California Speed (video game)
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Products | California Speed |
California Speed is a racing title created and distributed by Atari Games. Originally launched for arcade machines in 1998, it was subsequently adapted for the Nintendo 64 console in 1999 by Midway. The Nintendo 64 edition is compatible with both the Controller Pak and Rumble Pak peripherals.
Gameplay
In California Speed, players engage in point-to-point racing events set throughout diverse urban and rural locations in California. Competitors can choose from several vehicles equipped with either automatic or manual gearboxes, racing against AI-controlled opponents or other players. The tracks incorporate civilian traffic and various obstacles, allowing for stunt maneuvers such as flips and wheelies. Its style of play has drawn comparisons to the Cruis'n series, which was co-developed by Nintendo and Midway.
The arcade iteration offers multiplayer functionality by linking up to four cabinets for simultaneous racing.
Development
The title was presented at prominent industry exhibitions including the January 1998 Amusement Trades Exhibition International held in London and the February 1998 AOU Show in Tokyo.
Mojave Desert billboard
In April 2012, two billboards featuring black lettering on a white background were found within the "Mojave Desert" stage of the Nintendo 64 version, containing an enigmatic message:
Morgan Godat, who worked as a texture artist on the game, clarified in February 2016 that these billboards were placeholder textures mistakenly included in the final product due to a significant time crunch during development.
Reception
The Nintendo 64 adaptation garnered mostly negative feedback according to GameRankings. Next Generation described the arcade release as targeting a broad gaming demographic and reflected that approach in its gameplay. GamePro commended the N64 conversion for its accuracy to the arcade original but warned that it might lack lasting appeal for dedicated racing enthusiasts, suggesting it as more suitable for rental. Their review assigned scores of 4 out of 5 for graphics, controls, and enjoyment, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating for audio quality.