From Mario Kart 64 to F-Zero X, the Nintendo 64 is home to a number of iconic racing games. This was a transitional time for the video game industry with the shift to 3D polygonal graphics replacing 2D sprite-scaling games.
Originally released in 1996 and produced by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto, Wave Race 64 is another beloved N64 racing game. 26 years later, the classic water racer is splashing onto Nintendo Switch.
Wave Race 64 coming to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
Nintendo has announced Wave Race 64 is coming to the Nintendo Switch via the Online Expansion Pack this week on 19 August.
A sequel to the 1992 GameBoy title Wave Race, Wave Race 64 has you riding the waves on jet skis through a variety of water courses while passing through buoys to increase speed and doing massive jumps over ramps.
With its realistic water physics and colourful 3D graphics, Wave Race 64 was an impressive showcase of the Nintendo 64’s capabilities and is still fun to play today.
Nintendo hasn’t announced any enhancements, but the Switch version will hopefully have online multiplayer like F-Zero X for the first time in the series.
Considering there hasn’t been a new Wave Race game since 2001’s Wave Race: Blue Storm on the GameCube, this will be many player’s introduction to the series.
This will be the third N64 racing game released for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, joining Mario Kart 64 and F-Zero X. Diddy Kong Racing next please, Nintendo?
Release date and price
Wave Race 64 will be available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers on 19 August. This is the only way to play Wave Race 64 on Nintendo Switch.
Costing £34.99 per year, a Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription gives you access to a large library of classic N64 and Sega Mega Drive titles emulated on the Switch, as well as access to DLC like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass.