Wipeout XL

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: SCEE
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 1996
  • Also On: PC
Wipeout XL Image
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

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  • Summary: The original scorched the game world and became an instant classic. Fast-forward now to a brutal new generation of anti gravity racing. Loaded with faster, smoother graphics, more tracks, more crafts, and a range of nasty new weaponry. Wipeout XL will give you the rush of your life.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Game Revolution
    100
    An improvement in nearly every way over the original, which was arguably the best racing game previously made for the PlayStation... This game is beautiful, even hypnotic to watch, and fun to play.
  2. Games Domain
    100
    The graphics fly by at an astounding rate, and are so impressive that they would not look out of place in an arcade... One of the most polished packages to grace the Playstaion.
  3. Hot Games
    100
    WO XL also has possibly the best soundtrack of any game, including contributions from Chemical Brothers, Underworld and Prodigy... A landmark racer and one of the all time classics on this console.
  4. Absolute Playstation
    93
    The best arcade racer of its type on any format. While it takes some time to master the controls, it is time very well spent as it reveals this game to be a true classic.
  5. IGN
    90
    The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, with some of the best light sourcing and effects ever. The control is smooth, the gameplay is fast, and the music is just awesome.
  6. GameSpot
    85
    The earthquake weapon is unspeakably awesome... The weapons are visually spectacular, and seeing the light trails behind the hovercars is just plain cool.
  7. All Game Guide
    80
    Features even more unique and detailed texture maps as well as dashingly gorgeous course design with tons of trackside stuff to distract you as you blaze around the tracks.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. RayS.
    Jan 18, 2010
    10
    Quite simply, the best racing game ever made, IMHO. This game is in my top 3 favorite games of all time list, and I've yet to see Quite simply, the best racing game ever made, IMHO. This game is in my top 3 favorite games of all time list, and I've yet to see anything top it. Easily the best of the Wipeout series as well, of course. The difficulty ramps up quickly, and unlocking everything is a true "pat yourself on the back" accomplishment. The soundtrack is also my favorite licensed soundtrack of all time. If you like electronic music in the least, the soundtrack is a who's who of 90's electronic artists. Featuring Underworld, Prodigy, Future Sound of London, Chemical Brothers, Fluke, and Photek among others. An amazing collection of tracks from quite a few of the very best electronic acts of the 90s. This is also the FASTEST racing game that I can ever recall playing. The sense of speed is jaw dropping on the highest difficulty. It's so fast, that combining the speed with the checkerboard like patterns on some of the tracks, here's a warning: this WILL make you motion sick if you get motion sick easily. Otherwise, I cannot think of one thing wrong with this game. The supreme racing game for the PS1, and my favorite racer of all time. Oh and having a NegCon and learning how to use it right is an added bonus!… Expand
  2. JJW199
    Aug 26, 2020
    10
    Wipeout XL (Wipeout 2097) is outstanding including build-in soundtracks and really enjoy it
  4. StringerB.
    Dec 9, 2002
    10
    I would not hesitate to call this the best racing game on the Playstation. PERIOD. Amazing graphics, killer sountrack, profound sense of I would not hesitate to call this the best racing game on the Playstation. PERIOD. Amazing graphics, killer sountrack, profound sense of speed, and just a hell of a lot of fun. I agree with the critics above who say that the unforgiving degree of difficulty in the first game has been leveled, and more user friendly. But I guarantee you: once you unlock ever track (on Rapier, of course) and score a gold medal on every track, you'll feel an amazing sense of accomplishment. It ain't easy. This game is also vastly superior to WipeEout 3, and Fusion. Get your hands on this one quickly!!… Expand
  5. CrunchyS.
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    The best, purest Wipeout of the series. There is nothing more satisfying than blasting towards a corner at full speed, only to negotiate it The best, purest Wipeout of the series. There is nothing more satisfying than blasting towards a corner at full speed, only to negotiate it with pinpoint skill with masterful use of the airbrakes. Looks good for a PS1 game but, in my opinion, Wipeout 3 looks marginally better. In a different way, of course. This Wipeout is purer than Wipeout Pure. Wipeout Fusion is NOT better than this. [Anonymous] knows nothing!… Expand
  6. storygamer
    Mar 24, 2021
    9
    Wipeout XL has everything a futuristic racing game needs. Beautiful and hypnotic levels, cool arcadish gameplay, easy controls and a fantasticWipeout XL has everything a futuristic racing game needs. Beautiful and hypnotic levels, cool arcadish gameplay, easy controls and a fantastic soundtrack. There is so much great content hidden in this jewel, that you can spend hundreds of hours speeding the wonderful tracks. An absolute classic!… Expand
  7. GudKos
    Jan 3, 2017
    6
    The game is good. It's cooler than F-Zero X in technical specs. But what a ****? If you have 2 playstation gamepads, you can't play with yourThe game is good. It's cooler than F-Zero X in technical specs. But what a ****? If you have 2 playstation gamepads, you can't play with your friend offline and you need PlayStation Link Cable and original FAT console!… Expand
  8. Broyax
    Jan 18, 2019
    1
    Le jeu fondateur de la série d'aéroglisseurs qui font boum !... ou plutôt bonk ! contre les murets de la piste à chaque virage : bonk ! bonkLe jeu fondateur de la série d'aéroglisseurs qui font boum !... ou plutôt bonk ! contre les murets de la piste à chaque virage : bonk ! bonk !... Attends, une ligne droite... gaaazzz... bonk ! un virage ! bonk ! un autre... Mais des fois ça fait boum ! parce que t'as reçu un missile dans le cul !

    Cela dit, on ressent mieux les effets sonores en les écrivant parce que dans le jeu lui-même, on ne les entend que fort peu, étouffés par défaut ou noyés derrière la très belle musique électro-techno un peu trance sur les bords (non, j'ai pas dit trans... c'était pas encore à la mode même dans les jeux à cette époque). Faut dire qu'on ne peut pas régler séparément la musique et les effets sonores de toute façon...

    Une simulation de course de collisions donc, car si on ne se cogne pas dans les murets, on se cogne dans les concurrents, pas du genre à céder le passage. La vitesse (quand on ne se cogne pas, aïe...) est rapidement grisante en "venom" mais en "rapier", là c'est du délire, c'est-à-dire environ 1 à 2 secondes de vitesse (cumulées) par tour. Les collisions involontaires en plein délire.

    Seulement 6 circuits mais en vérité la durée de vie est excellente... car de là à remporter une course, il faudra y passer des plombes et des plombes... Mais à en ce temps-là, on était bien content de "farmer" ce genre de connerie de jeu à la con... enfin, pour les plus enragés quand même. Pour les autres, après avoir fait "wahou" quelque tours, on retournait sur Destruction Derby, quitte à se cogner partout, autant que ça soit un peu plus amusant...!

    Les graphismes étaient très convenables, mis à part le clipping de folie presque au niveau de Daytona USA sur Saturn. On ne mentionnera pas le VGA ni le SVGA de la version PC, laquelle ne marchait que sur 0,1% des configs du marché, tout simplement parce que ça ne marchait pas. Les portages PC pourris, ça ne date pas d'hier !

    On mentionnera en fait et on insistera sur la maniabilité atroce de ces bordels à cul d'hydroglisseurs ou plutôt terroglisseurs, terrifiants à conduire. Et injouables. Sauf pour les plus enragés et on l'a sans doute tous été à un moment ou un autre en cet âge de pierre du jeu vidéo, l'âge du Wipeout. Mais parce qu'on avait vraiment rien d'autre à grailler !    … Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS1 Game of 1996
4
#4 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1996
5
#5 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1996