Product ReviewsCalifornia Speed (Nintendo 64, 1999)

Fun game

This game is pretty fun. The gameplay is similar to the Rush games except you don't do laps around a track. Instead, you drive from point A to point B on each track like in Cruisn' USA. The cars go FAST, so you can expect to fall behind quickly if you run up against too many walls. The music and sound effects are a bit dated but not terrible. The visuals are interesting and sometimes trippy depending on the track. You can customize the RGB values of your car, and there's a handful of cars to choose from which is neat. It has 2 player modes but nothing for 4 players unfortunately. In my opinion, this game is in the upper half of the N64 library in terms of quality and gameplay. Overall, it's a cool game for the price.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: bslresale

Not as good as the arcade.

The seller was great! But the game was a big disappointment. Every time I see the arcade game I throw myself at it to race in the shopping mall and hit screaming people with a car, laughing like a maniac out loud. I longed to buy the game and be able to be a monster in private.

When I found that it's on the N64, I took it out of storage avidly... The older graphics wouldn't bother me, it's probably good for the time.

But everything fun about the game is missing. Maybe it,s because they thought that the N64 wasn't as powerful as an arcade machine, but they removed the screaming people, the random bomb droppings... everything that made the ride special.

They even removed the woman making comments like "good job" and "ouh, shopping!!!", so that removed the enthusiasm from the game. Instead you go through an empty dead silent shopping mall... It's creepy in a bad way.

To add insult to injury and more injury... It requires a memory card to save your stats!!! I didn't even know that it existed on the N64 and I played games as complex as Zelda. I understand wanting to take your stats with you at your friend's house, but it should save in the machine as well, or give the option. I would need to buy a card just to save my stats and be able to unlock cars... Which is hard as hell for me. It doesn't seem worth the extra money and spending ages on the game... Especially since I haven't laughed, not even once...

I feel like I should have spent 10$ in the arcade instead...

But I really suck at the game, so practicing at home with a bland stripped game would make me better at the arcade, and maybe get free roads if manage to finish one for once. (I take the longest route in the mall to kill more people.)

So the game isn't as good as the arcade... but not as bad as me, maybe?

It was still fun to play... to play unlimited for free... but it feels like it killed my love for the game... If I was rich I'd buy the arcade.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: gamehousesoluti...

Definite classic for the Nintendo 64 !

The only reason I give it a Good instead of Excellent is due to the added features that was in the arcade version that wasn't in the console version. Features like the cutie girl announcers,music was a little better and people and animals dodging you or fatally trying to get out of your way(Central Valley Shopping Mall),and of course the aliens in later tracks.Other than that the game rocks!

The courses are obviously Cali-based but done with nice detail for that console,the Monterey track is a real good example. The real treat is the choice and speeds of the different vehicles that this game has. A faster vehicle doesn't necessarily mean a win,some of the vehicles are more stable and can maneuver around corners better that can also give you a win. Also finding the short-cuts help a lot too,but be careful,not all short-cuts work in your favor if you have the wrong vehicle for that track!

There are some wacky vehicles that can be unlocked,if you play the series of tracks in categories like Light, Sport and Heavy and do well in them (you don't have to finish first in all of them just first overall!). The golf cart is a trip and can be used right away and has capable speed of 175! The other crazy ones (that are faster and still handle well),forklift,bulldozer,semi,VW rabbit,and even a seriously sick-fast RV-camper!

California Speed is very addicting for a racing game,especially when you unlock new cars and tracks. On a final note,and I don't know why this is but...As long as you USE THIS GAME IN YOUR N64 ONLY! Everything that unlocks for you stays unlocked and you can shut it off and come back and pick up where you left off, even though it uses a memory card,if you take your memory card to some one else's console to like compete-FORGET IT!-as soon as you connect it to their console it kills everything you worked for! So you'll have to show off on your own turf :) larryplusedna ps-- I rebought this game as a replacement-I plum wore the other one out! lots of fun!Read full review...

One of the really good games

This was the #1 favorite game for us and our kids in the 90's. Had to have it again when I got another N64. It's fun, easy to play, and can have more than one player.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jjgames

great

When I was in middle school my N64 was sold without my permission. I found a used console recently for a good price. California Speed was one of my favorite games and I am so happy I was able to find it. It arrived on time and is in good great shape.Read full review...

Classic Game, Creative Levels

I bought this game because I played it years ago and remembered how crazy the levels in the game were. The controls are very touchy but you get use to them and once you do, the game is fairly simple and very fun to play.Read full review...

califronia speed

this game is just generic. stick with the standard mario kart or dkr. it's bland environents and clunky car models make for an average at best experience.

A FUN NINTENDO GAME/ /MY SON LUVS THE PIT STOPS

I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFEENT. FUN TO PLAY BUT YOU LOSE INTEREST PRETTY QUICKLY. THE TRACKS ARE FARLEY THE SAME,AND YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE COLORS LIKE YOU CAN IN CALIFORNIA SPEED

california speed ( nintendo 64 )

it is very entertaining and the the kids enjoy the product and they realy have to consentrate on their had i eye cordination plus the price was right on target.

Racer

Another great racing game from Nintendo. I believe they made the best racing games such as the rush series they are most fun.
celia