GENRE
	Racing
	DEVELOPER
	Probe
	PUBLISHER
	Acclaim
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-4
	CONTROLLER PAK
	yes
	RUMBLE PAK
	yes
	RAM PAK
	no
	BUY NOW AT

Driving home with Extreme G in my passenger seat last week, I began to ponder... what did I just buy? Why did I run out and spend part of my paycheck on another racing game? Well, I continued home and ran straight to my N64 deck to try this puppy out... and boy oh boy, I am hooked like crazy. Not only do I love the Acclaim racer, but I think it puts it's two most influential daddy's, F-Zero and Wipeout(XL), in it's proper place-one notch below. Now I shall rant and rave about why this is one of the awesomest racers I have ever played.

visuals

Sweeeeet. The visuals do not disappoint at any point in the game. From the title demo to the menus to the actual game play, the graphics are represented like they should be on the N64. The scenery and the textures themselves are nicely done, while some games stretch and skew their textures to conserve space, Probe did this to conserve space but give the feeling of speed as well, and XG gets away with it. All of the exotic locales are different, crammed with goodies (rarely desolate track-sides) and produced with a nice polygon count. The tracks go from earth tones to futuristic blues and purples to techno grays...you get the idea. The motif of the visual design is very futuristic, something straight out of The Fifth Element, and it is carried out flawlessly.

The bikes of Extreme G are also treats for your retinas. Resembling those street crawlers from that movie Tron, the bikes are very cool, sleek, and stylin'. 12 in all to choose from, smashed with polygons and flung on to the already nice tracks, the bikes fit the game perfectly...especially when you put this cart in motion. Lighting effects hug the cycles as well as the track and produce those epileptic spasms that they warn you about in every game box. You think strobe lights are bad, play XG with the lights off in a small room and you'll see what I'm talking about.

As for the special effects, well they too are pretty special. Smokin' missiles and crazy explosions often pollute the courses. Shield collisions flare around your bike when hit and track crud and sparks fly from the tires when the nitros are put into effect. You won't be surprised to find lens flare in every stage, I mean, it's in every game now-a-days (I still remember the first game ever to have it, don't think I forgot, EW Jim). But with multiple suns/moons on courses (for that oh so creative accent) there are many lens flares throughout courses. But, as these can be claimed to be overused, they are used in effective and interesting areas, such as corkscrew straights, loops, and hairpin turns.

But the one bad part of the visuals is the famous N64 fog. From what I have read throughout video game mags, their scores were affected by the fog. I can't believe that, especially when I first played the game and saw that it hardly affected the game at all. It is never annoying, and dies not hinder vision of the medium and close distance, so I don't see the problem. It's noticeable, not Turok though, but not as big as a thing as every makes it out to be. Overall, the stuff you see on screen will not be a negative factor while playing, I guarantee.

audio

Ah, the part of a cartridge that most N64 games throw-up in, the sound. Well, we shall split this into two sections this time around, La Musica (the music, for my non-spanish speaking friends) and the Sound Effects. First, the music.

Music- Some really good tunes litter the game. All of it consists of techno- arranged beats, that fit the grungy game mood. Dark, crazy, and pumpin', just the way I like it. Not only are the cuts easy to enjoy, but there's lots of them. A music cut for almost every race course in the game(12) not to mention cuts for the battle arenas as well (he he, we'll get into battle in a bit). This isn't crappy techno either, it something that almost makes me want to record it and blast it through my car, in fact...

Sound fx- OK, the fx are good as well. Booms and bangs and whooms from missiles and explosions. The whirrrs of the bikes are oh so fresh and inventive, and compliment the ambiance of an approaching vehicle. The weapon noises are cool too! The only thing missing was a screeching skid stop sound, but that's all I noticed that could have been thrown in.

gameplay

Magnificent. First time around, a little sensitive due to the analog popsicle, but you get the hang of it all in a couple of races. You won't be taking turns like Andretti, that comes later, but you get better at the little things. You learn that the turns are long and curved, so you need to hug the inside at all times and do a little de-cceleration (my physics teacher would kill me if he saw that word). You'll learn that loops don't always go in straight lines and that dips and inclines don't always keep you on the road surface. That's another thing, if there ever was a difference between F-Zero, Wipeout, and XG, it's the on- screen driving. You see, in F-Zero and Wipeout you ride in between the rails, but in XG, (if you're a beginner, ahem) you end up riding on them. XG is crazy folks. The speed will make your eyes bleed, and when you hit one of the three nitros that are supplied each race, expect to lose control. Oh, and the other bikes don't care if you hit them or not, cause all there AI says is to get weapons, kill, and win the race...what more do they need to know? The AI comes on strong sometimes too, you'll be crusin' along at your 200 mph speed, when out pops those freaks who were in second, third, and fourth place, leaving you in fourth and allowing you to miss out on all the after race points...but they don't care because they're only silicon in a plastic case. HA HA.

The game consists of four circuits, each containing three courses (12 in all) and three difficulty levels. There are also three modes when playing the contest portion of the game, as you race you open up more newer courses depending on whether or not you have enough points to proceed. Nice, and it keeps you playing. Other ways to play are Time Trials, Shoot Em Up mode, which throws you on the course of your choice with some funky little jumping bots, letting you shoot as many as you possibly can in three laps, all for the sake of competition.

Other than all that is the Battle Modes. That's right, as if XG wasn't a solid game already, there are a few kinds of battle modes to choose from. There is Head To Head, which is the equal to Super Mario Kart's 4-player vs., no CPU racers, just you and your friends (if you got any). But do not fret, for XG does have a Cup Mode that allows up to 4 people play in races, with the CPU racers! Ta dah! The next mode is Flag Game which throws up to 4 players in a race course to capture as many XG logo flags (scattered throughout the course) as you can. The man/woman with the most, wins. And last but not least, full fledged, XG certified, Battle Mode, complete with four funky 3D arenas. And we're not talking Moo Moo Farm crap like Kart, these are damp, grungy garage/parking areas with ramps and dead ends. All super fun. All festive. All crazy. All good.

multiplayer

Some stunning work here folks. XG's multiplayer has stood the test of time with its consistent framerate and intense action. Great game with a great mutliplayer feature.

overall

If you didn't know by now, I support the XG revolution. Come join at super-human speeds, inhumane weapons that go boom in the night, and the best locales this side of Jamaica and Mars put together. There's even a track that looks like Mars Attacks meets The Wizard of OZ...I'm not makin' that up either-track12-last one. In case you didn't know this either, XG rumbles, comes prepared for controller paks of all kinds, dishes out passwords for those poor folks, comes equipped with secret bikes, and tons upon tons of cheats. Can you say the Roach bike in wireframe mode? Experience XG, and you shall know about the nicest racer so far. Thanx to Michael Simmons for suggesting the purchase, it was worth the (yeah, I paid only , ha ha). Acclaim deserves much acclaim, and Probe too. You may not agree with my score, but I think it's perfect, and I don't take off for fog. XG occupies me for hours and gives me a reason to forever enjoy my entertainment console.

9.0/10