Alright, Nintendo's Dipped its Toes Back in F-Zero, But My Digital Crystal Ball Says We Need Wave Race: Blue Storm for Switch 2 – For the Pure, Cheesy, Wet Magic
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Jeff dives into the recent *F-Zero GX* revival on Switch 2, arguing that it's high time Nintendo gave the equally iconic, uniquely dynamic, and gloriously 'cheesy cool' *Wave Race: Blue Storm* the same long-overdue comeback on its GameCube Classics service.
Right, so you know how sometimes you try to summon a forgotten classic, and it actually works? Kinda like how Nintendo, bless their cotton socks, actually went and brought back *F-Zero GX* for the Switch 2, twenty-two years after its last home console outing. Fair dinkum, I didn't see that coming, especially after they gave us *F-Zero 99* – which was brilliant in its own right, mind you, but not *GX*. Despite some rather… *characterful* controls, *GX* still holds up today, an unassailable titan of futuristic racing.
But here’s a thought, mate: there’s another Nintendo racing series that’s been in the deep freeze for even longer. We’re talking about *Wave Race: Blue Storm*. Launched way back in 2001, it was a GameCube launch window title, the third in a series that started on the Game Boy and hit its stride with the N64’s *Wave Race 64*. Since *Blue Storm*? Absolute radio silence. Not even a whisper of the Wii entries they apparently tinkered with, complete with sideways Wiimotes and even the Balance Board. Bloody hell, Nintendo, water you waiting for? (See what I did there?)
I reckon it’s high time for *Wave Race* to make a glorious splash on Switch 2, and that begins, undoubtedly, with the triumphant return of *Blue Storm*.
Now, I know it's a bit of an ongoing joke amongst us gaming enthusiasts, but I still often find myself judging a game's visual prowess by its water graphics. The shimmering translucency, the intricate physics of rolling waves, the sheer splashy wetness of it all. Thing is, *Wave Race: Blue Storm* absolutely nailed it a full 23 years ago. That, my friends, is what made it so brilliantly unique.
It’s a jet-ski racing game, see? And with it being on water rather than a boring old ground-based track, the course is always, *always* shifting. You don’t simply drive a car ‘round a corner; you’re constantly having to account for the height and power of each wave as you weave in and out of buoys (or 'boo-eys' as the announcer infuriatingly pronounces it, bless his heart). There's a high level of skill required, mate, but with practice, you can skim over cresting waves or dive beneath them to utilise sneaky shortcuts. This sort of dynamic water physics was incredibly impressive back in 2001, even if *Wave Race 64* managed a similarly mind-bending feat on the previous hardware generation.
But then those water physics are taken a step further with each course. Perhaps you're racing on the glass-like, serene surface of a tranquil lake, or battling the choppy chaos of a busy city harbour. On coastal courses, the tide sweeps in and out, revealing hidden routes over multiple laps, making every lap a fresh challenge. And get this: one level even features a collapsing glacier sending turbulent shockwaves in your wake! Talk about environmental storytelling that actually impacts gameplay, eh? There’s a sense of dynamism to *Blue Storm*'s races that’s rarely seen in more traditional racing games, even today.
Then there are the weather effects, ranging from pleasant sunny days that just make you want to grab an ice cream, to a raging tempest that sends violent, towering waves crashing towards your jet-ski. No race in *Wave Race* is ever truly the same, and your skills are constantly being tested as you adapt to the ever-changing water beneath you, subtly squeezing those adaptive triggers (if the Switch 2 has ‘em, which I reckon it will) to angle around obstacles.
I also love how the whole water sports theme permeates every single bit of the game. Sure, you can flip your jet-ski and perform handstands to increase your speed boost (because, why not?). But the loading screens have a little bubble you can manoeuvre to watch ripples cascade across the screen; menus overlay a glistening, aquatic backdrop; and the sound effects are all perfect splishes and splashes and droplets. Everything just looks and *feels* so… wet. It’s enough to make you, well, you know.
Perhaps what I remember most fondly about *Blue Storm* is its surf rock soundtrack. All electric guitars smothered in chorus and flange, perfectly evoking that cheesy cool vibe. What's more, the music actually changes based on the weather, matching its calm undulations and stormy chaos. Along with the bright visuals, eccentric announcer, and goofy characters, it all lends *Blue Storm* a sense of cheesy cool that will forever take me back to the early 2000s and that GameCube launch period. The skies were blue, the waters clear, and the games were all short, manageable, and pure fun. It truly was a better time, mate.
This is why *Wave Race: Blue Storm* absolutely deserves to make a return on Switch 2. Yes, Nintendo will obviously bring back the likes of *Super Mario Sunshine*, *Mario Kart: Double Dash*, and *Super Smash Bros. Melee* – all excellent games, don't get me wrong. But it's the lesser-known, slightly more niche games, like *Wave Race: Blue Storm*, that I'm truly keen to see shine on the console's GameCube service. If we can get *Chibi-Robo* this week (which, fair play, is a delightful little gem), then surely there's space for *Blue Storm*?
Better yet, perhaps the return of *F-Zero GX* and *Wave Race: Blue Storm* will finally convince Nintendo that there are other racing series besides *Mario Kart* that deserve new outings on Switch 2. It's been long enough now, and honestly, the steering wheel and jet-ski handlebars don't need to be reinvented. Just let me play *Wave Race* handheld with crisp HD graphics in the bath for a proper 4D experience. You know you want to try it.
This whole train of thought, mate, was sparked by a cracking piece over at Eurogamer by Ed Nightingale, who's also been pining for Blue Storm's return. Great minds, eh? Let’s hope Nintendo’s listening.
So, what forgotten gems are you all hoping to see make a triumphant return on the Switch 2's GameCube Classics collection? Reckon Nintendo's listening, or are they just humming the Mario theme and ignoring us?
Tags: Nintendo, GameCube, Retro Gaming, Racing Game, Switch 2
Original article: Eurogamer