All N64 Racing Games challenge

Here is information about me playing every N64 racing game. I wanted to play all of them and write about all of them, and hopefully document some useful information for others.

The goal is to, very roughly, review and compare every racing game released on the n64. Such things are subjective, obviously. Here's how I see my biases:

• I grew up with the N64, so I'm more tolerant (or perhaps, have built a tolerance) for rough frame rates, blurry textures, and the other general n64 nonsense.
• I'm playing on real hardware, on a CRT. S-Video, if it matters to you.
• I play all games on a gamecube controller, because all of the N64 pads I have are thrashed.
  • This is a huge positive for games that require heavy stick input, i.e. Ridge Racer 64
  • As of 2026 reboot, games are played with a Hori mini pad
• Physics are the primary importance. A game can be sorely lacking in other sections but with the right physics, be an enjoyable game to me
  • Case in point: Wipeout (1995, PS1)
• Any rave influenced music will be a positive to me
• I'd say I prefer more difficult games over less difficult, but I primarily want that difficulty to be in the bulk of the game, rather than only at the very end or in non primary components (i.e. staff ghosts)
  • I prefer the difficulty to be in mastering the game's physics, not fighting RNG (Mario Kart) or needless timesinks (Stunt Race 64, Ridge Racer Type 4 (1999, PS1) )

Each essay will follow the this format:

Brief Overview - does what it says on the tin

Early Impressions - Going to write down what I think about the game 30m-1h in, somewhat brief, to see how my thoughts change over the course of the playthrough.

Physics - All about the button inputs and how they feel through the game. What does the game want me to do, to go fast or win?

Aesthetic - Graphics, art direction, sound, and music. All wrapped up into one.

Gameplay - No, not the physics. How does the game progress? Do you redo the same races over and over? Do you upgrade things? Basically, the rest of the game

Ranking - Stealing Radon's "Rank a game above/below other games already played". Games are ranked relative to each other, nothing else. No tier list, no scores.

Previous Experiences

Also, here is a more detailed rundown of every N64 racing game on the list that I have previously played, and to which extent. This will be notated more breifly in the spreadsheet.

Wave Race 64 - Played as a rental as a kid, maybe once in emulator since then. Have seen playthroughs and footage of it since. I don't recall it's feel at all.

Cursi'n USA - Played on emulator as a kid, and some in arcades. Not a lot of play as I recall the game being very sparse.

Mario Kart 64 - Played at SOME point? Maybe?

Extreme G - Played a fair bit as a kid. Beat some portion of the game, pretty sure I used cheats to unlock the better bikes.

Top Gear Rally - Played in emulator at some point, might have beaten a big chunk of the game. <1 hour since then testing it out on console, I think.

San Franciso Rush: Extreme Racing - Have played tons of, both as a kid and recently. Most recent N64 racing game I've played starting the challenge. Kinda want to speedrun it.

Off Road Challenge - Rented it at some point, thought it was fun but basic.

Crusi'n World - Played in emulator at some point, thoughts similar to USA

F-Zero X - Owned as a kid, was sad that it didn't play like GX.

Wipeout 64 - Played for less than an hour not too long ago, was upset it didn't play like PS1 Wipeout titles

Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA - Played lots as a kid, some also recently. Very familiar.

Extreme G 2- Played some as a kid, not as much as the first game.

Beetle Adventure Racing - Played as a kid in emulator as well as recently. Think I've beaten it once over.

California Speed - Played as a kid in emulator, recall it being quite quirky.

Star Wars Episode 1 Racer - Saw other kids play it as a child. Remember the "Fat man squeeze"

Monster Truck Madness 64 - Rented multiple times as kid, also played in emulator and a smidge recently. Impressions were that it is difficult.

Hot Wheels Turbo Racing - Beat as a kid, fond memories.

Destruction Derby 64 - Rinsed this game as a kid. Have revisited a few times. Looking forward to 100%ing it in ~2 hours.

Top Gear Rally 2 - I might have played this game? I recall a game where the final unlockable car was a caterham 7...

Ridge Racer 64 - Absolutely rinsed this game over the years, one of my favorites of all time. Part of the reason why I'm doing this "challenge"

Hydro Thunder - Played a decent amount as a kid.

Excite Bike 64 - Played an hour or two breifly, recently. Was not a fan.

San Franciso Rush 2049 - Another childhood favorite, love the game.

Stunt Racer 64 - Played somewhat recently, was NOT a fan. But still finished it.

Crusi'n Exotica - Played in emulator as a kid. See thoughts about USA

Rankings So Far