A racing sim for N64

Original N64europe review

Before this game came out, I heard that this game was really bad. But since I liked MRC, (if you don't know, this game was from the people who did MRC, Genki/Imagineer/Ocean) I decided to rent this game. Was this game as bad as I heard? Not really. I can understand why some people don't like this game, but if you can get the hang of braking at corners, you can have some fun with this game. Not serious fun, but just fun enough to get by. While this is no MRC, this game has a style all it's own.

Graphics: Slow, Sluggish. The frame-rate is so damn sluggish, well, it really affects the gameplay. At least MRC moved at a decent pace. In GT 64, there's little difference between 30 MPH and 300 MPH! Sad? You bet. The game looks good when you are still, but press the gas and you have a mess. Oh well, at least the car graphics are really nice and clean. Other then that, GT 64 is just a plain mess. The two-player is sloppy, a far cry from MRC. There is a ton of pop-up in GT 64, too. Overall, MRC...........when still. Press the gas and you have a MESS!

Control: In GT 64, there is a braking technique that must be mastered in order to have some decent fun with this game. Oh heck, I'll get to that in a minute. Let's talk about the buttons. A is gas, B is brake, and the C buttons is to change the camera around during the race. The control stick is a little hard at first, but once you get the hang of braking properly, you can adjust rather quickly to the control stick.

The braking technique MUST be mastered to have some decent fun, as I have already stated above. All the people who have told you that this game is a piece of crap, have not told you that they have mastered this technique. After a few hours, it becomes a second nature. Overall, bad........before you have mastered the braking technique. Good..........after you have mastered this technique.

Sound: In the audio department, things slip a little.

First, there is no music in the game. The only music in the game is on the menu screens, and it is really bad. Second, the tires sounds differ from each car, a welcome. Third, there is a slight bag when you hit cars, but ultimately, the sound sucks in GT 64. Overall, like the graphics, just a plain mess.

Gameplay: After a roller-coaster ride of up and downs for this game, we get to the gameplay, the single most important part of a game. Does GT 64 have game? Let's see.....

GT 64 offers a measly offer of 3 tracks, that are not very long at all. They are: U.S, Europe, and Japan. When I first heard about this game, I was exicted to hear that this game had 12 tracks...............before an Ocean employee said that it indeed has 12 tracks.......in a twisted way. The three tracks can be mirrored, and raced backwards. Oh well................

Once you master the braking technique, as I have stated before, you can have some decent fun with this game. To anwser my question above, does GT 64 have game? Well...............yes and no. The game is fun but if your looking for long term interest, forget about it. Overall, a limited time offer only.

Replay Value: As I have stated above, the game only has three woeful tracks. And, as I have already stated above, the game has no real long term value at all. Overall, renting material only.

Overall: Am I disappointed with GT 64? No, but it could have been a lot better. I'm glad I rented this game, because this game is NO purchase. This game is not a piece of crap, but it isn't a shrine to all N64 games, either.

Graphics: 60

Control: 80

Sound (Audio): 65

Gameplay: 75

Replay Value: 55

Overall: 70

- by Mr. Mackey