Excitebike 64

The roar of engines, flying mud and jumps that make your stomach clench. Excitebike 64 revived a legendary NES-era brand in 2000 and brought it into a fully three-dimensional world of motocross without losing any of its raw fun. A flat eight-bit classic became a surprisingly deep racing simulator with an arcade soul.

Development was handled by the studio Left Field Productions in cooperation with Nintendo, and the result was one of the highest-rated motocross titles of its era. The bike physics were excellent for their time; the rider leaned, balanced in the air and a bad landing meant a crash. Mastering the right landing after a big jump became the core of the whole experience.

The game offered a rich package of content: racing seasons, training challenges, custom track building and above all a variety of modes. Famous was the unlockable stunt mode and a splendid extra gimmick in which you could play the original eight-bit Excitebike, a tribute to the series' legacy. On top of that, split-screen multiplayer worked wonderfully.

Culturally, Excitebike 64 proved that a retro brand can grow young again without betraying its original character. Reviewers praised the realistic physics, the scope of content and the clean gameplay, and the game earned a reputation as one of the best races on the console, even if it never reached the fame of Mario Kart.

Today it is a little gem for anyone who enjoys racing that demands something of you. Learning to tame the jumps and keep your speed across the whole track is a challenge that remains fun even after years.

Why play: For the excellent jump physics and the satisfying feeling when you finally complete a whole lap without a single fall.