Nitrobike was released in 2008 on both the Wii[2] and PlayStation 2.
Nitrobike features gameplay that is somewhat similar to its predecessors Excitebike 64 and Excite Truck. The controls in this game are similar to Excite Truck, with player holding the Wii Remote on its side and twisting the remote to the right or left in order to steer. The physics in the game, while still retaining some aspect of realism, have a very arcade-like feel. According to the CEO of Left Field Productions, James Higgins, the game will be about five times as fast as Excitebike 64, and players will be able to perform more impressive jumps than in the game’s predecessors. Higgins also noted that by performing tricks while in the air, players will be able to boost longer, which in turn will allow them to finish tracks faster.[3]
Nitrobike features online play allowing up to six players to race against each other simultaneously.[1] Players can compete in random worldwide matches or exchange friend codes to play against friends. The game will keep record of the number of races friends have competed in and the number of first-place finishes.[3]
The Wii version of Nitrobike received “generally unfavorable reviews” according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4]
Nintendo Power said it was a “disappointing wreck of a Wii game.”[12]IGN claimed the Wii version had decent gameplay, but its presentation lacked “soul”.[11]GameSpot called it “a slow, clumsy mess.”[9]GameTrailers‘ sole praise for the same console version was for the unlockable “Crash Bowling” minigame, which, while “not particularly fun … will keep [the player] from playing the main game.”[10] In Japan, where the same console version was ported for release on March 27, 2008,[16]Famitsu gave it a score of one four, two fives, and one four for a total of 18 out of 40.
