Retro Lookback: Excitebike 64

Developer: Left Field Productions
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Dates and Platforms (US): April 30, 2000 (Nintendo 64)
Genre: Racing

Excitebike 64 continues the Excite series from the NES days, and also marks the first 3D Excite game. Despite the 3rd dimension, it still plays like classic Excite.

Excitebike 64 plays like classic Excitebike, only with 3D tracks. You have your Turbo which you can use to go faster, but you have to try not to overheat. You can also control your jumps by pulling back and pushing forward on the stick and try to land flush on the land so you don't drop speed. Instead of you vs the clock, you have 5 rival racers to out do to get in first each race. TThe main mode is Season mode, where you compete in cups of 5 tracks each to get overall 1st. There are a selection of riders to choose from each with different stats that are better or worse in 4 different categories. There are 3 modes of difficulty, with higher difficulties unlocking more cups. There is also a tutorial mode to complete to help get you familiar with the game and controls (plus, you get something if you complete the whole tutorial). The indoor stadium tracks are 3 laps long and the outdoor tracks are 2 laps. By getting 1st in every race, you unlock more extras as well. The extras include a Stunt Track, a Hill Climb course, a Desert track where you have to go from waypoint to waypoint, a Soccer game, a 3D version of the classic Excite track, and even the full NES game. There is still a Time Trial so you can race the clock, and a Track Editor where you can make and save your own tracks. There is also multiplayer for up to 4 players, you can play on any of the standard tracks or specials tracks. The physics are solid, and the game is arcady enough to not feel like a simulation, it strikes a good balance.

The music and graphics are good, with the motorcycles sounding like real motorcycles instead of high pitched wines.

Bottom Line: Excitebike 64 feels like the NES game and is enjoyable with good physics and fun multiplayer action with the cool track editor like the NES game, but if you prefer the old game, you got it in the extras. This game deserves a Play.