Excitebike 64

About Excitebike 64

Excitebike 64 (2000) is Left Field Productions' 3D motocross sequel to the NES Excitebike, with tricks, extreme jumps, a track editor and the original game hidden inside.

Excitebike 64 in Depth

Players choose one of six riders with preset handling and use the stick or D-pad to accelerate, brake, slide and boost. As in the original, pulling back gives more air on jumps and pushing forward drops the front wheel to land on slopes; riders can also tilt the bike in mid-air to set the angle for turns and sideswipe opponents. Many tracks hide shortcuts that require slowing down and changing direction, or boosting across chasms, between hills and over vehicles and buildings, following the original's "extreme" jumps and physics.

The main mode is a 20-track season, with races unlocking more tracks and features, plus a tutorial, exhibitions and time trials. A major feature is the track editor, which lets players build and save fully working tracks. The announcer, Limua, calls out tricks and crashes. Extras include an emulated version of the original Excitebike, a 3D remake called Excite 3D with the same obstacles, a Stunt Course, a Hill Climb, a football game with a giant human-sized ball and an "infinite, randomly generated" desert track. Real dirt bike gear brands such as Bell Helmets, Alpinestars and No Fear feature throughout.

Making Excitebike 64

Left Field Productions developed it and Nintendo published it for the Nintendo 64 in 2000, focusing on speed, jumps and tricks like the original. It received "generally favorable reviews" on Metacritic, two points short of "universal acclaim", and was re-released on Wii U in 2016 and Nintendo Classics in 2023; Excite Truck followed on Wii in 2006.