The Nintendo Switch Online is on a roll lately. Not just because they finally have a steady stream of releases, but also because Expansion Pack subscribers will have access to Iggy's Reckin' Balls. And that's not the only racing game hitting the online service this week, because Extreme-G is also speeding to the finish line. That's cool news, but are either of these games actually worth playing? To answer that question, I decided to flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro, Computer & Video Games and more classic magazines to see what the critics said back when these games first came out. I hope you have that need for speed, because this is going to be a highly-competitive episode of Nintendo Switch Online Review Crew.


Now here's a Nintendo 64 character you probably forgot about. Part platformer and part racing game, Iggy's Reckin' Balls is an interesting mash-up that features a bunch of ball characters using grappling hooks to climb large towers and avoid dangerous obstacles. If you remember this game, it's likely due to the nightmare-inducing characters, which are balls with massive faces. I know it's meant to be cute and adorable, but there's just something about the Nintendo 64 visuals that screams “HORROR MOVIE!” Perhaps that's why Iggy and his ball-shaped competitors never got a second game. Let's see if the critics were as freaked out by these characters as I was.

Over at Electronic Gaming Monthly, the editors were split when it came to Iggy's Reckin' Balls. John, gave it a 5.5 out of 10, which he knew was going to be a lot lower than his peers: “Even through we don't read each other's reviews before going to print, I've got a pretty good idea that my Reckin' Balls score'll be lower than anyone else's. My problem is that the game just doesn't do anything for me. The characters are lame, the weapons are substandard, and I just can't find the fun in mindlessly grappling your way through level after level of endless track.” Dan gave the game a 7.5 out of 10, confused by John's lower score: “It's one of those games that looks overly simplistic and boring, but once you sit down and play it, it really grows on you. The best part of the game is the excellent level design. Each track has a unique layout, keeping the pace frantic and the challenge level high. Multiplayer, as expected, is a lot of fun. This is no Mario Kart by any means, but you should still check it out.” When all was said and done, EGM gave Iggy an average score of 6.75 out of 10.

Now, if you think that's low, just wait until you see where it ranks with the other critics. Nintendo Power, for example, went with a slightly lower average of 6.6 out of 10, while Computer & Video Games went with a disappointing 3 out of 5. The lowest score came from N64 magazine in the UK, who gave it a score of 56% and concluded that it's “a prime example of a try-before-you-buy type of game. And a frighteningly ugly one at that.” They went on to explain that “Iggy's isn't a terrible game. It's got plenty of nice ideas, and borrows liberally from Mario Kart – which is no bad thing. It's just totally lacking in personality and spark, two vital, ethereal components that can't be copied from anywhere. You might like it, if you're really desperate for something a little offbeat, but we think our copy will just be gathering dust from now on.”

Now, if you're wondering, the highest score comes from GamePro, but that doesn't mean they loved the game. Giving Iggy's Reckin' Balls a 3.5 out of 5, they concluded that “the gameplay and controls are easy to pick up for gamers of all ages, but mastering the levels will require practice. Iggy's greatest strength lies in its multiplayer appeal as you bounce about and throw your friends around. While it's far from a Mario Kart killer, Iggy does have the wheels for mass appeal and N64 fun.”

If there's one takeaway from these reviews, it's that Iggy's Reckin' Balls is no Mario Kart. But you already knew that. If you're looking for a racing game that is quite a bit different from what you're probably used to, then give this a try on the Switch.

The late 1990s were such a good time for futuristic racing games that you could have F-Zero and wipEout, and there was still room left over for a game like Extreme-G. Released in late 1997, this was part of Acclaim's apology tour, proving that they are a much better company than the dreck they released in the 16-bit era. The big difference between this and F-Zero is that players are mainly controlling futuristic motorcycles and there are a bunch of both offensive and defensive weapons to give you the upper-hand. These days it's largely overshadowed by the bigger games in the genre, but Extreme-G proved to be popular enough at the time to warrant three additional sequels, the last of which came out in 2003. Let's see what the critics said.

When it came to Electronic Gaming Monthly, the editors were genuinely shocked by Acclaim's drastic change in direction. Giving the game an 8.5 out of 10, John said “Wow. Two really good Acclaim games in a row. Extreme-G is one of the best, and definitely the most unique, racers on the Nintendo 64 thus far. The course layouts are dizzying and the sensation of speed you get is just awesome. My only complaint is that the weapons are way too effective, but otherwise, Extreme-G is definitely a keeper.” Kraig liked the game even more, giving it a 9: “Pardon the cheap pun, but this game is extreme good. Picture wipEout with really ingenious track design that consists of loop-de-loops and corkscrews, and you know what Extreme-G is like. Extreme-G is the type of N64 racing game that should've arrived long ago.” Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game an average score of 8.5 out of 10.

As is so often the case, this sits right in the middle of the reviews. Nintendo Power gave the game a slimier score, going with an average of 8.1 out of 10. It also got a straight 4 out of 5 from Next Generation, while Edge went a bit lower with a 7 out of 10. However, the lowest score comes to us from another UK publication – Computer & Video Games. Giving it a 3 out of 5, Paul tried to compare this game to the competition: “I discovered it was a big mistake to approach Extreme-G expecting an N64 version of wipEout. WipEout is a real racing game. Extreme-G's entertainment experience breaks down into 20% racing, 20% blasting and 60% Wow-That-Looks-Amazing! In Extreme-G, you don't worry about learning to control your bike because you just bounce through the corners, leaving you to concentrate on blasting your way through the opposition. It's not bad, but it's shallow. My reviewer's common sense is telling me not to be fooled by the pretty graphics, but there's no denying that once you get into Extreme-G, it is really good fun. To me, that's how games are supposed to be.”

On the higher end of the list, you have Game Fan give Extreme-G an average score of 87%, while 64 Extreme went one tick higher, giving it an 88%. The highest score comes from GamePro, who gave the racer an impressive 4.5 out of 5. “Extreme-G will definitely activate the salivary glands of wipEout fans who traded in their PlayStation for an N64. It's actually wipEout Lite – less filling, tastes great – but it's still heavy-duty fun.”

Despite having a number of sequels, Extreme-G has largely been forgotten about. This original game is solid, but the critics are right, it doesn't compare to either F-Zero or wipEout. It's still fun and definitely worth checking out on the Switch.