Playing Wipeout Fusion is like catching up with an old friend. Its feel and mechanics remain faithful to its roots, while the familiar, exciting gameplay and slickly renovated graphics and sounds supply the thrills. As a pilot in a league of hovercraft racers, you’ll careen toward the finish in the Gran Turismo–ized AG League mode or the polished two-player split-screen play. Wipeout Fusion provides 45 courses that take place on seven tracks, and while that might sound like a lame cover-up for a skimpy lineup, there’s actually a lot of fresh territory and good, challenging depth to this game. A ripping sense of speed ensures that the proceedings are amply stocked with adrenaline, and outstanding track design delivers a succession of outrageous corkscrews, jumps, and other eye-popping moments. Innovative weapons and other power-ups (26 total) continue to be an integral part of the action, injecting just the right measure of mayhem, and although the A.I. won’t astound you with its brilliance, the pack races smartly and carries a big stick. It’s puzzling that Sony’s U.S. division dragged its heels about releasing this game in the States—it’s been out for a while in Europe, where it was made by Sony, but a U.S. release was in question until BAM! Entertainment thankfully seized the opportunity. Back-room politics aside, if you’re even remotely interested in racing games, you should grab a copy of Wipeout Fusion—it’s exactly the kind of high-octane fuel that feeds that need for speed.
