While speeding along, simply press the B button (air brakes) and then hit the Z-trigger and boats will suddenly jump into the air and can pick up suspended nitro balloons for more speed. To rocket boats into the air, gamers must first have at least a small reserve of nitro ready. Introducing a helpful strategy element to what is otherwise a straightforward arcade racer, some nitro balloons are suspended above water and are only attainable by rocketing boats into the air. Nitro boosts not only serve to increase the speed of boats, but when a boost is in effect, players have an invincibility about them and can knock opponents off the track or send them crashing. These boosts are really the key to winning races. Located throughout each track are dozens of nitro balloons, which fill up boats with a temporary burst of extra power if players successfully manage to run them over. Using a Nintendo 64 controller, the A button accelerates, the analog stick manipulates the boats around and the Z-Trigger acts as a nitro boost. All of the tracks are featured, all of the boats are packed in, the physics are right on and the control is equally as responsive. The good news is that Nintendo 64 port of Hydro Thunder realizes almost every aspect of the arcade original. In typical Midway arcade fashion, the game is designed to be easy and addictive from the start, enabling just about anybody to easily jump right into the action. Gameplay For those of you who have never played it, Hydro Thunder is a quasi-futuristic boat racing game that takes place across a variety of international tracks, boasts Wave Race-esque water physics and features spectacular visuals.
Real Newtonian Physics model emulates the unique feel of racing boats on a variety of water conditions.
The game is chock full of levels, boats, short-cuts, physics, and beautifully crafted eye-candy. The port is being handled by UK based Eurocom, which also brought the Dreamcast game over and has traditionally delivered excellent ports into the hands of Nintendo 64 owners. Like so many Midway arcade successes, Hydro Thunder has made its way to the home market with an initial release for Sega's Dreamcast and now Nintendo 64. If you haven't heard of Midway's Hydro Thunder by now, you've probably also never stepped foot in an arcade as the hyper-quick boat racer has been sucking up the quarters of gamers across the country for more than a year.