California Speed is a flawed arcade racer that still manages to be quite a bit of fun
User Rating: 6.5 | California Speed N64
Although Sega's consoles may always be most fondly remembered for their arcade-style driving games, the Nintendo 64 also saw quite a few fun arcade racers throughout its lifespan. Midway's California Speed from 1999, which was an arcade release later ported to the N64, is a great example of this kind of game - it's fun, playable, and features that wacky, over-the-top style that seems to be rarely featured on console racers these days. It's this lighthearted and fun atmosphere that ultimately makes California Speed a worthwhile purchase. The driving mechanics are pretty slippery and imprecise, the collision detection is sketchy, and the graphics are muddy even for an N64 game, but if you're just looking for a fun and challenging arcade racer, California Speed is highly recommendable.
Playing through each of the racing circuits is quite a bit of fun, and though it can get a tad frustrating at times, the unlockable tracks make completing the game a worthwhile effort; still, California Speed shines the brightest in its multiplayer components. This is the sort of game that's best played with a bunch of friends and a lot of pizza, and since finding this cartridge will only set you back a couple of dollars these days, California Speed is worth checking out for all racing fans.
