Beetle Adventure Racing - Nintendo 64 Review - HD

[@brokensaint]

Assistant Producer -- it was my first gig at EA, and they let me run wild :) Audio design, cheats, multiplayer, and more. Great fun.

[@CalvinJGreen]

Thanks for your good work man. Your game brought my dad and I closer together 👍

[@FabioGnecco]

nice ! i always enjoy playing this game !

[@yungtodoroki1422]

Brooke Burgess my God I remember this when I was 5!! Thank you!

[@gamersinacontainer]

Thank you for all your hard work. I lost the game as a kid and finally got a replacement. It's even better than I remember!

[@cinnamondan4984]

You are a god

[@brokensaint]

Was honoured to work on this! :)

[@TheDaiTenguofFuji]

I know you're probably not checking replies on 7 year old comments, but thank you for your work on this game! I consider it the best racer ever made!

[@brokensaint]

Proud to have worked on it! I've forwarded this thread to the creator, and I'm sure it'll make his day, too!

[@craigjuan5744]

You and your team did a stellar job with Beetle Adventure Racing and created a N64 racing masterpiece. I just wish you guys came out with a sequel.

[@fathersunglasses6085]

@@brokensaint Hey, somehow I missed this game as a kid. I remember getting Lamborghini... Which was still fun however this is clearly the far superior game. Anyhow I picked it up today and love it! The HUD/rpm meter specifically reminds me of NFS High Stakes/Road Challenge from the PS1 plus the sound when you crash.

[@LobsterPuncher]

I honestly love this game so much. I remember one summer when my brother and I played it every day. We thought it was so cool and it's a great memory for the both of us.

[@Chelcekens]

I owned this game since I was 7 years old and I was addicted to the point my first car was a black VW Beetle!

[@MatthewVanceMusic]

Awesome!!

[@irongirl704]

Just a couple years older than you, but I was obsessed too, my first car was also a black VW Beetle! I miss that little car.

[@Chelcekens]

Melissa J they were so tiny though! Couldn’t fit all my friends!

[@RetroRupp]

While most people say their favorite N64 racing game is Mario Kart 64, I say mine is Beetle Adventure Racing! :D

[@n64glennplant]

+RetroRupp such a great game :-)

[@RetroRupp]

***** Hey Glenn, Do you think you'll review World Driver Championship at some point? I remember that game being about the closest thing to a racing sim that you could get on the N64. :)

[@n64glennplant]

+RetroRupp it's on my todo list :-)

[@RetroRupp]

***** Awesome! Can't wait! :-D

[@tomhammond3495]

World Driver Championship was my favourite racing game at the time!

[@LrdArtos]

I loved the game as a kid. One of my favs on n64. I was so excited when I unlocked the alien car and track. The graphics just blew my mind at the time. I remember renting it from Blockbuster and never returning it. My mom was pissed lol

[@BossLevelPro]

Yes! I would plead with my mom, "just one more week!" Ha ha

[@Greg-Storm]

Man I'd love a remake of this game. Being Aussie i had the HSV version. We had a VT commodore at the time so getting to actually drive one let alone a V8 super car version was epic. This, Rush and DKR are my favorite racing games ever.

[@par4caleb]

My buddies always laugh at me when I introduce them to this game, but to see their faces when they realize how awesome it is.. priceless. Gotta love Adventure Racing!

[@MrSpruceDread]

One of the best games I've ever owned. It was a surprise gift from my dad (he always found the best games like Rogue Squadron, Load Runner 3D or some even like Pokemon Stadium..he didn't even know, he bought them and til this day I love him for it), and it was incredibly fun. I sucked at it as a kid as I was never able to beat Advanced circuit...and now here I am, with the ROM emulator almost beating Professional. This game easily competed with Wave Race 64 as my top favorites when it comes to racing.

[@n64glennplant]

Glad you enjoyed this too - certainly one of my all time fav games

[@kunstkritik]

One of my favorite games on the N64. The only complaint I had as a child was that the first 3 cars are a pain to control but once you unlocked the next 3 cars there was nothing to stop you. I rather have a few but very interesting courses than a lot of forgetable ones

[@daniellaughton6894]

This is why I like your 64 reviews, games I have never heard of or would simply pass over you let me know how good they actually are. I typically gloss over racing games that don't have plumbers and animals on the cover, this looks fun. Thanks!

[@DaChoach]

I had a random core memory unlocked and came to KZbin in hopes that someone had a video posted in regards to this game. Thanks for this upload (I know I'm a decade too late). This is awesome.

[@n64glennplant]

Haha whoa it’s been 10 years man this makes me feel old

[@DeadOmega]

Because every track is so varied, the lack of overall track selection doesn't hurt that bad. Discovering every secret and mastering each stage is a more than worthy challenge in of itself.

[@WeirdBrick]

Just bought it today on this review! Visuals are really impressive, controls took a few mins to adjust to(sim racer here..) but I soon got into it! The Jurassic area and lava tunnels look great, other than the resolution which can be cured by sitting further away(lol) the game could quite easily be mistaken for a ps2 title. Back then on a 13” tv this would look unreal! In fact I may get one for retro gaming. So happy I lived through the 90s as a kid gaming. Going through the 2d era from Mario world 3 to the likes of Mario 64 and ocarina of time was a magical time! Love your vids!

[@xDCMTx]

NOSTALGIA HIT HARD AND REMINDED ME HOW ENDGAME IT FELT TO HAVE THE POLICE CAR

[@n64glennplant]

And turning on the siren so al the opponents would slow down 😂

[@glom_gazingo]

Classic, slept-on game, great video!!

[@MrHubcap45]

This is one of the formative games of my childhood. It was incredible and me and my sister used to fight over which color was the best car! Thanks for the video that let me reminisce.

[@toamastar]

i absolutely loved this game as a kid! thanks for letting me relive my childhood for a bit!

[@weene875]

I will never get over this classic.

[@71dembonesTV]

Awesome, awesome game! Mario 64, Beetle adventure racing, Zelda OOT, 1080, and DK 64 are the games of my childhood. So many hours on this game; when I finally unlocked the fabled "police bug"; the power was intoxicating... so I became a law enforcement officer (LOL)

[@71dembonesTV]

Finally 100%'d this game! I've had and accidentally deleted many a save file since I got it. The closest I had gotten before (years ago) was everything unlocked except Woods battle arena and the environment cheat. It was a thrill to play thru the courses with the environment in "Funky" (aka seizure-inducing) mode :)

[@Supernova368]

The fact it didn't have Beetles in it in Australia has blown my mind!

[@gamersinacontainer]

I LOVE how many secrets there are. My cousin and I combed the first 3 tracks for hours, and I'm sure we haven't found everything.

[@LobsterPuncher]

Man I love this game. I used to play it constantly with my brother. Such an awesome game.

[@kaylarose9766]

Geez this is one of the first games I ever played. Bringin back some memories, man.

[@icemagellama865]

I loved these kind of racing games back in the day. The sense of adventure they provoked really left an impression. I still think fondly back on this one.

[@n64glennplant]

Yeah so many things to discover!

[@TheGunmanChannel]

Metal Jesus speaks highly of this one too

[@fishsickle]

Hands down, this is one of the best racing games I've ever played, all the shortcut, all the secrets, all the surprises is what made this game. The first time I played it and realizing that I could go through certain locations is what made this game one of the best to me. Damnit, I'm going to have to pull all my stuff from storage and play it once again.

[@trence5]

I loved this game. The amount of hidden "short cuts" you could find.

[@BrokenG-String]

Haha yeah many of them were detours instead of shortcuts but they were all so fun and creatively designed. It got me thinking what they were trying to go for. This is literally an adventure/collectathon combined with a racer. Genius if u ask me.

[@BlackMarketHoney]

Wow! I remember this! I have never been into serious sim racers, so this was right up my alley. Really good fun. Great game. All the best, Rich in Sweden.

[@RizenLink]

I loved this game. Considering when it was made, it still is my favorite racing game.

[@mikepellegrino133]

I remember I loved this game. Haven't played it in years though. I loved the extensive race tracks and finding all of the short cuts and secrets. I wish they made more racing games like this.

[@Robin991100]

This is one of THE games, i have best in my memories... the roads with the hidden paths... i loved it!

[@mikebeck9918]

This game was awesome! Lots of hours spent playing this when it came out. Fun multiplayer battle mode too

[@MadPanicGaming]

One thing's for sure, N64 has some of the BEST racing games ever made. Awesome review!

[@wilmerparis2202]

This review made me buy this game! AND IT IS AMAZING!

[@WeirdBrick]

Just bought it today! Totally agree!

[@gamernaut8864]

Love this game! They don't make 'em like this anymore. Awesome tracks with lots of alternate routes to explore. This game is full of personality, and if you don't like all the Beetles, I think Australia made a version with their HSV cars which look kinda like Chevy Luminas or something.

[@hardwurk2012]

Man this brings back memories,this was one of my favorite games on n64 along with San Francisco rush 2049. The alien colored neon beetle was tough to earn.

[@fightnight14]

Pressing the reverse button while turning sharp is the best!

[@jessemullen9083]

I rented it for a weekend back in the early 2000s, but was too young to really appreciate it. Would love to play it again

[@Daniel15au]

Hah, I didn't realise there was an Australia-only version of this game. I'm from Australia and did play Beetle Adventure Racing, I had never heard about the HSV version though. I guess we had both versions :)

[@Haffey.z64]

I'm 14 years old, but I don't like modern games. I mainly play my N64 and Wii, though occasionally I do play some pc games with my friends. Today I bought this game to play with my dad. He hasn't really played any games before, other than Wii sports, some tennis game on the Wii and a bit of Super Mario 64 (I have an Everdrive, so we used the splitscreen multiplayer rom hack). We played a couple of rounds of this game earlier, and we had a blast. I'm really happy I bought this game, as it's a lot of fun, even if it was just made as a cash grab. One of my new favourite N64 games, that's for sure.

[@n64glennplant]

Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@Haffey.z64]

@@n64glennplant What a legend! I can't believe you're responding to comments 11 years later.

[@n64glennplant]

@@Haffey.z64 I always try to find time to respond to all, becomes much harder the older I get ha

[@lieutenantyoshi5704]

The Yellow Beetle and Police Beetle were always my favorites. Inferno Island FTW

[@n64glennplant]

Lieutenant Yoshi inferno island rocks, i would love a new racer like this!

[@lieutenantyoshi5704]

They really need to make an updated version or a re-mastered version for current consoles.

[@matiheiler263]

One of my top 5 favorite games for the N64. Have so many fun memories with this game.

[@SmarchitectMann]

I loved how when you pause the game, you get a 360 degree freeze frame

[@n64glennplant]

In mid air 😍

[@boredstudent]

As a kid, I remember the commercial for Beetle Adventure Racing and it made me curious. Then sometime later, I played it and enjoyed it a lot. Funny enough, Volkswagen was never my favorite car make but it was cool to play a racing game with Volkswagen Beetles. Plus this was a way to promote the New Beetle. I wonder how much money Volkswagen made and how many Beetles they sold

[@danielriordan7763]

It looks pretty good, I'm getting it on the weekend!

[@crowmigration8245]

Daniel Riordan How did it go? I'm curious how it holds up without nostalgia.

[@ImInLoveWithBulla]

This was my single favorite game for the entire system.

[@SuaveBeatschannel]

I saw the advertisement several times of this game. Wen I saw the T Rex pop out I was sold and I invested many weekends playing this with friends I loved it.

[@Thecarguy1991]

Ah the memories. I love this game!

[@LeviathanLegend]

I set a world record on Coventry Cove 2 years ago but my record was beaten about two weeks after I set it.

[@patwaters-actormoviereviewer]

Here in Australia there was Beetle Adventure Racing, and an Aussie version called Holden Sports Vehicle Adventure Racing.

[@BRTigershark]

This game along with episode 1 racer was my childhood

[@BeeWaifu]

I recall discovering a weird place in this game by accident when I fell off the road. Some cave with green light and a disturbing music track playing while in it

[@jong4tv]

I remember loving this video game in many ways. It's a shame it never got a sequel or Remake or Re-Release on any console other than the N64.

[@GeneralLee131]

Right with Rush 2049 as one of the finest arcade racers on the console. My dad and i used to love playing this together.

[@VERMISIMILITUDE]

I'm really glad you brought this up actually Glenn. The anti aliasing technique is simply what made the N64 graphics so appealing. It's often commented on as blurry... I really don't see it this way, if anything, I think anti aliasing is sorely missed, even in today's current generation of consoles. The only other console that used this technique to my knowledge was the Dreamcast, would I be correct in assuming? .

[@cyberworld9000]

I've yet to find this in the wild for my collection, Im always on the look out for it though. Nice review.

[@tallyp.7643]

Watched this video, had never heard of this game before... and you convinced me to buy it. I played it a few times, and yeah, the tracks are long. Haven't had a chance to REALLY sit and enjoy it thoroughly, but so far I'm impressed. I like that the tracks are longer than usual because it keeps the suspense going a bit more and if you are not a very good gamer (like me), gives you some time to figure out your mistakes and improve a bit as you go. Then next time, you get a better run.

[@granddaddyHerps]

my buddy owned this game. we spent many child hood days playing this game. it was really fun despite what the game actually was. def one of my favorite 64 titles

[@Doppsman]

totallly just love that crazy spins at the end of races

[@Real1Gaming]

I remember this game, but it wasn't me who played it the most.. My dad was obsessed with this game. I believe he 100%'d it. Ahh, memories.

[@16BitBrothers]

So glad Adam(16bitbrit) sent us your way. Great review of a great game ! Never played this when it came out but was Lucky enough to have a few goes a couple of months back and really enjoyed it. Not too serious in its style but you have to be serious to master it if that's makes sense ? One more sub here pal ! Keep up the great work :-)

[@ChibbyTonx]

I think this is the very first time I see a video review of this game O-O

[@andropovneveyevich9157]

Awesome game. Played this for hours at a time with my brother's as a kid.

[@carlogee]

I absolutely loved this game. I really liked the fact the tracks were so long. I am going to dig this out and start over from the beginning (as although i got far i never completed it) There is so much to do in this game this is a must have N64 purchase in my opinion.

[@kitvar2685]

One of my favorite N64 games by far - although we in 'Straya had the HSV/Holden edition with the Aussie announcer and cars. Still have mine boxed!

[@n64glennplant]

Would love to see a similar reboot for sometime like this

[@RobertJW]

We got both! As a kid, I had Beetle. Still have it, and the manual, actually.

[@lakerskid2013]

I loved this game so much when I had a Nintendo 64, it was so much fun. They should modernize this game and the maps were so diverse

[@Roseneath_On]

oh i remember this game. hitting that jump just right with the brake to get the 360.

[@woofyhound]

I remember playing this game way back when I was eight years old. It's still one of the best racing games I've played to date,with great visuals, fantastic track design, responsive controls, fun multiplayer (especially with four people), and nice soundtrack. It's a lot like Corvette on the PS2; a great game that one can't really judge by looking at it's cover. It's one of the few games that I feel should be remade or rereleased for modern game consoles, maybe with a larger roster of cars (whether it be only Volkswagen Beetles, or a handful of cars from various manufactures), and maybe a few more tracks.

[@n64glennplant]

This is perhaps one game I’d love to see remastered into full HD but alas it’ll never happen 😞

[@GodlikeIridium]

I absolutely loved that game :D Unlocking the police car was the best!

[@rastan19]

This is easily one of my favorite racing titles. I was fortunate enough to find a copy at my local Pawn Shop.

[@n64glennplant]

no matter how much you paid for it it would have still been a steal no doubt! such an awesome game

[@Iceferno]

My favourite N64 game. It took me bloody ages, but a couple of years ago I finally got the floating daisy box in Wicked Woods. I wish they'd make an HD version. I do like how long the tracks are, but I think we should have got at least 8, not 6. Though they made use of most kinds of racing environments, which is always good.

[@n64glennplant]

yeah i just really wish they'd have made a sequel it was so awesome

[@OMGsicles]

it's rumored that nintendo's remaking 7 n64 games for the wii u. however, beetle adventure racing was published by EA, so I don't think they can remake it.

[@Iceferno]

Still no reason it can't end up on another platform. We had Banjo-Kazooie & Tooie on Xbox, after all. A new instalment on PC would be nice.

[@jarrettgriffin5942]

this takes me back to my daycare days.

[@n64glennplant]

Amazing 😉

[@liamc9585]

I picked up a copy at my local retro game store as a joke, and was so confused that this advertisement for VW was actually really freaking fun?? I couldn't put the controller down for hours! I think the only way this game could have been better was if they had other VW models like the Golf and Polo sprinkled in as unlockables.

[@n64glennplant]

It’s funny, even back in the day this game landed out of nowhere there were basically like no previews until a month before it arrived and then all the press were like this game is awesome where did it come from

[@DrumEagle]

the Need For Speed of the N64! Awesome graphics and smooth race-feeling.

[@RedPlanetPictures1]

Yea, this game came out of nowhere and had no right to be as good as it was haha. I remember renting it just thinking whatever, and being completely blown away. My brother and I couldn't stop playing, just a straight up sleeper classic.

[@n64glennplant]

Yeah I’d love to see a hd remaster of this with modern physics etc

[@mrandrossguy3832]

I'm devastated there wasn't another beetle game promoting the 3rd generation Bug 😤😢🚘

[@n64glennplant]

+mR Andross guy now that would have rocked

[@Artifex421]

Oh my god I so I'm not the only one who loved this game! They had this one set up at Toys R Us and didn' want to put the controller down. I think it was the hidden shortcuts that hooked me. Then I received it for Christmas and I was done. To this day I like the VW New Beetles because of this game. Now I'm gonna hook my N64 back up and race.

[@n64glennplant]

Jason Bradley glad i could bring back some awesome memories - thanks or sharing them!

[@ShaoKhanWarriorTenis]

would be awesome to play beettle adventure racing 2, is a good concept of an arcade racing, we can't see a game like that nowadays

[@j1000a]

Any Rush-style game would be a good project for indie developers. Unfortunately to do it well you need a lot of good art.

[@DSolymanH]

So I judged this game on the Beetle and never even gave it a fair chance. In Mexico where I grew up as a very young kid the Volkswagen Bug had been hugely popular and felt like the legacy of the Bug was being betrayed. Silly, but I was a pre teen. This games look absolutely great, though. I wish I had picked it up. Thanks for the review.

[@n64glennplant]

+David Hernández Solyman hope you play it now this game is awesome!!!

[@SaintKingwolf]

one of my alltime favorite N64 game, remember playing this often, sadly never did earn the final car for this game, never could manage it D:

[@askthecheesegaming3165]

You know I’ve had this game for a while but really need to sit down and play and learn it.

[@ThatTexanCollector]

Bruh this and Mario kart 64 was my childhood!!!!

[@icanttrustasoul.]

*just got this game. Man what a blast !!*

[@n64glennplant]

Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@pal-of-pals]

Damn, the car models in this game are quite spectacular.

[@n64glennplant]

I think so too

[@jeremyjohnson8844]

BAR is a masterpiece.

[@JasonX2]

One of my favourite games ever

[@n64glennplant]

Such a classic right

[@zebatov]

Wow. Wish I had given it a shot. I definitely judged it by its cover when I was younger. Although, it does sort of resemble the Rush series. Wonder why they don't make games like this anymore.

[@j1000a]

I've wondered this myself. My best guess is that's it's due to the fact that car games, more than any other type of game, are capable of looking extremely realistic. This tempts people into developing and playing increasingly realistic car games. The other side of the coin is that online multiplayer has exploded, which means that in addition to realistic games, developers are obsessed with combat games and kart-style games. SF Rush-style games just aren't heavy on realism or multiplayer, which leaves them sitting on the sidelines.

[@LorJaya]

i remember i got this game in the summer of 1999 i was only 9, i couldnt complaint about anything this game was addictive and fun.. i couldnt stop playing it. now that i look at it im like wow! it was a beetle racing car game with no other cool cars and it was the best racing i ever played

[@Perplexum]

One of the best N64 games out there and a real surprise. Who would have thought that a game developed as a car advertising would turn out so good? It's sad that it will never see a remake or a sequel.

[@n64glennplant]

yeah and it was a sleeper hit. i remember the gaming magazines having like zero previews of it back in the day and they said it just landed on their review desk and they were blown away by it

[@bogsy56]

Mount Mayhem!

[@droopyaguacat3185]

First time I played this game was on arcade and the damn thing had actual manual trans with clutch and the actual HH gears all 5!! Blew my mind

[@TheonlyJesusduck]

Great game! Really fine steering and cool tracks.

[@PaulGaither]

Bought it used and adored it.

[@AMathMonkey]

I agree with everything you said in your video, and I'm so glad that others see how well this game stands up today! The tracks are definitely very long. The longest track, Inferno Isle, still takes almost 6 minutes to finish even when played optimally with the police beetle. Fortunately, mastering the handling is quite the opposite of a boring endeavour.

[@n64glennplant]

AMathMonkey the police beetle is so rad especially when you turn the siren on!

[@AMathMonkey]

***** Oh yeah, time attack and Bonus Circuit with the police beetle is what keeps me coming back for more. And siren isn't cheating since the rubber banding is so strong anyway.

[@joshcasper9917]

I love this game, when of my fave games I have for the n64. I only had around ten or so games for a while, so I played this game a lot, now I have around 20. still one of my fave games.

[@TheTraveller777]

I started playing this recently, I've only played through the first difficulty. I'll have to play more to see if I get hooked. This game also has a really small active image, I guess that's due to the level of detail they wanted. I'm playing an NTSC version too. Black borders on all sides.

[@MadPanicGaming]

Aye aye Captain! Checking them out... NOW!

[@manuelpunin3666]

this is my personal fav of the n64 hidden gems. it´s a shame nobody reused the concept later

[@TheBujarademi]

Best racing game Ever made !

[@TheDaiTenguofFuji]

Now that the source code for the N64 has been released, let's hope some kind souls decide to give this the port and upscale it so desperately deserves. This game was a work of art, and more people need - nay - DESERVE to play it!

[@n64glennplant]

I’d much rather have some Zelda oot leaked beta versions!