When people talk about the Nintendo 64 and racing games, it usually doesn’t take long for Mario Kart 64 to pop up in the conversation. And sure, it deserves the praise. It’s fun, frantic, and packed with nostalgia. Others might bring up Diddy Kong Racing or F-Zero X, two titles that expanded what racing games could be on the console. But beyond the obvious hits lies a forgotten gem that rarely gets mentioned in retrospectives or ranking lists, and yet, it holds its own against the best. If you’ve ever asked yourself what’s the most underrated N64 racing game, there’s a strong case to be made for Beetle Adventure Racing.
Yes, a game centered around the Volkswagen New Beetle, a car more associated with flower decals than white-knuckle speed, is one of the most surprising and satisfying racing experiences the N64 ever saw. It’s a title that many ignored, brushed aside, or simply never heard about. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a racer that delivers an incredible amount of variety, creativity, and replay value.
Why Beetle Adventure Racing gets overlooked
Part of the reason Beetle Adventure Racing slipped under the radar comes down to its branding. When you slap a specific car model on the front cover, people tend to assume it’s a glorified commercial. And while product placement was clearly part of the game’s foundation, what the developers at Paradigm Entertainment created was so much more than an ad in motion.
The timing also didn’t help. Released in 1999, Beetle Adventure Racing came out late in the N64’s lifecycle. The PlayStation was dominating the market, and Nintendo fans were already looking ahead to what the next big release might be. And with more attention focused on games like Perfect Dark, Smash Bros., and Majora’s Mask, a Volkswagen-themed racer didn’t exactly scream must-play.
But ask anyone who actually played it, and they’ll tell you it defied expectations in the best possible way.
What makes the gameplay so addictive
The reason this game is my answer to what’s the most underrated N64 racing game comes down to one thing: fun factor. Beetle Adventure Racing doesn’t try to be a simulation. It doesn’t care about authentic tuning systems, tire wear, or accurate physics. What it does care about is making each race feel like an adventure. And it absolutely nails that.
The tracks are where this game really shines. Unlike many racers of its time, where circuits were simple laps around a generic track, Beetle Adventure Racing turned each course into a sprawling, exploratory playground. Take Mount Mayhem, for instance, an icy, snow-covered track loaded with alternate routes, frozen lakes, and collapsing bridges. Or Inferno Isle, where volcanoes erupt as you drive, creating environmental hazards mid-race.
Every level is packed with shortcuts, hidden paths, and destructible elements that keep you experimenting lap after lap. You’re not just racing other Beetles, you’re constantly hunting for faster routes and higher jumps. That design philosophy makes each race feel fresh, even on repeat playthroughs.
Multiplayer that still holds up
Multiplayer modes are critical for a racing game’s longevity, and Beetle Adventure Racing delivers in ways that feel ahead of their time. Up to four players can race against each other, and thanks to split-screen optimization, the framerate stays surprisingly stable for an N64 title.
There’s also a battle mode, which takes cues from Mario Kart but feels more strategic. Players drive around arenas collecting power-ups and trying to eliminate each other. It’s fast, chaotic fun, and while it doesn’t have the polish of Nintendo’s flagship, it still adds another layer of depth to an already full package.
For a game that wasn’t expected to be a multiplayer hit, it certainly became one in my friend group. We lost hours to chasing each other through tunnels and across suspension bridges. It made me realize that what’s the most underrated N64 racing game isn’t just about solo play, it’s about bringing people together.
Sound design and atmosphere
Another reason Beetle Adventure Racing deserves more recognition is its surprisingly immersive presentation. The graphics pushed the N64 to its limits, with large, detailed environments that felt alive. Jungle courses were thick with vegetation, cities had moving traffic and destructible signs, and snowy mountains featured realistic sliding physics.
The sound design complemented it all beautifully. Engines roared appropriately, terrain made a difference in tire sounds, and environmental noises, like crumbling rocks or howling wind, heightened the tension. The soundtrack was upbeat, with a kind of quirky, funky vibe that fit the lighthearted tone without becoming repetitive.
This was a game that didn’t just race, it created atmosphere. Each track felt like a world, and that kind of ambition wasn’t common in racers at the time.
Depth beyond the surface
One of the biggest surprises came from how much depth was baked into Beetle Adventure Racing. There are collectibles hidden throughout each track in the form of crates, many of which are placed in secret areas or at the end of risky jumps. Crates reward players with time bonuses, point boosts, and even unlockable content like additional tracks and Beetle variations.
This created a dual-purpose approach to gameplay. You could try to win the race outright, or you could focus on exploration, risking your position in the standings to hunt for hidden rewards. Not many racing games managed to balance those two modes of play, but Beetle Adventure Racing did it seamlessly.
It made me wonder how such a cleverly crafted game flew under the radar. Maybe if it had a different title or featured a wider range of cars, more people would have taken notice. Still, that’s part of what makes it special. When people ask what’s the most underrated N64 racing game, I get to bring up a hidden gem that still surprises players even today.
Comparisons with the heavy hitters
Stack Beetle Adventure Racing up against Mario Kart 64 or Diddy Kong Racing, and you’ll find it holds its own in terms of gameplay depth and creativity. While it may lack the character-based flair of its competitors, it makes up for it with strong track design, a sense of freedom, and dynamic environments.
Compared to F-Zero X, it doesn’t offer the same breakneck speed or futuristic vibe, but it gives players more to interact with. In Beetle Adventure Racing, the world isn’t just a backdrop, it’s part of the race. The roads crumble, the bridges fall, and the terrain can make or break your strategy. That environmental storytelling adds a sense of presence that most racers just don’t deliver.
It may not be the best-known racer, but it’s certainly one of the most thoughtfully constructed, which is why my answer to what’s the most underrated N64 racing game always comes back to this title.
The legacy it never got
Beetle Adventure Racing didn’t get a proper sequel, at least not in a traditional sense. There was Beetle Buggin’ (also known as HSX) on PlayStation and PC, but it lacked the charm and gameplay depth of its N64 predecessor. The New Beetle also faded from pop culture relevance, which likely contributed to the game being forgotten.
But among retro game collectors and N64 enthusiasts, the title has slowly been gaining appreciation. Prices on the secondhand market have gone up slightly, and more people are including it in their top lists of games you might have missed. Still, it hasn’t quite broken into the mainstream consciousness, and that’s why I keep telling people: if you’re wondering what’s the most underrated N64 racing game, don’t sleep on the Beetle.
Why it’s worth revisiting today
With modern retro gaming setups, emulators, and HDMI mods for old consoles, it’s easier than ever to revisit N64 classics. And if you’re looking for something fresh that still delivers that vintage thrill, Beetle Adventure Racing is absolutely worth tracking down.
The controls feel tight, the visuals hold up surprisingly well, and the gameplay loop is just as satisfying as it was decades ago. Whether you’re chasing hidden crates or challenging your friends in multiplayer, this game brings back the kind of pure fun that’s harder to find in today’s overly polished titles.
It’s also a fantastic reminder of how creativity can shine even within corporate constraints. A game based on a single car model shouldn’t be this good, but it is. That alone makes it a compelling pick for what’s the most underrated N64 racing game.
Conclusion
There’s no shortage of racing games on the Nintendo 64, and many of them are rightfully praised for what they brought to the genre. But once in a while, a game slips through the cracks, not because it wasn’t good, but because it didn’t fit the mold. Beetle Adventure Racing was that game. Quirky, innovative, and way more fun than anyone expected, it has earned its place in the retro gaming hall of fame.
So if you’re diving back into the N64 library and want something off the beaten path, ask yourself what’s the most underrated N64 racing game. Then go find a copy of Beetle Adventure Racing. You might be surprised by how hard it is to put down.