HYDRO THUNDER
REVIEW

This arcade racer is set in the world of speedboat racing, with possibly the best looking environments ever on a home console! The detail and size on some of the polygon models is incredible! Coupled with the sheer breakneck speed that everything runs at, this is one no brain fun racer.

For your money, you basically get the arcade game, with a few bits bolted on. Whether the Dreamcast version mimics the arcade parent accurately, I couldn't say, as I've never seen it. There are 3 initially selectable tracks to race on, with 3 boats to use. Place third or better in all of these, then you get another 3 tracks and boats. Place second or above, you get 3 more, and further first placings earn you four bonus courses and craft. Each track is very long, littered with shortcuts and bonuses and looks stunning! You really have to see some of the insane waterfalls you speed off! The views are brilliant, with little or no pop-up! Boats are very varied, but you'll only go for the ones with the highest top speed, as it is quite hard to get high placings otherwise. Each boat has a limited amount of turbo boost, which can be topped up by collecting boost items.

Also worth mentioning, are the superb water effects. Not since Wave Race on the Nintendo 64 has digital water looked so good. Waves, reflections, transparencies and waterfalls all look incredible. At any time, you can see deep under the surface, to structures below, and at the same time, see reflections and light bouncing off the constantly rippling surface. Very, very good.

Now to the bad points. Well, to be honest, there aren't too many. Ok, it's basic to play. You just zoom around the tracks, as fast as possible, time after time. This could get dull quite quickly once you've gained everything. There is a tiny bit of slowdown when a high number of boats spray water close to the camera. It's very infrequent, so little worry. The presentation is poor, with a very long to load high score table, oh, and the rumble pack likes to vibrate once a game has finished! Other than the fact that my copy's sound effects didn't work, it's a great game.

Don't expect anything clever, and you'll be very happy. The rumoured port of Daytona 2 should be a breeze, considering the environment quality of Hydro Thunder is close to it.

Screenshots (click to enlarge)

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