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Top Gear Overdrive is a racing game released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 and the sequel to Top Gear Rally. The game has support for high-resolution graphics if used with the Expansion Pak and features music from the band Grindstone.
| Top Gear Overdrive | |
|---|---|
 North American Nintendo 64 cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Snowblind Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Kemco |
| Composer(s) | Grindstone |
| Series | Top Gear |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
edit
In the main mode of play, the player races through six seasons, each season containing more races from more tracks, with faster cars competing.
At the beginning of the race the player starts at the back of the grid at the start line. Computer players at the front of the grid often start one-third of the way around the first lap. Players start with three charges of nitrous oxide, which are used to give the player a temporary speed boost.
While racing, the player can pick up two power-ups: nitrous oxide and cash. The nitrous oxide can be used straight away, while the cash is added to the winnings at the end of the race and used for buying upgrades to the player's car.
Shortcuts are available on each track, and often the use of these decide the outcome of the races, particularly in later seasons.
At the end of each race the player is presented with a screen to allow for various upgrades to their car, such as to acceleration and handling. The player is also able to change their car for a better (or worse) vehicle and can buy extra nitrous oxide to use in the next race.
At the end of the season, if the player places fourth or better in all of that season's tracks, they are allowed to progress to the next season.
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack in this game was entirely scored by the band Grindstone from Portland, Oregon.[3] They were made the first band in history to feature on an N64 game [4] [5]
Lamar Stilwell, the bands lead singer at the time, said he came across an advert in The Rocket Magazine which was "looking for a band that sounds like Alice In Chains and Soundgarden". Knowing Grindstone would fit that sound he wrote back describing his love for video games, the band got the gig and were offered $4000 for their soundtrack to be used.[6]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 76%[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |    [8] |
| Edge | 6/10[9] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7.5/10[10] |
| Game Informer | 7.25/10[11] |
| GamePro | [12] |
| GameSpot | 7.3/10[13] |
| Hyper | 85%[14] |
| IGN | 8/10[15] |
| N64 Magazine | 79%[16] |
| Nintendo Power | 7.6/10[17] |
The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Arcade de conducción de gran velocidad y gráficos notables". 16 March 2017.
- ^ "Five to Five". IGN. 1998-12-04. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
- ^ "Grindstone lineup, biography". Last.fm.
- ^ "Artist Bio: Grindstone". 15 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-02-15. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ "ALL ACCESS LIVE with POINT DEFIANCE'S LAMAR STILWELL". YouTube.
- ^ "ALL ACCESS LIVE with POINT DEFIANCE'S LAMAR STILWELL". YouTube.
- ^ a b "Top Gear Overdrive for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Top Gear Overdrive - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ Edge staff (January 1999). "Top Gear Overdrive". Edge. No. 67.
- ^ "Top Gear Overdrive". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 1999.
- ^ McNamara, Andy; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew (January 1999). "Top Gear Overdrive". Game Informer. No. 69. p. 36. Archived from the original on May 27, 2000. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ Vicious Sid (1999). "Top Gear Overdrive Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 17, 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ GameSpot staff (January 4, 1999). "Top Gear OverDrive Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ Shea, Cam (February 1999). "Top Gear Overdrive". Hyper. No. 64. p. 48. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Schneider, Peer (December 1, 1998). "Top Gear Overdrive". IGN. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ Weaver, Tim (January 1999). "Top Gear Overdrive". N64 Magazine. No. 24. Future Publishing. pp. 49–52.
- ^ "Top Gear Overdrive". Nintendo Power. Vol. 115. December 1998. p. 125.
