World Driver Championship

Boss Game Studios returns with what has been described as, and probably is, somewhat of a Gran Turismo competitor. World Driver Championship is just about the most sim-like racer on the N64, handling-wise--and it holds up decently in that sense. The vehicles, based on real cars but unfortunately not licensed, slide around relatively realistically and are fun to drive, particularly in manual transmission. On the other hand, collisions with other vehicles and walls are disappointingly bouncy and arcade-like.

The game's tracks are set in cities across the world and are well-designed and look great; World Driver Championship is arguably one of the best-looking games on the console, and it runs smoothly to boot provided there aren't too many other vehicles on-screen. Sound effects, though, are mediocre, as is the game's dull rock soundtrack.

In a step back from Top Gear Rally and at odds with World Driver's sim focus, desirable features like decal customisation and vehicle tuning are missing. Better versions of each car are available, but Boss reverted to an arcade-like system of incrementally-increasing acceleration, handling, top speed and weight attributes. These new cars become available as you progress through a long and tedious grind in the game's Championship mode, earning new ranks by competing against difficult AI. Qualification feels just about essential to having a chance at winning, but is just as difficult as the races themselves. The endless grind becomes disheartening and repetitive as you race on the same tracks and cups over and over attempting to progress.

World Driver Championship has a little potential as a sim racer on the N64, if partly due to lack of competition. But ultimately, its tedious grind, failure to delve further into simulation, and lack of licensing let it down and make it feel like too little too late on the heels of the success of Gran Turismo.