Air Boarder 64 for Nintendo 64

There aren’t many Nintendo 64 games out there due to the lack of appeal of the console itself, but there are a few rare gems and Air Boarder 64 might be something that will appeal to you especially if you are looking for a multiplayer game for Nintendo 64. Air Boarder 64 is not a perfect game and can be a bit frustrating for new players that aren’t familiar with the genre. Here is a description of the game along with game cheats and hints.

Gameplay

On the outside, Air Boarder 64 looks like a futuristic hover board game that resembles skateboard simulation type of gameplay. Like the other skateboard simulators, you need to rack up lots of points by doing a barrage of tricks or collect coins or set time records depending on the level or task. Controlling the player is the main challenge here since it is a hover board.

Before starting the game, you can select a character with each character having different moves. Some of the higher point tricks have different button combinations so stick to one character and build up to get used to the gameplay. You can also choose from a list of boards that your character can ride on. These boards vary on terrain, acceleration, and speed ratings.

Game Hints

If you want to progress through the game and unlock all the goodies, start with the “Street Work” mode and play through the different levels. There are 5 different environments in all each divided into three separate parts. Basically, all you need to do is score as many points as you can as possible by doing trick combos using the environs around you. The aim is to score over 40,000 points in each level to get the “S Rank” which is used to unlock certain extras if done on every level. Each area is timed so you need to be quick in earning the points, but several checkpoints scattered around the stage are available to extend the time.

You can do the checkpoints in any order you wish unless you are playing the “Time Attack” mode, but there is always one optimal order that lets you score big, so start out by scouting around the area and getting yourself familiar with the checkpoints. Be warned that once you reach the last checkpoint, the run ends no matter how much time you have left. Although the remaining seconds give you 100 points per second, it is better to utilize the time in doing multiple trick combos until the run is over. This method is crucial for reaching the “S Rank”.

Although the characters seem to be different in terms of moves and controls, all of them play similarly so no need to get caught up with selecting your character. However, the boards control the pace of the game and beginners should start out with the “Air Walker” board because it is geared for Free-Style usage. Free-style boards are slower making it easier to control. Although this isn’t the board of choice for scoring big, it is great start if you want to get used to the controls of the game. Once you gotten the hang of it, choose the “Scorpion” board for its faster speed. Forget about the other boards including the first unlockable “Crab Claws” board, which may be useful for small half pipe areas. The last 3 unlockables are pretty good in their own ways.

You can unlock these 4 boards by getting an “S” ranking in every stage (although an “A” ranking can unlock a board as well), setting a new recording in each “Time Attack” stage, and collecting all the coins in coin mode. For the time attack and coin modes, practice and familiarization makes perfect.

Cheats

Aside from the unlockables, there aren’t many game cheats to get you going. But you can unlock 4 additional boards if you unlock the 4 characters by completing the requirements to get the 4 boards mentioned earlier. All you need to do is press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A on the board selection screen. All of the 4 new boards despite their S rankings are pretty useless compared to the other 4 you unlocked. You can also give yourself a speed boost in the beginning if you hold the acceleration button right when the commentator says “Go”.

Air Boarder 64 isn’t a really hard game, but once you get used to the controls, you should easily score points beyond the challenges laid out.