Review: EA gets down and dirty racing style
Nintendo has finally received a motorbike game for N64, and who better to then EA Sports. A gamer looking for the arcade Excitebike on the N64 may be slightly disappointed, but in the end, they will find they have a different motorbike game. Better? Maybe..
The visuals in Supercross 2000 run smoothly and just look great. Although, you can't compare these graphics to any other N64 motorbike game, the fact being there is none, it will be a challenge to top these visuals. Everything from the courses, to the riders looks top-notch. There many camera views to choose from, all giving a nice angle and perspective on things. Although the default view is the best, the first person perspective is worth trying out too. You can't go wrong by looking the backwards to see what's coming up your way with the L button. Nice touch on all the cameras.
The Crashes look real, compared to many other racing games out there. The full effect is really captured there. The menus are easy and quick to figure out so you'll be In the Game in no time at all. The replay mode is nicely done with options of different views and angles. Although you may see some clipping going on during the game, you will be ignoring it and concentrating on the gameplay.
Next, we have the controls. Since Supercoss 2000 handles more realisticly, you may find it hard at first to steer you bike. Until you find out how to ride the thing, you won't be having too much fun, but it shouldn't take more then a few tries to master it all. The scheme of all the buttons fixed well, making easy to access the ones needed at any given point. Once you are a pro at these controls, the game not only plays better, but you win whole a lot more. Definitely an advantage.
Some of the best audio is present out of any N64 game to date. From the music, to the effects, and most especially to the commentary, EA has it covered. Ok, so the hum of the motors may be annoying at times, but that's part of the fun. The music during the option menus is positively the best out of any N64 game to date. They actually have REAL music, by bands, with lyrics...and it sounds good! It isn't annoying to the extent of reaching for the Mute button ASAP. Meanwhile, PSX gamers with, "pssst, what the hell are they so happy about, its only music." Music to my ears my rival gamer, la la and la.
Who can forget the commentary, another lacking thing for N64, yet EA Sports does well. What's this..? Yes, the commentary..? "It's good," for once on N64, what a novelty. Art Eckman from ESPN made the comments showing how high the sound value is on N64, so high you might ask..."Do they serve Pretzels on that flight?"
Was I satisfied with Supercross 2000? I would have to say that I really liked N64's first motorbike game...a lot. I'm not a fan of this type of racing at all, but when you flip through the channels on TV and see these guys speed through the dirt tracks, flying off the hills, you wonder, would this make a good videogame? The answer lies in the game, and the fact that you were truly satisfied with what you played, or not. Though the game may be more of a sim, you can't help but enjoy everything it presents
With more then decent graphics, controls, and sound going for the game, you may want to try it out, or by chance buy the game. The only problem is that there were two other motorbike games released on the N64. Nintendo's ol' racing classic update, Excitebike 64, and Acclaim's Jeremy McGarth Supercoss. With those two speeding down the track as well, you may want to hold onto your money to test each one out first. Although, if you decide to pick this one up now, you won't go wrong here.
Lastly, the replay fits nicely with the other four categories rated. The game offers everything from quick play to season mode, with up to two player support. There is also freestyle which basically pits you in a large arena, like Monster Truck events, and you can perform your stunts and tricks to impress me. The game will keep you coming back for a while before you ever really get tired of it.
