Review: San Fan Rush with a splash of Wave Race
Lately, Boat Racing games have become more and more popular on consoles. Most of these games couldn't compete with other racing games, but with the power of the 128-bit Dreamcast, Midway has made it possible. When Hydro Thunder reached the Arcades, gamers were shoving quarters down this machine non-stop, but when they heard that Midway was brining the game to Dreamcast, they all said, "It'll never compare to the Arcade version." And now, we can all point and laugh at these people because the Dreamcast version of Hydro Thunder rules!
Hydro Thunder's visuals really outshine most racing games out there. Details from the trail of water you leave behind, to the reflection of the water, wipeout other games as far as the looks go. The eleven tracks throughout the game are built with many obstacles and secret passages to cruise all thirteen of your detailed boats in and out of. The views of the surroundings are probably the greatest graphical feat in Hydro Thunder. There are many places in a course, where you pass a certain area, and an action of the volcano or spears flying at you in The Lost Islands. By far, Hydro Thunder tops all racers in the category.
The controls are simple and easy to follow. The game feels like San Francisco Rush on the water with a touch of Wave Race. Although the controls are different from the Arcade version, mostly due to the wheel and stick used in the arcade machine. The conversion was made nicely, using the analog Right and Left buttons and the Dreamcast analog stick. Speeding with the boosters feel really cool, skipping over the water and basically going airborne at point. Now that's a Racing game.
The audio was done well, just like the Arcade version of Hydro Thunder. The music soundtrack is almost exactly the same as the arcade, but still is enjoyable to listen to. The sound effects range from the motor of the boats, to outside "civilian" boats. You may pass the cops with sirens, yelling in Greek and you can ride by, and even hit, the tour boats with people yelling and screaming. Reminds me of Crusin' USA in a way, only done a whole lot better. If you are judging the game on sound quality only, Hydro Thunder is an excellent Dreamcast choice.
Was I satisfied with Hydro Thunder? Well, although the Dreamcast version is a near perfect port of the Arcade, you may get tired of having the game around, and be better off showing a couple quarters down the machine. Why spend all that money for a Dreamcast title that gets old, just spend about $5.00 worth of quarters in the Arcades. However if this is your kind of game, and you can stick with it, its worth the buy and will satisfy. There isn't any slowdown in the one player game, although you may experience some during the two-player mode. Midway did a fine job on this title, hopefully we can see a sequel sometime soon.
If Hydro Thunder lacks one thing, it's in replay. If its one thing I couldn't stand, it was the fact that I knew this game would get old, even during the third time playing a certain course. This could be the one downfall of the game, although the decent two-player mode keeps it up to date.
