Tube Slider – GC – Review

One thing that may surprise
gamers is how little Tube Slider has in common with F-Zero.  They’re both
futuristic racers, but the similarities end there.  NDCube didn’t want to
rehash what they (and Nintendo) had already done, nor did they want to attempt
to recapture that experience by making an enhanced version of something we
already have.  Tube Slider takes its own route, has its own style and its own
set of ups and downs – literally.

The game revolves around a
futuristic racing circuit that features tracks made out of gigantic tubes.
These tracks are generally suspended in air (held by what, no one knows), and
have large windows that allow you to see the detailed city below.  Racing in
them is like flying down a waterslide that just goes around in circles, never
leading to a pool.

Players can choose from
eight hovercraft-type vehicles.  Their designs are quite unique: one is shaped
like a mobile suit (like a Gundam), while another is shaped like a football
helmet.  Then there’s one that resembles a dragster, as well as one that looks
like the more modern GI Joe tanks.  Still others reminded me of some classic
Hot Wheels cars.  Needless to say, this is one of the best selections of cars
that I’ve seen in a long time.  There may not be that many of them, but that
can be overlooked very easily since there are not any clones.

Originally, the new
WipeOut game was going to have 360 degree maneuverability.  The player would
be able to flip upside down and continue racing at any time.  For some reason
or other, that idea was scrapped.  Although most futuristic racers have loops,
none that I can think of have true, gravity-defying vehicles…until now.
Tube Slider’s tubular tracks make it easy for the vehicles to grip the track
at any point and continue racing normally.  The camera shifts accordingly,
enhancing the thrills much more than if the car had flipped upside down and
the camera stayed in place.  Driving on all side of the track is not only fun,
but also an important part of the game.  Since the tracks are all tubular,
space is relatively cramped.  It’s not always easy to pass an opponent, or
worse yet, a group of opponents.  However, if you ride up the side of the
track, nothing can stop you from taking the lead (in that particular
situation).  Opponents become more daring in the latter part of the game, and
will attempt to take full advantage of the track’s helpful shape.

Tube Slider game designer

Kazushi Maeta told GameZone Online that no technological sacrifices had to
be made to the game’s speed in order to create the four-player racing mode.
"I think you’ll find that even in four-player mode, the frame rate and
graphics are as fast and as high quality as in one-player mode," he said.  Mr.
Maeta was right.  The graphics are just as crisp and clear as they are in the
single-player mode, and the gameplay is just as fast.

The only problem with the
multiplayer mode is that only two of the game’s tracks are unlocked at the
start of the game.  This means that you have to play through quite a bit of
the single-player grand prix mode in order to enjoy the multiplayer mode to
its fullest.  That’s okay, unless your friends or relatives come over before
you’ve gotten a chance to unlock everything (which happened to me), and you
want to race every track with them.

So why, if this game is
good, did it receive a 7.5, as opposed to an 8 or a 9?  Disappointingly, all
of the tracks follow a linear path.  They have twists and turns, some of which
are very difficult to pass successfully without slowing down (which can give
your opponents the upper hand).  But being stuck in a tube makes it a lot
easier to surpass every opponent and cross the finish line first, regardless
of how intelligent the opponents may be.  There aren’t really any shortcuts,
or any additional choices to make – you drive wherever the tube takes you.
NDCube’s goal was to make this game capture the thrill of bobsledding, which
is why it feels so linear.  Bobsledders can’t veer off the path, and neither
can the racers in Tube Slider.

Still, for a unique
racing experience and some cool, quick thrills, there’s no title GameCube
owners should turn to except Tube Slider.

Reviewer’s Scoring Details

Gameplay: 7.5
This is
definitely not an F-Zero clone!  Everything from the vehicle designs to the
track layout is much different from any other futuristic racer out there.
It’s linear, and therefore pretty easy (for experienced gamers), but still
worth checking out, especially if you want something new to play with your
friends.

Graphics: 7
Tube Slider has
some cool effects, especially when racing over the city.  None of them are
breakthrough effects, but they are still nice to look at.

Sound: 6

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
This is the
racing game that’ll get your little brother prepared for the next F-Zero game
(assuming it’s more challenging than Tube Slider).  It’s not that Tube Slider
is super easy, but most experienced racing fans will be able to complete it
very quickly.

Concept: 7
NDCube’s idea of
creating a game that captures

the feeling of blasting down a bobsled is translated into one
thrilling racing game.

Multiplayer: 7.5
The multiplayer
mode is one of Tube Slider’s best features.  It combines the best part of the
game (its speed) with the challenge of having real gamers to race against.

Overall: 7.5
F-Zero: Maximum
Velocity developers NDCube have proven that they can develop a lot more than
just SNES ports.  Tube Slider is fast, exciting and much different from the
futuristic racing crowd.  Slide on over to your nearest rent- or retailer and
take Tube Slider for a 360 degree spin.