AeroGauge
| AeroGauge | |
|---|---|
 North American Nintendo 64 cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Locomotive Games |
| Publisher(s) | ASCII Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release date(s) |
‹See Tfd› |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
AeroGauge is a futuristic hovercraft racing game for the Nintendo 64 released in 1998 (1997 in Japan).
Ascii's AeroGauge is conceptually similar to Psygnosis' Wipeout or Acclaim's Extreme G. The main difference is that the vehicles in the game fly instead of staying a few meters over the track, so it's possible to maneuver them in the air.[1]
Overview
Aerogauge takes place in Asia during the year 2065. The game has four tracks and five vehicles from the start, with additional tracks and vehicles that can be unlocked via the Grandprix and Time Attack modes. The game includes vehicle damage, which is shown with a meter on the bottom of the player's HUD. As the player gains damage, their vehicle will begin to spark and smoke. If a player acquires too much damage, their vehicle will stop, slowly land to the ground and the screen will fade black with the text "Retire". To prevent this, players can repair damage by flying through the tracks' shield regenerating areas at low altitude.
Game Modes
The game has four different game modes to choose from the menu.
Grandprix
Grandprix is single-player. It is a basic championship, having the player race against [[Artificial intelligence (video games) |computer-controlled]] vehicles on every map in the game. Before each race, the player is required to take two qualifying laps which, determines starting position for the race based on the player's best time and how it compares to the computer's. The actual race is three laps around the course, against seven opponents all of which blast off from the starting line rapidly, usually leaving the player behind to catch up. After a race, the player is rewarded points depending on their finishing position; better placement gives more points. Points from each race in the Grandprix are totaled to determine the winner.
Singlematch
Singlematch is also a single player mode. It is one race against computer A.I. on a track chosen by the player. Like the Grandprix, it requires two qualifying laps to determine starting position.
VS
VS mode is two-player, where two human players choose a track and race on it. There are no qualifying laps and no computer opponents.
Time Attack
Time Attack mode is another single player mode. It is a time trial on a track chosen by the player. The player can choose to do either three or an infinite number of laps. If the player selects to do three laps, ghosts can be saved on a memory card and loaded to race.
AeroMachines
In the game universe, an AeroMachine is a vehicle with the ability to produce a strong field of localized magnetic flux. The AeroMachines are the vehicles used in the Sky Step. There are 10 available AeroMachines, with 5 being available from the start and 5 being unlockable.
Each of the AeroMachines is rated based on six categories displayed in a radar chart. The categories are speed (maximum air speed), steering (turning capability), accele (acceleration), aero limit (speed needed to get airborne), shield (endurance), and stability (gripping power).
Tracks
There are 6 tracks in the game, with 4 available from the start and 2 being unlockables.
Reception
The game received a "4.5 Poor" rating from GameSpot and an "5.2 Mediocre" from IGN. The GameSpot reviewer stated that "AeroGauge is really nothing spectacular as it displays some of the worst pop-up seen in a racer in a long time."[1]
References
- 1 2 Joe Fielder (June 10, 1998). "AeroGauge Review (N64)". GameSpot. Retrieved 2016-08-03.