I’ve expressed my dislike of “catchup” racing games where it takes most of the race to even reach the leaders, yet sometimes, a racing game can be so enjoyable, that I can look past that part of the game and just enjoy the core racing experience. Hydro Thunder is one of those games.

Hydro Thunder is incredibly fast, with very tight controls. Everything around you also moves swiftly, in a purposefully unrealistic way – large patrol boats will try to stop you racing, but will drift, take jumps, and be barged into the air just like all the other racers. Every moment is frantic and over-the-top, in a hugely enjoyable way.

I think what makes Hydro Thunder work so well is the courses – they’re all well designed, with some interesting themes. Most of them are point A to point B races, and they really do feel like their own mini adventure, so much so that it feels you’re enjoying the level more than the actual racing. It’s an incredibly fun and smooth experience.

Fun

Ultimately, though, there is a lot to love here, and special mention must go to developers Eurocom, who have created a game that’s identical to the Dreamcast version – same speed, same amount of detail, completely comparable (apart, admittedly, from not looking as good). In facy, Hydro Thunder 64 offers a little extra, in the shape of a true four-player mode (Sega’s machine could only offer two). Not bed, eh?

Jes Bickham, N64 Magazine #39. Review Score: 84%

Remake or remaster?

Take Hydro Thunder Hurricane, remaster that, add the N64 tracks, and you’d have a great game.

Official ways to get the game.

There’s no official way to get Hydro Thunder.