The Final Word game review

Stunt Racer 64 -- Boss Game Studios/Midway

R.I.P.
Midway needs to fire the coders who continue to make embarrassments like Rush 2, and give no end of praise to the guys at Boss who have created for them one of the best racing games for the N64. Midway should also fire the dipshit responsible for deciding that this game should be rental only. Ahhh... nuts! Just screw Midway, why should they get any credit for this game. Boss needs to do more games this good on their own and get a better publisher who wouln't take their hard work and give it the movie equivalent of a B.F.Iowa only release! Gee, do I sound mad? Yes!

After following the on again/off again soap opera of this game's release plans over the last year, imagine my surprise when I found it sitting on the shelf at Blockbuster. I checked out the box and that was that, straight home and into the system. My first thoughts upon playing it were that "this is exactly what F-Zero 64, and Hot-Wheels Racing should have been like."

The cars are hot-wheelsish/late 50sish. The levels and music border on the cartoonish at times, which takes a few plays to get used to. But, once you're into the game, you really aren't paying much attention to the music and all of it works into the groove of play. Besides, if you don't like the music you can turn it down. The most important thing though is the racing action in this game, and it is really the top high point here... it just rocks.

Of course, being a fantasy racing game, there are the required elements such as nitros, turbos, stunts, and coins (to pick up on the track to buy car upgrades/new cars). The game runs in elimination heats across several tracks. You play in a league until you win through the rounds and earn the chance to race against the Boss for the series. If you beat the boss, you get their car added to your garage.

The play control is tight and right on the money, and the skill level is decent for any player to enjoy, but don't expect a walk in the park beyond the first heat. This game is one of the best racing titles for the system to be sure and I strongly recommend it.

Lastly, if this game never makes it out to retail, it will be a real shame. Personally I think anyone who rents this title and likes it even a smidgen should contact Midway and chew them out for not releasing it for retail sale. As it stands, as of writing this I've been told that the game will be a Blockbuster rental only. Period. End of story.

(11/2000)