F-1 World Grand Prix for Dreamcast | November 25, 1999

-
F-1 World Grand Prix


 F-1 World Grand Prix is a Formula 1 racing game/simulation developed by Paradigm Entertainment. Initially released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 console, it was later expanded to platforms such as Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation, and Game Boy Color. The Nintendo 64 version is based on the 1997 Formula 1 season and includes 17 circuits and 22 drivers from that season (with two unlockable bonus drivers). However, Jacques Villeneuve is excluded due to licensing issues, and the MasterCard Lola team is not included as they did not participate in the season.

The Dreamcast and Game Boy Color versions are based on the 1998 Formula 1 season, while the PlayStation (released as F1 World Grand Prix: 1999 Season) and Windows versions are based on the 1999 season. The Windows version is a sequel to the 1999 video game Official Formula One Racing.



This game features five gameplay modes. The Grand Prix mode is a simulation of the 1997 season, while Exhibition is a single race mode. Time Trial is a clock-based race, and Challenge mode recreates real-life scenarios from the 1997 season, such as winning the 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix as Damon Hill or defeating Jean Alesi at the 1997 Italian Grand Prix. The 2 Player mode allows two players to race on a single screen.

Before each race, players can adjust tire tread, fuel levels, wing angles, and other settings. Weather effects are also simulated, a common feature in racing games of the time.

Jacques Villeneuve, a driver for the Williams F1 team, does not appear in the game. Instead, a silhouette representing his body shape is used, accompanied by a virtual helmet design, and the character is referred to as Driver Williams. Players can rename this character, allowing them to create their own driver or earn additional rewards.

F-1 World Grand Prix was initially developed exclusively for the Nintendo 64. To fit the voice clips within the limited storage capacity of the Nintendo 64 cartridge, developers used voice compression technology created by Factor 5.

The N64 and Dreamcast versions received favorable reviews on the GameRankings review aggregator website. James Ashton of N64 Magazine praised the N64 version, calling it "the world's finest driving simulation." Peter Jankulovski of Hyper gave it an 86% rating, stating that it would be a great addition to any racing fan's game library. Game Informer gave positive reviews of the Dreamcast version ahead of its U.S. release. Greg Orlando of NextGen also praised the Dreamcast version in an early review, calling it one of the best titles on the Dreamcast, but noted that it might be challenging for general gamers. In Japan, Famitsu awarded the Dreamcast version a score of 40 out of 40, and the N64 version received a score of 29 out of 40. Other magazines gave above-average reviews of the Dreamcast version even during its development phase.

Edge gave the N64 version an 8/10 and later gave the Dreamcast version a 7/10. GamePro stated about the N64 version, "In conclusion, if you're one of the very, very few N64 gamers who are looking for a highly challenging F1 simulation, you'll love WGP. Or if you have the immense patience to master it, you might enjoy it. Otherwise, it's probably best to avoid WGP."

At the 1999 Cannes Milla Festival, the N64 version received the 'Gold' award for earning over 20 million euros in the EU in the previous year. The same N64 version was nominated for the Best Racing Game category at the 1998 Electronic Playground Blister Awards, but Gran Turismo won the award.

Popular posts from this blog

Crazy Taxi | January 27, 2000

-
Image
  Crazy Taxi : A Driving Game of Frenzied Passenger Pickups! "Crazy Taxi" (クレイジータクシー) is a driving action game developed and published by Sega's AM3 development division in 1999. Commonly referred to as "CureTaku" (short for "Crazy Taxi" in Japanese), it debuted in arcades and was later ported to various home consoles, becoming a franchise. Main Titles Crazy Taxi Crazy Taxi 2 Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller Gameplay: Taxi Driving Beyond Common Sense! In Crazy Taxi , the player becomes a taxi driver whose goal is to pick up customers calling from around the field and deliver them to their destinations within a time limit. To shave off seconds and get there faster, players are allowed to engage in wildly unrealistic driving maneuvers—barreling through the ocean, dashing across parks and plazas, racing through train tracks, subway platforms, and tunnels. Collisions with other cars, reckless speeding, near-misses with pedestrians (who mostly d...
Read more

Japan Professional Mahjong League officially recognized Tetsuman Menkyo-kaiden | November 18, 1999

-
Image
  Japan Professional Mahjong League Official Software. Sixteen skilled professional Mahjong players, including Madaro Nada and Takeo Kojima, appear by their real names. In the Tournament Conquest mode, by participating in monthly tournaments and earning prize money, players can take the certification exam recognized by the Japan Professional Mahjong League. If they pass the exam, they can earn the official "license" for the first-ever Shodan (1st Dan) or Nidan (2nd Dan) certified by the Japan Professional Mahjong League. In the Free Match mode, the COM player's Mahjong skill can be set to one of three levels, allowing for matches according to the player's ability.
Read more

Morita no Saikyou Reversi | April 15, 1999

-
Image
  "Morita no Saikyou Reversi" is a Reversi game that corresponds to a 50KB V-app. It is equipped with the thinking engine of Kazuro Morita, the creator of the popular "Morita Shogi" from computer and home gaming. Players can choose between "beginner" and "advanced" difficulty levels, as well as select who goes first. In addition to computer battles, it also allows for two-player mode using a single mobile phone by taking turns.
Read more