Publisher(s) Nintendo Producer(s) Shigeru Miyamoto Series Wave Race | Director(s) Masayuki Kameyama Composer(s) Taisuke Araki | |
Developer(s) Nintendo EAD
Pax Softnica | ||
Wave Race (ウエーブレース, Uēbu Rēsu) is a 1992 personal watercraft racing video game developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Game Boy. It is the first game in the Wave Race series. The game is relatively simple, in that the player controls a jet skier around a track aiming to beat the computer or up to three friends using the link cable accessory.
Contents
Gameplay
There are two modes in which the game may be played:
The goal is to race through pairs of posts across the track. Each one passed through increases the player's score by one point. The player with the most points once all posts have been taken wins.
A race in which the player must proceed through certain checkpoints and complete each lap in a time limit. Two powerups are available on the track. The dolphin gives the player increased turning ability, while the octopus allows the recipient to steal from opponents.
In both modes there are a variety of obstacles including ramps, shallow water and whirlpools. There are eight tracks for each mode.
The game includes sixteen courses. The tracks have obstacles (buoys, pylons) and jumps. Players begin at a slower class of watercraft and graduate to faster engines. Players can also use a limited turbo boost. The game features four-player multiplayer.
Reception
Wave Race holds a score of 74% on GameRankings.
Nintendo Power wrote that the game successfully emulated the feel of watercraft racing. The reviewers praised the effect of skidding around corners, and recommended the four-player multiplayer experience.
Sequels
Wave Race sold well enough to earn a Player's Choice medal and was later followed by two sequels: Wave Race 64 and Wave Race: Blue Storm. Unlike the first game, Wave Race 64 and Wave Race: Blue Storm were also released in Japan.
In November 2016, Nintendo applied to renew the Wave Race copyright through EUIPO, hinting that the series may continue in the near future.