Carmageddon 64 | |
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European boxart | |
Developer(s) | Software Creations |
Publisher(s) | Sales Curve Interactive (Europe) Titus Interactive (North America) |
Distributor(s) | Virgin Interactive (Europe) |
Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
Release date | July 25, 2000 |
Genre(s) | Vehicular combat |
Mode(s) | Single player, Split Screen Multiplayer |
Players | 1 - 2 players |
Rating(s) | ESRB: M PEGI: 18 USK: 18 SELL: 18 |
Input methods | Gamepad |
American boxart |
Carmageddon 64 was a port of Carmageddon II, released for the Nintendo 64 video game console in 2000. It was developed by Software Creations, and due to be published by Interplay, but it was published instead by Titus Interactive after they bought Interplay. The game remained published by Sales Curve Interactive in Europe.
The game featured opponents and levels from Carmageddon II, as well as one exclusive location (used as a tutorial) and one exclusive opponent.
Plot
The story was an expansion of the one touted in the zombie versions of Carmageddon. Here's the introduction text from the start of a new game:
- "The catastrophic effects of 'Red Friday', June 6th 2026, caused by unnaturally high solar activity, resulted in the fatal toxification of the Earth's atmosphere and zombification of anyone exposed for too long.
The wise took refuge within the hastily constructed Climate Emulation Centers, from here they watched as the reamining population was ravaged by the toxic fumes.
Although reasonably safe, for some life inside the domes was like a jail sentence.
What started off as an isolated event in Old Detroit, where three individuals raced around a deserted indy-car circuit, grew to become a regular event staged in many great venues. Without prejudice, Carmageddon racers would collide with zombies who wandered onto the race route, resulting in the pulpification of the unfortunate undead.
Inadvertently, they had stumbled on a fun solution to the zombie problem. The authorities were not slow to catch on...
This event was to be known as The Carmageddon!
The reward for these drivers? A new life in the sun drenched beaches on one of the off-world colonies. A life that only the ultra-rich could even dream about.
For the drivers, the nature of the racing changed. As no one was marshalling these races, the events rapidly developed a new violent dimension.
In this new climate of danger, the philosophy of all involved became as one:
"Drive to Survive.""
In the German version, instead of people exposed to toxic fumes turning into zombies, any creature exposed for too long mutated into Dinosaur-like nightmares.
Ending
A short sequence plays of the player driving around Beaver Airport, being chased by a cop car and frying zombies with the Pedestrian Electro-bastard Ray. The player then drives under a large blimp / space craft hovering over the runway. This screen of text follows.
- "Well what can I say! Life here on Alpha Gutala is more than any human being could expect. All the luxuries that only leaders of whole planets could expect. But you know what? It's damn boring! So damn boring! Oh how I miss the thud and splat of mowing down zombies, the metal scrapping crashes of colliding with other cars. I can still smell that oily odor that only a burnt out car can produce. Ahh those were the days! You never know one day I may well take a trip back to old earth just for a bit of fun. The End!"
Gameplay
Single Player
The same basic principles from Carmageddon II apply here. Players advance through the 10 groups by completing levels. Levels can be won by running through all the laps and checkpoints, wasting all the opponents, or killing all the zombies on a map. After completing three levels in a group, a fourth 'mission' level is unlocked; completing this mission unlocks the next group. Players are not limited to the current group, as they can play any previously unlocked levels.
There is only one level of difficulty, whereas the PC version had three.
Players earn Credits during races, which can be used to make instant repairs or recover the car. Armour, Power and Offense pickups are hidden in each race level.
If players waste an opponent during a level, after the level they are are taken to the Wrecks Gallery screen, where they can sell any wasted cars for scrap and earn Credits, or pay to repair them to add to their own garage. Players can own up to six cars at a time: They can sell any cars they own (except Max Damage) to free up slots.
The player can switch which car they drive between races.
There is one important and unique aspect in this game: Running into zombies damages the player's car. Approximately 2.5% damage per strike. If the player runs through large crowds of undead, they'll soon need to repair the vehicle.
Quick Start
This options puts the player straight into a random race.
Head To Head
- Main article: Multiplayer#Carmageddon_64
The game has a two-player split-screen multiplayer mode, with three different game types.
Practice
A simple tutorial level (set in the Village), instructions and hints are given to the player in this area.
Characters
- Main article: Category:Drivers in Carmageddon 64
Carmageddon 64 features 23 characters, each with their own individual vehicle. One character, Mr. Whip, was exclusive to this game.
Controls
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Reception
The world in general gave Carmageddon 64 the kicking of its life when it was released. People were advised to stamp on any carts they could find. Terrible controls, bad visuals, awful sound, it had the works. IGN gave the game 1.3/10[1], calling it "ridiculously poor software farted out as a quick, sloppy port" and "worse than Superman 64". GameSpot gave it 2.1/10 [2], stating that Carmageddon 64 "has absolutely nothing going for it".
The game is rated 28.50% on aggregate site GameRankings [3]. It is not listed on MetaCritic.
Gallery
Carmageddon 64
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Max using Cloaking Device
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Max wasting an opponent
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Exclusive opponent Mr. Whip with Max
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Going off-road in Beaver City
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Beaver Woods
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Beaver Woods
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Max and Don Dumpster in Mission 3
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Dusty Trails Quayside Complex
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Ending sequence
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Ending sequence
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Ending sequence, showing the spacecraft
External links
- The game listed at Titus Interactive website
- Titus Interactive website page about the game (archive)
- The game listed at Stainless Games website for Carmageddon
- SCi Games website page about the game (archive)
- "Behind the Scenes of Carmageddon 64", an IGN interview with the game producer Ben Gunstone
- Instruction Manual direct download (ENG/FRA/SPA/ITA - 5.83 MB)
- Review scores at Gamerankings
- The ending on YouTube
References
Carmageddon games (cat) | |
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Main titles | Carmageddon · Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now · Carmageddon: TDR 2000 · Carmageddon: Reincarnation |
Expansion Packs | Carmageddon Splat Pack · The Nosebleed Pack |
Console & Handheld titles | Carmageddon (Game Boy Color) · Carmageddon (PlayStation) · Carmageddon 64 · Carmageddon (Mobile) · Carmageddon (Funsize) · Carmageddon: Crashers |
Cancelled titles | Carmageddon: TDR 2000 (Game Boy Color) · Carmageddon (Gizmondo) · Carmageddon TV · Carmageddon 4 Ever · Carmageddon: Crude Awakening |