Wave Race is a 1992 racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. It is the first game in the Wave Race series. The player controls a jet skier around a track aiming to beat the computer or up to three friends using the link cable accessory.

Gameplay

There game contains two gameplay modes. The first, "Slalom", has 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. The second, "Race" is where 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.

Development and release

Reception

Wave Race on the Game Boy garnered average reception from critics. Nintendo Power's George Sinfield and Rob Noel wrote that the game successfully emulated the feel of watercraft racing. They praised the effect of skidding around corners, and recommended the four-player multiplayer experience. A writer for German magazine Mega Fun commended the game's audiovisual presentation, playability and multiplayer mode. Joystick's Olivier Karali gave the game favorable remarks for its "exemplary" playability, particularly the controls. N-Force's Nick Roberts and Carl Rowley considered it a mediocre and frustrating racing game. While they found the visuals to be well detailed and the soundtrack average, they felt its gameplay lacked depth. Consolemania's Alessandro Rossetto praised the game's realistic controls, sound, and playability, but criticized the graphics for their lack of variety. Selby Bateman of Game Players Nintendo Guide noted the solid feel the personal watercrafts have when turning in the water. Bateman also commended the game's graphical department, multiplayer mode, and auto-save feature. Video Games' Michael Paul highlighted the game's controls and difficulty level, stating that "If you're looking for a multi-player game that's also fun to play solo, Wave Race is the right wave for you". Total!'s Thomas Hellwig and Sandra Alter found it to be a thrilling title, citing its intelligent opponents and tracks, but saw the poor collision detection and constant flickering as shortcomings. Hobby Consolas criticized Wave Race on the Game Boy for its weak visuals and poor playability. Nintendo Acción's Juan Carlos García faulted the game's mediocre graphics, repetitive tracks, and viewing perspective. Power Unlimited recommended the game for "speed enthusiasts who love the Game Boy". Joypad's Kendy Ty panned its slow scrolling, and labelled it as a "poor man's Micro Machines". Player One's Stéphane Pilet lauded its audiovisual department, playability, and multiplayer. Writing for Retro Gamer, Clarance Frank regarded it as "A nice start to the Wave Race franchise which, while differing greatly from its later console counterparts, contained plenty of ideas that transferred successfully into the 3-D versions". In a series retrospective, Jon Partridge of Red Bull Games celebrated its fresh take on the racing genre, tight controls, gameplay, unique setting, and multiplayer.

Legacy

Wave Race sold well enough to earn a Player's Choice medal. It 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.