World Driver Championship
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| World Driver Championship | |
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| Developer(s) | Boss Game Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Midway |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release date | May 31, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | Racing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Media | Cartridge |
World Driver Championship is an automobile racing video game. It was developed by Boss Game Studios and published for the Nintendo 64 by Midway Games.
One of the last racing simulations to be released for Nintendo 64, this graphically intensive title used custom microcode optimization and high polygon count modelling. The development team was able to optimize the usage of the various processors within the N64 to allow far draw distance (reducing the need for fog or pop-up), high detail texturing and models, MP3 music, Doppler effect audio, and advanced lighting and fog effects for realistic weather conditions. Impressively the game has a high resolution 640x480 mode that does not require the add-on N64 RAM Expansion Pak. Additionally, unlike many other games of its type on the platform, the game runs high resolution at a sufficiently playable pace, undoubtedly due to the use of a reduced screen area letterbox mode that lessens the number of pixels needing to be displayed.
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[edit] Reviews
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The game received mixed reviews due to intense competition at the time. While WDC was an improvement in nearly every way compared to Boss's similar earlier effort, Top Gear Rally, it was up against the impressive new Gran Turismo series and other new racers. Complaints included a somewhat unconvincing driving physics model, non-licensed cars, and poor sound effects and music quality. The dislike for the physics model often stems from the beginning cars being difficult to drive and offering a "sloppy" feeling of control. As the game progresses and the player receives faster and better performing cars, the game becomes easier and more enjoyable.
The soundtrack, composed of original rock & heavy metal tunes, was composed by musician Zack Ohren.
[edit] Tracks
There are ten locations in the entire game, each with six tracks (marked "A", "B", and "C"), three of which are in reverse (marked "R" next to "A", "B", and "C"), except for the last track (Black Forest), which has only four, two of them being in reverse.
Here's the list:
- Hawaii
- Les Gets (a mountain village located in Southeastern France)
- Las Vegas
- New Zealand
- Lisbon
- Rome
- Sydney
- Zurich
- Kyoto
- Black Forest of Germany
[edit] Fans
Ever since World Driver Championship came out in mid 1999, fans alike has called the simulation as one of the greatest racing game title for the Nintendo 64. There has been several fan bases over the internet dedicating to WDC.
[edit] Emulation
World Driver Championship is currently not supported by any Nintendo 64 emulators under stock settings. The game uses advanced techniques that HLE emulators don't understand as of right now. This game is reported to be playable with Ziggy's LLE graphics plugin, and a hacked RSP.dll. More can be found at this topic at the Emutalk forums: http://www.emutalk.net/showthread.php?t=40640.
[edit] References
- ^ World Driver Championship Reviews. Game Rankings.
