Wipeout

Review

by Shawn Sackenheim

While not as fast or graphically advanced as its sequel, the original Wipeout is still an enjoyable and challenging racer featuring polished graphics, a kickin' soundtrack, and futuristic racing action.

All of the seven courses feature diverse graphics with well polished texture maps resulting in little pixelation. The undulating courses also allow for limited pop up to detract from the racing. Trackside scenery is also highly creative and well designed offering a solid and believable graphic experience.

Featuring seven diverse courses, all with jumps, hairpins, forking roads, and more, Wipeout offers enough variety to keep any racer happy. Modes on hand include two tournaments (one in beginner class and one in advanced), a single race option, and a time trial mode. A two player mode is also available but requires a link cable, two TV's, two PlayStation units, and two copies of the game.

The control is nice and loose, as it should be with a hovercraft, and is easily adjusted to after limited playing. The buttons are simple with fire, drop weapon, accelerate, brake, and lean controls all appropriately placed. The only downside, that will initially get to anyone who plays the game, is that when you barely touch a wall your craft shudders and slows nearly to a stop.

All things considered, Wipeout is a great racing game and, while it doesn't look as good as its sequel, it's still a fun racing game that offers a considerable amount of speed and some challenging races, as well as a lot of fun. Unfortunately, it's over a bit too soon but Wipeout will last any gamer for weeks on end.