Wipeout Pulse Critic Reviews

A nearly perfect experience. Feel the Pulse.

Wipeout Pulse is undeniably cool, and the best in the series to date.

Wipeout Pulse is undoubtedly the greatest racing game on the PSP, if not the greatest game ever made.

Same-old, same-old, which means slick, challenging and extra packed online content!

Add to this equation a staggering variety of weapons (with accompanying cryptic icons) all capable of reducing your fellow competitors to fused hunks of flaming track detritus, a masterfully produced techno soundtrack and some clever online features and you've got a game that has essentially taken up permanent residence in our PSPs.

The gameplay is very tight and easy to get into, whether you're going solo through Campaign or Racebox or challenging others through AdHoc and Infrastructure. The downloadable content is hot, too. It may not be easy, but this Pulse definitely rates high.

This is the best WipEout game to date, make no bones about it.

WipEout Pulse is, by far, one of the most enjoyable and addictive racing games to come along for the PSP this year. It’s a fast-paced, unforgiving and intense racing that will surely please fans of the racing game genre even with the lack of racetracks.

If you're a fan of the fast paced racing then WipEout Pulse is a must have for your PSP.

So yes, I'm a big whiner about the new way the game throws all its different modes at you during the career progression, but custom soundtracks, online play, tons of subtle little tweaks to the handling, track design, weapons and even a few elements borrowed from past games all add up to one of the most insanely packed offerings on the PSP right now.

It feels more like WipEout Pure 2 than an original title of its own, but there are so many options, customizable features and settings, as well as online play and expected developer downloads, that makes Pulse to go from a teetering try to a full must-buy.

The visuals are terrific, with perfect lighting and great frame rates, and the music sticks to its pulsing electronica roots. Pulse, with its challenging gameplay and deep single-player campaign, is first and foremost a fan service to traditional WipEout fans, but newcomers will likely fall in love with the game, too, assuming they don't become too frustrated in the early going.

It features the same punishing reflex-based gameplay, high speeds and engaging flair that other games in the series have trademarked. While it's unfortunate that the game doesn't radically reinvent the series or vastly expand upon the play, WipEout Pulse is still an extremely enjoyable title for racing fans.

Wipeout Pulse for the PSP is a great update to the long running racing series that is exclusive to Sony branded machines.

WipEout fans, WipEout Pulse is a must have edition in the franchise.

Nothing new as far as the franchise is concerned. But the formula is so brilliant, why change it? Studio Liverpool tried once with "Fusion" and it took "Pure" to get it back on track. Pulse helps keep it there.

It is one of the few futuristic racers that feels actually playable after a few minutes, a considerable feat considering the competition. It has great tracks, varied gameplay, and some pretty innovative online functionality. It is a blast to play.

So while it doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary (well, in comparison to the rest of the series), it delivers what it needs to and does with distinction. It's marginally a better game than the original, but it doesn't have the advantage of being the series' return to form. Still, if you're a WipEout fan or someone who's after an adrenaline and challenge packed racer, then WipEout Pulse astutely fits the bill.

Developers take note - this is how games for PSP should be made. Keep the controls simple. Structure the action fo rshort, sharp play sessions. And cater for PSP's criminally overlooked online functions.

It's not for everyone, but if you like knuckle-whitening racing thrills, look no further.