The Nintendo 64 instalment of the Destruction Derby series of games that were popular on the PlayStation, PC and Sega Saturn. The N64 version isn’t a straight port, but rather a spin off title which you would see often with racing games, with the N64 getting specialized ports of Ridge Racer and Wipeout.

Destruction Derby 64 is played as a vehicular combat racer where you pilot one of 24 cars (stock cars, hot rods, ambulances, taxis, etc.—12 start unlocked, others via progression/Time Trials) across 8 tracks and 4 circular bowls (arenas). The core loop is to race to checkpoints/finish while ramming opponents to rack up destruction points, wreck them (explode/disable), and survive as damage affects your handling/speed, so balance aggression with caution.

Single-player in Destruction Derby 64 (World Championship mode, plus Arcade and Time Trial) revolves around scoring the highest points via destruction + racing progression, not just pure placement. Races end when all  opponents are wrecked, your damage meter fills (you explode), or you miss a timed checkpoint. Up to 12 AI cars split into 2-3 groups for head-on chaos from the start (opposing groups reverse direction), no lapping system.

The multiplayer takes advantage of the four controller ports the N64 provided.  You have access to 4 player split screen with has the game modes Deathmatch, Destruction Race, Tomb Tag and Capture The Flag, Unlike the console versions you don’t need to have two consoles linked up via the serial cable, all of this can run on one N64 console.

There is a nice variety of track in the game, Seascape Sprint has a costal/beachside appearance to its and make me thinks it takes some inspiration from the costal track from Rage Racer. Metro Challenge is a more urban environment set in a more built up area, whilst Terminal Impact is set on a Airport terminal with plenty of obstacles that you will need to avoid. Destruction Junction is a figure-8 designed track that can be tricky to navigate as it’s easy to make a wrong turn.

Destruction Derby 64 follows the same soundtrack theme as the PlayStation original with a techno/electronica inspired soundtrack that keeps pace with the games racing theme. However I feel a more industrial/grunge inspired theme would suit the destruction part of the game better.