The Wave Race games usually felt like demonstrations of the hardware, mostly. The N64 one was what, the fifth game on that platform? Still plays really well, one of the better racers on that platform (and N64 had a LOT). The water physics must've been great at the time.

Likewise the GC version with its changing tides, shimmering reflections and fish visible below feels similarly show-offy. Suppose Luigi's Mansion was kinda similar with its impressive lighting effects and all the little subtleties in Luigi's animations.


Honestly the lil' Cube had a pretty good launch line-up. No Mario 64 sized blockbuster perhaps, but with these 2, Monkey Ball, Rogue Leader, the Crazy Taxi port and Tony Hawk 3 it wasn't a bad start imo.

Gamecube launch, while small, felt like it had something for almost everyone. Only thing it really lacked was a sports and fighting game, but Smash came out near "launch window" to cover the fighting base.

Commenting on your Wave Race 64 water comment, the water is STILL very impressive. I need to replay the GameCube iteration, as I recall liking that, but I bought it long after release-- like, prior to the Wii U's launch just a little bit.

I never played Wave Race Blue Storm or 1080 Avalanche. I just never got to them. I keep meaning to pick them up as they sound like exactly what I want: graphical updates to awesome N64 titles with little gameplay changes.

Both are pretty decent. Wave Race Blue Storm edges out Avalanche for me. It has a lot more content, more varied and graphically impressive environments despite being out 2 years earlier, more interesting physics, and there's less water racing games out there in general. Plus very cheap nowadays!


1080 Avalanche feels a little light when compared to contemporaries like SSX Tricky, SSX 3 or even Shaun Paulmer on the PS2. There's just a lot more snowboarding games out there (Dark Summit was earlier too), not to mention similarly playing skateboard games. So only adding the sparsely-used "outrun an avalanche" mechanic felt a little lacking. Still a perfectly decent game though, not a whole lot more expensive than Wave Race either.

Always meant to get Blue Storm, but never really cared enough to make the effort. Not going to happen at this point.


Luigi's Mansion, on the other hand, I did pick up thanks to Wii being backwards-compatible, and I have fond memories of playing. It's a sweet little game and I think often overlooked or forgotten. At launch this wouldn't have been the game I wanted... but years later and without any expectations of carrying a new platform, it was absolutely charming.  (Own the 3DS sequel but haven't played it yet. It's sitting comfortably on my "when I need something good" list for a future gaming dry spot.)


Enjoyed listening, and was glad to hear to hear you came to the "right" decision.  :cool;