About

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Wave Race is a top-down <a href="/watercraft/3055-1479/" data-ref-id="3055-1479">personal watercraft</a> racing game developed by <a href="/nintendo-ead/3010-463/" data-ref-id="3010-463">Nintendo EAD</a> and published by <a href="/nintendo/3010-90/" data-ref-id="3010-90">Nintendo</a> for the <a href="/game-boy/3045-3/" data-ref-id="3045-3">Game Boy</a> in North America on July 1, 1992. It was later release in Europe on June 24, 1997.</p><p>A top-down racing game similar to the 1991 game <a href="/micro-machines/3030-2140/" data-ref-id="3030-2140">Micro Machines</a>, Wave Race puts players in four-player open-water races using personal watercraft (PWCs). The game includes 16 courses, split into two separate game modes (traditional racing and free-form checkpoint racing), and supports linked multiplayer via the Game Link Cable (with further support for four-player multiplayer using the Four Player Adapter).</p><p>The game later received two sequels, one for the <a href="/nintendo-64/3045-43/" data-ref-id="3045-43">Nintendo 64</a> (<a href="/wave-race-64/3030-11969/" data-ref-id="3030-11969">Wave Race 64</a>) and one for the <a href="/gamecube/3045-23/" data-ref-id="3045-23">GameCube</a> (<a href="/wave-race-blue-storm/3030-11793/" data-ref-id="3030-11793">Wave Race: Blue Storm</a>). Both sequels use a revamped style of traditional racing (using navigation similar to <a href="/skiing/3015-17/" data-ref-id="3015-17">slalom skiing</a>) with improved water physics, closed circuits, and multiple characters to choose from (each with their own unique stats).</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><h3>Game Modes</h3><p>The game includes two main game modes:</p><ul><li><strong>Circuit Mode</strong> is the game's traditional lap-based racing mode, where players maneuver around laps of numerous checkpoints (in a fixed circuit). Faster Divisions require more laps to complete. Players earn points based on their final placement in the course (5 for first place, 3 for second, 2 for third, and 1 for last), but can fail to score points if the timer expires (which refresh between laps).</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Slalom Mode</strong> is a unique checkpoint-based racing mode, where players race to claim checkpoints scattered throughout the water. Once a checkpoint is claimed by a player, it cannot be claimed by another. After all checkpoints are claimed, the race ends and players earn points based on how many checkpoints they claimed.</li></ul><p>In 1-P Mode, players start with only one Division for each game mode: National Series 550cc. In order to participate in faster Divisions (650cc and 800cc), as well as the harder World Series, players must complete each unlocked Division with a certain point requirement. In Multiplayer Mode, all Divisions are unlocked from the start.</p><p>Additionally, players can practice each Circuit and Slalom course with no opponents at any Division (regardless of how much of the game is unlocked).</p><h2>Courses</h2><p>Both Circuit and Slalom modes have eight courses each, for a total of 16 courses. Despite having different layouts, the name and division requirement for both courses are the same.</p><ol><li><strong>Bahamas</strong></li><li><strong>Hawaii</strong></li><li><strong>Corsica</strong></li><li><strong>Rio</strong></li><li><strong>Sydney</strong> (650cc and 800cc only)</li><li><strong>Miami</strong> (650cc and 800cc only)</li><li><strong>Fiji</strong> (800cc only)</li><li><strong>Bali</strong> (800cc only)</li></ol>