Hydro Thunder - Dreamcast Game Review

Hydro Thunder is a power boat racing game from Midway that originated in the arcades, but made its way to the North American Dreamcast launch on 9/9/1999. Does this port still hold up, or is it an early Dreamcast release that is best left forgotten? Let's find out!
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[@frozenfear]

The poetry selection that begins this video is inspiring & poignant.
Also, LOVED this in the arcades, along with it's Arctic sibling. Definitely will seek it out on DC.

[@UltimateEnuo]

Nostalgia just hit me in the face as played this a lot growing up. Definitely helped an unmedicated child with ADHD growing up

[@Mal_Ah_Key]

This is a core Dreamcast game for me, the soundtrack could use a bit of sega cheese as you say but I have a soft spot for the greek isle theme it's so jaunty.

[@CasperEgas]

I was really impressed by it at the time. Nowadays I think it has lost some of its luster. It is a fun arcade game, but the boosting it too important and it can be a bit frustrating later on.

[@j.goggels9115]

Arcade games have a lifespan of about 50 seconds depending on your abilities, after which you're expected to throw another coin in or leave the room for the next customer. Hydro Thunder is no exception to the general rule and I'm not sure making the purchase of the Sega Dreamcast port (that Midway delegated to some european devs) would be more economical than emptying your pockets in the arcade, as those speedboats are not the only thing to quickly run out of your fuel. Not that they don't make an effort to be entertaining ; Midway obviously tries very very very hard... to copy Sega's Daytona USA without you noticing but at the end of the day, Hydro Thunder is just not quite Carling. I mean, sure it IS fun. For 15 minutes. By the time you'll reach the second series of races you'll have grown tired of it, not because of the music score straight out of Steven Seagal's greatest VHS release ; it's something to do with the racer's mechanic, as if cutting corners, as if cheating, was the only option to win ? I don't know why I sense a freudian slip on the part of Hydro Thunder's creators. On the starting line with South Park Rally and Pen Pen Tri-Icelon, congratulations Midway, you win. Well done. TLDR Hydro Thunder makes for 5 Pounds well spent.

[@AndyAdams1985]

Ahh, so that’s where Lucasarts copied pod racer from!