One of the few sports games that I really enjoy.
The championship mode is one you are likely to go back to time and time again. As you progress through the difficulty settings you are able to unlock a few hidden stages. However, just be ready to go through extreme frustration with expert mode as it is brutal. Aside form the championship mode there is also a multiplayer mode. Unfortunately only two players can play, which is weird seeing as there are two other controller ports and four characters. Stunt mode, as the title suggests, has you doing stunts to gain points. You of course have the classic time attack mode. The controls for the game work great. The control scheme isn't complicated and the characters are responsive. The camera is actually really good as well.
The biggest stand out in the game most definitely has to be the graphics. The game was released less than a couple of months after the launch of the system. Even for being an early title it still has some of the very best graphics for the system, and it doesn't even require an expansion pack. The environments are very colorful and unique, the characters look great and have fantastic animation, and of course there is probably the very best water physics on the N64, which moves so fluently and realistically. The game even has the option to change the conditions of the waves to how soft or how strong you like. Equally as fantastic is the great upbeat music that really represent the tone and feel of the game. Sound effects are also impressive, with the crashing of the waves and the running motor of your jet ski.
To sum things up:
PROS:
-Amazing graphics
-Great music
-Spot-on controls
-Good camera
-Great framerate
-Unique courses
-Provides challenge
CONS:
-Expert Mode
-Only 2-player multiplayer
This is another one of those games where you could pretty much recommend to just about anybody. In short, N64 owners and fanatics should definitely have this game. At the very least consider this a rental for the weekend, because it is definitely worth it.