Today we hit the N64 racing scene with crisps, pop and friends waiting to be beatten to a pulp. For a console which was slammed for not having the 'serious' racers that the PS1 had, we were blown away by the sheer amount of fun we had. What follows is a plethora of N64 racing impressions...

Wave Race 64: (via the Virtual Console)

What were you thinking?!

I went straight for expert mode and selected Miles Jeter with custom settings. My greatest fear in Waverace is Dave Mariner, my old nemesis. He always comes from nowhere to knock me into the ocean whilst I'm leading. Yes, I hate him. Amazingly, I got to Port Blue before he K.O'd me today, but I half did the job for him because I was dicing with destiny by going too close to the wooden crates, clipped one, lost speed... and big Dave did the rest. I still won it overall, but Mariner always has to wreck it somewhere and make sure I don't win every race.

We all know what the music and graphics are like in Waverace, and there's very little any of us would change about the game. There is however one thing that it missed out on, just because it was a launch game - rumble support. You don't miss rumble in a game until you play one that doesn't have it. (Just ask the early PS3 users) If only I could get force feedback from Dave Mariner's harassment then my life would be complete! (ED: Nintendo later released a Japanese-only rumble version! Now you can live the dream!)

F-Zero X:

F-Zero X, what a game! I used to think the music was a step down from the SNES original, but after GX's trance music it was good to make a return to X's rock. From the subtle rumbles of the first corner to the satisfaction of launching a spin attack through the chicane in Port Town, F-Zero X is still every-inch a classic. At the time people moaned about the graphics yet I genuinely never understood their problem - you are racing on tracks in the sky, so why would there be scenery?

The game controls great. It only takes the subtlest of movements to steer and it’s pulled off without feeling twitchy at all. Time doesn’t change great control and this still feels perfect today.

Star Wars: Episode 1 - Racer:

It's working! It's working!

I had a soft spot for this title back in the day - I used to like doing the time trial around Tatooine with Anakin. I did that this afternoon and had some races around a few other levels too, but I just couldn't keep playing. Its hard to describe, but the graphics were just choppy. Control of Anakin was smooth enough, and the animation of the Pod was fine, but the scenery wasn't smooth at all and it was hard to appreciate. Furthermore the game had no music except for the last lap! All the options for upgrading your Pod were there and will always add depth to Episode One: Pod Racer, but the game just hasn't aged well.

Mickey's Speedway USA:

I had to stick Mickey on purely because I needed to hear some music after playing Episode 1 - Racer! I found the cup that has my favourite level - the Everglades, and got racing. The graphics and scenery still look fairly decent but when turning...something just wasn't right. It was somehow like Mode 7 and I don't mean that in a nostalgic, good way. Just like Pod Racer, this hasn't aged well at all - and I thought it would have been fine, like the other timeless classics from Rare. A real shame.

1080 Snowboarding:

I found Ten Eighty the hardest to get back into. I have no problems with the heavy controls because that's what the games all about but couple those heavy mechanics with my old yellow controllers joystick and well, things proved problematic. I even had problems landing from jumps! Nostalgia took over so I still had fun playing it due to the memories of thrashing Ten Eighty with my friend back when it released, in time for the Halloween Holidays. The music and graphicsstill old up really nicely and you get treated to some gorgeous backdrops (Crystal Lake, Mountain Village, etc).

Wave Race 64:

Dear god, somebody had me a shotgun so I can shoot the announcer in the face. "That's a laaaaap record," "You ALMOST had it" and finally "You are the chaaaaampion." It's comedy value, but it doesn't half grate your cheese.

Graphically, the game is now a mixed bag. Whilst Drake Lake is still as beautiful as you remember it to be, with the colourful sky and lovely reflections in the water, Sunset Bay is the exact opposite - with your character racing around in what can only be described as an ocean-heinz tomato soup hybrid.

Graphics and sound aside, this game is still challenging and good fun to play. Leaning in and out of the buoys, it's very hard to put this game down once you've started. It's about 12 years old now and it has definately lost some of its slickness, especially after playing it's older brother Blue Storm on the GameCube, but this is still a classic in its own right.

F-Zero X:

Hello, old friend! To this day I still find myself quoting the announcer in everyday life. Every once in a while, it's fun to just shout out "You've got boost power!" especially in crowded places. Some people just do no appreciate it!

But I do as this is one of my favourite racers of all time. What struck me was that the sense of speed is still incredible today. To get a true understanding of what it's like, select "Silence" from the Jack Cup and enjoy. Hearing the heavy rock music kick in throughout the levels just adds to the pacey feel and vibe that this masterpiece gives off.

That section where the tracks suddenly shootdowns down like a rollercoaster, and then back up again, where you shoot through the air like a speeding bullet and back onto the track...it's an amazing feat in terms of gameplay and track design.

There's also the awesome selection of levels and vehicles to choose from, as well as the excellent four player mode. Glady the ultimate "Death Race" (where you must compete against 30 other racers and eliminate them from the race) is still as fun as ever. I remember the day I bought this, for a measly �8 second-hand, and I have not looked backed since. Still an impeccable game. Squint and it looks next gen too!

Extreme-G:

I Jumped straight into my last save game from years ago and I was surprised how instantly controllable it was after all these years. It actually feels really good holding the Z trigger to accelerate!

One thing I really liked was the 1990's dance music pounding away in the background. It is really good and (like F-Zero) really suits the pace of the title. One thing I noticed was the obvious catch-up on the computer racers. This means that the races are frnatic and the other racers seem genuinely aggressive. After two races I'd been bashed off the side when approaching a narrowing in the track, hit with well aimed weapons and narrowly missed the CPU with some gun fire of my own.

Throughout this I must mention that the framerate really suffers during explosions. This is unfortunate yet only rears it’s ugly head when things get frantic. I must point out that this is far worse in XG2 though.

F-Zero X:

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? F-Zero STILL plays as well as ever to this day! The game's made of pure awesomage!!

Beetle Adventure Racing:

No, it doesn't feature scarabs or Ringo...Having bought this title when the ‘Cube had rolled into town, I never explored every nook and cranny. The title now looks a little old primarily due to the backgrounds which look as if they are stuck on. The cars look solid though and the framerate is (for the most part) bearable. The actual racing is still great fun though and it reminded me of SSX. The respawn button is a great function too as you can end up in all sorts of places! I really liked the way in which the game starts off. It looks like a normal racer and the next thing you’re flying out of back alleys and over waterfalls. The adventure subtitle is spot on. The game was great fun when I first played it and I enjoyed my fleeting play through today. I’d love to see a newer version as the madcap gameplay still brought a smile to my face today! EA need to get more Beetle games out there!

Wave Race 64:

I only played this for about five minutes. Just to make sure it was still one of my favourite titles ever. No disappointments here! Wave race still has more subtlety than most games ever made and the water still looks great today – albeit in a warped artistic sense.

Diddy Kong Racing:

I forgot how colourful this game is and it’s also incredibly sharp for an N64 game. Rare still pioneer what the N64 could do 11 years on. Wonderful. The individual vehicles also handle well and this only made me realise how the recent DS version was a poor imitation of the original. The music is still the stuff of legends and as soon as I heard Timber I knew I could fall in love with this gem all over again. Not only is DKR one of the most varied racers on the N64, it’s also one of the best looking titles too.

Mario Kart 64:

Having played DKR I was shocked at how poor the graphics were. The geometry is still great though and most of the courses are the stuff of legend. Shame I nodded off twice when playing Rainbow Road! It's sooo long. (The F-Zero X version is over in 2 seconds though!) The handling took awhile to get into as it seemed like all of the karts had wheels made of ice. No doubt the tightening that took place in recent versions is a good thing. The courses and music were the real draws for me. I hated the AI the first time around and time hasn’t made them any nicer. Having extensively played the title I don’t think it has aged well at all. Thank goodness that the (saving grace that is) multiplayer was still a riot!

Mario Kart 64:

I hadn't played this game in a long time and was wondering how it would play now, on my own. As can be expected from a game that is 12 years old, the graphics aren't all that great to look at anymore. But honestly, I didn't care. Sure everything is "blocky", but the bright colours and the awesome music made me all happy inside. Some of the music in this game is really great, and I was humming along quite often.

I only got to play through the single player (GP at 150cc), but I was immediately drawn back to the days when I first got the game. It is a bit more difficult to handle than the more recent MK games; the karts seem to bounce against walls very easily. You also get punished pretty bad for simply driving into an object (which will send you spinning). The AI also seems to cheat quite a bit; even when you drive perfectly and when you get multiple mushrooms they still appear right behind you - again and again. Thankfully, revenge is still as euphoric as ever as you hang a green shell behind your kart and let them drive right into it. Awesome!

I also love the small things in this game, like the sound effects you are visually shown on screen (CRASH when you get hit, POOMP when you make a jump and a little whistle when you drive over a banana but press your brakes, which prevents you from spinning). Nice touches which are still unique to that specific title.

Maybe certain aspects of the game haven't aged well (mostly visuals) and it really has being bettered by the newer versions. Yet this game is still really fun to play. And who doesn't get a smile on their face when they hear that awesome Mario voice say "You were pretty good!".

Mario Kart 64:

Mario Kart 64 is my favourite of the series.. despite my SNES favourite Koopa Troopa dropping out in favour of Wario! Thankfully though, he was not forgotten due to the inclusion of Koopa Troopa Beach - one of the Mushroom Cup's best tracks. (Though, lets face it.. all the circuits in this game were great...the best in any Mario Kart game by a long way, in my opinion).

I put this game on now and again (mainly just to watch, and hear, the wonderful credits...and attempt the risky Rainbow Road shortcut!) and although some of you suggest that the game has not aged well, (true to some extent) the memories of this title means that any time I play it I have a fantastic time. Great music, super tracks and brilliant gameplay make this a classic!

1080 Snowboarding:

Best �9.99 I ever spent? Probably! As with most of the games on this list, it is one of my favourite games ever. Snowy levels have often been the ones I love the most (particularly Freezeezy Peak in Banjo-Kazooie) so to have a game based entirely on the wonderful white powder was almost like a dream come true!

Even before the game began, progressing through the menu felt refreshing with some very cool music as everyone sat around the cabin. Even though they all knew I was going to plump for the "King of the Slope:" Kensuke Kimachi. (His first, but hopefully not his last appearance - why was he and Dion not in Avalanche?!)

There may not have been many tracks, but each one provided something different. I'll never forget the first time I jumped off the edge quite near the start of Dragon Cave, falling an awful long way with clothes ruffling in the wind.

The analogue control is still great and the simple inclusion of pressing the Z-Button to 'tuck' your boarder was something which made the game shine! The Contest was also a highlight and I still play this game every Halloween (and often many more times throughout the year) and it still has that magic that first made me fall in love with it. Bring on a Wii Version!

V-Rally 99 Edition:

What a Christmas this was for me as V-Rally 99 Edition filled my stocking!

Although in many respects this is technically not the best Rally game ever, it was my first (and most definitely my favourite!) Whilst a few magazines were less than complementary about the difficult-to-get-to-grips-with steering and pop-up, I was in agreement with the 90% rating this received in N64 Magazine. There was huge satisfaction in learning to handle the cars and there was around 50 tracks to put these skills to the test! If you wanted to thrash a Subaru Impreza around the tarmac roads of Corsica or the muddy English terrain, or slide the unlockable Lancia Delta Integrale round the snow of Sweden, this was the game to get on your N64.

Top Gear Rally:

Coastline, Jungle, Desert, Mountain, Stripmine. They were all here - all 5 of them. Whilst V-Rally had it's abundance of tracks, Top Gear Rally had a field of 20 racers where you fought your way up from the back to aim for 1st place by the time the end of Lap 3 came around.

I played this game again and it still has a lot to offer! The courses were all great fun to rally around, especially with the superb handing each car provided. Whatever racer you took around the track, you could fully customise too. Few games on the N64 offered the ability to decal/colour you car as mucha s this did and it was brilliant fun!

TG Rally 2 expanded on the originals customisation and offered teams to race for as well as a damage system which would seriously affect your race. Drive too fast over a railway track and you're in for a flat tire! It was a much more difficult game, but another great racing game in the N64 Library!

Diddy Kong Racing:

I always wanted to play this upon release yrt only got it last year! Despite having no previous experience with the game, it was amazing to play after all these years. I erally feel it is up there with Mario Kart 64. Great tracks, great music, great vehicles, great characters and even great weapons! This has it all.

F-Zero X:

Having loved F-Zero GX I decided to get this last year too, having missed it the first time around. As I turned on the N64 and got hit by a rock solo, I knew this game was going to be special. From The Title Screen to Big Blue and Mute City to Silence.. F-Zero X has some of the best music I have experienced in a game! Thankfully, the game still provides a challenge. If you don't have this, I urge you to download this onto your Wii now!

Excitebike 64:

Unfortunately, this game seems to have been missed by a lot of people as it came late in the N64's life. I remember reading through N64 Magazine and reading the Excitebike 64 review over and over, looking at all of the cool stuff you could do. Eventually my brother said "Let's get it" so, we did. A couple of hours later we came home and slipped the cartridge out in. "I quite like the music" was one of my first impressions as I navigated the menus towards my first tutorial. Learning how to control the bike was tricky at first, but after some practice I was turbo-ing my way to victory.

Excitebike 64 was not an easy game and provided a stern challenge for those who wanted to finish each difficulty (and see every track the game has to offer). Whether it was 'Jumpin' Jim Rivers or Bobby 'Big Dog' Malone, or any of the other riders on offer, you couldn't help but have fun boosting off the top of ramps for 'Big Air'. This particularly shows in the wonderful leap of faith across the huge gap on Canyon Chasm, one of the games great tracks.

F1 World Grand Prix:

"Let's See That Again!" said the adverts. And I saw it plenty! I would never claim to be an F1 fan and I certainly didn't know much about it when the N64's best F1 racing game came out! But as soon as the Player's Choice version of F1 World Grand Prix came around, I couldn't resist buying it. The game looked great and I had read good things about it.. and the game was fantastic! From Practice, to Qualifying right to the Grand Prix, this game delivered a wonderful experience with great visuals, sound and feel! It took a lot of practice to get good but the satisfaction that came with winning your first Grand Prix was excellent - especially if you had achieved it in the rain! This is still an 'A' game now.

Well that's the second day over already! We would like to thank Darksnowman, Mr Bogus, Eenuh, /Nando/ and Fierce_link for their excellent and insightful views - yet we still have more to come tomorrow! Don't forget to let us know your favourite or most hated racers on the N64 as well as the reasons why in our forums!