cars look like they did exactly in 1998 except for the fact that these are a little boxy. The courses all look like they should and the best part, Monaco. There are buildings and yachts everywhere. The rain looks realistic and the lights look cool too. Truly another great aspect of the game.

Difficulty: 10/10

Can anyone say multiple difficulties for the season? The harder the difficulty, the better the AI and the less warning flags before you get a stop/go penalty. This game also is very challenging on the challenges (wow, never would have thought that), but not challenging to the point of insanity. It's a perfect level that allows each person to choose the difficulty and challenge that will engage them. Don't be worried about this being easy, because it's one tough cookie once you get onto the harder difficulties. Another great part is the damage. You can hurt your aerodynamics, tyres, suspension, gearbox, engine, and you run out of fuel too. But this game doesn't have a small version of a car that changes color to show damage, it has 5 little dots on the side. Each slowly going more red as you do more damage to it. It's great to be able to tell how damaged you are.

Controls: 9/10

This game's controls are a little tricky to master (for reasons of corners). By that I don't mean too touchy, it's perfect. But if you accelerate out of a turn too quickly your car will growl a little before it actually goes. It's still a great part of the game, just takes a couple hours to completely master (which isn't very long). The rear view is great on this game. You use the C-buttons (down, left, and right, up is change view). But unlike most games, you can look behind and to the right a little, directly behind, or behind and to the left a little depending on what button you press. There is a sense of speed so you can know when to brake and how hard to brake. A great part of the game.

Replayability: 10/10

This game never ends. It's great. You can do an infinite amount of championships, the challenges, a single race, and so on. It's almost not worth going on about because I could go on forever. It's not going to get old soon, so grab some coffee, because you'll be wanting to stay up late to play this one.

Rent or Buy: BUY!!!!!

Final Score: 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/24/03, Updated 07/24/03