Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

WipEout 3: Special Edition delivers a blistering high-speed experience that remains true to the series’ core DNA. With ships hurtling down gravity-defying tracks at breakneck speeds, players will need razor-sharp reflexes and an intimate knowledge of each twist and turn. The Special Edition not only includes every track from the base WipEout 3 roster but also three iconic circuits from the original WipEout and five fan-favorite courses from WipEout XL, vastly expanding the variety of courses you can master.

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The handling model in Special Edition strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and depth. Newcomers can choose a more forgiving ship setup, complete with wider turning radii and gentler acceleration curves. Meanwhile, veterans can dial up the difficulty and split-second responsiveness, rewarding precise throttle control. With multiple classes—each boasting distinct top speeds and shield strengths—racing strategies feel fresh and varied across leagues.

Special Edition also introduces incremental improvements to the original WipEout 3 tracks. Notably, tighter collision detection adds a layer of realism, while revamped boost pads offer more consistent power-ups. The revamped menu system, featuring larger fonts, streamlines ship selection and track browsing, ensuring you spend less time squinting at tiny text and more time tearing down the final straight.

Graphics

Graphically, WipEout 3: Special Edition stands as a testament to the PlayStation era’s aesthetic ambition. Tracks weave through neon-lit cityscapes, rocky caverns, and futuristic industrial complexes, all rendered with crisp textures and vibrant lighting effects. The Special Edition’s inclusion of WipEout XL courses often introduces darker, more atmospheric venues, providing a welcome contrast to the brash color palettes of WipEout 3.

Despite its age, frame rates remain rock-solid, even when multiple ships streak across the screen or when massive billboards display shifting advertisements. The developers have fine-tuned the background detail on the original WipEout 3 tracks, ironing out graphical glitches and smoothing out polygon edges. Enlarged HUD elements and menus—especially the name-entry screen, which now supports numbers—ensure that critical information is always clear and legible.

Particle effects for shield bounces, weapon impacts, and atmospheric trails are impressively well-executed, adding a visceral punch to each collision or near-miss. The stark contrast between sunlit tunnels and dimly lit underpasses highlights the technical prowess of the original engine. Overall, WipEout 3: Special Edition feels like the definitive visual package for fans who want to revisit classic tracks with modern polish.

Story

While WipEout 3: Special Edition is primarily a racing simulator, it does provide a lightweight narrative framework to contextualize its high-octane action. Set in the year 2160, the game casts players as elite pilots competing in an international anti-gravity racing league. Each track represents a different corporate-sponsored event, lending a subtle “sports league” atmosphere to every competition.

The inclusion of classic circuits from the original WipEout and WipEout XL brings with it a sense of franchise heritage. Fans of the series will appreciate revisiting tracks with storied reputations, from the lightning-fast Venom Run to the claustrophobic corridors of Zone-X. Though there are no fully fleshed-out cutscenes or branching storylines, occasional voiceovers and event introductions provide enough flavor to keep the stakes feeling high.

For players who like to role-play their in-game persona, the enhanced name-entry screen—with the newly added numerical characters—adds a personal touch. Whether you’re forging a legacy as a fearless rookie or defending your championship title, the narrative context serves as a light yet effective backdrop for the relentless racing thrills on offer.

Overall Experience

WipEout 3: Special Edition is the ultimate package for fans of futuristic racing. By combining the full WipEout 3 roster with beloved tracks from the original and XL entries, it provides unmatched track diversity and replay value. The improved menus, clearer fonts, and extended name-entry options all contribute to a smoother, more polished experience.

Longtime devotees will relish the chance to perfect lap times on resurging classics, while newcomers will find enough modernized handling tweaks and UI enhancements to feel at ease. The balanced ship classes and adjustable difficulty settings mean you can tailor the experience to your skill level, ensuring that both casual races and hardcore tournaments feel rewarding.

Whether you’re looking to relive nostalgic battles or introduce yourself to a landmark racing franchise, WipEout 3: Special Edition stands out as a must-have edition. Its blend of proven gameplay mechanics, stellar visual presentation, and thoughtful quality-of-life improvements makes it a standout choice—and an overall exhilarating ride from start to finish.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10