UPDATED: 10/10/2016 -added 9th version; WiiUVC version info -added sub-region versions -iQue section update
<-- Game Versions -->
First off; there are 9 different possible ways to play the game Wave Race 64: ¤¤Note this does not include EMULATION of any of these versions, as emu is BANNED
-N64 = Nintendo 64 Console (JP: September 27, 1996) (US: November 1, 1996) (PAL: April 29, 1997) -iQue = Chinese iQue System (November 2003) -WiiVC = Wii Virtual Console (August 2007) -WiiUVC = Wii U Virtual Console (PAL: December 31, 2015) (US :August 11th, 2016)
- <N64> US-NTSC [v0.1 & v0.2]
- <N64> JP-NTSC [v0.1 & v0.2]
- <N64> JPv1.1-NTSC (Shindou/"Rumble" Version)
- <N64> PAL
- <WiiVC> US-NTSC
- <WiiVC> JP-NTSC
- <WiiVC> PAL
- <iQue> Chinese iQue Version [v1.1]
- <WiiUVC> US-NTSC
N64 US-NTSC and JP-NTSC non-shindou versions of wave race have two different cart versions. You can tell the difference by looking at the printed number on the back of the game cartridge's sticker. To my knowledge this applies to both US/JP carts, but I dont know how PAL carts are stamped, and I believe PAL carts are all one version either v0.1 or v0.2 but it is currently unknown if that is correct.
Check out http://zeldaspeedruns.com/oot/generalknowledge/version-differences to see more of what I'm talking about. The version "stamps" for wave race are identified like so, (the x's represent random numbers): xx = v0.1 xxA = v0.2 1 10 = Shindou Version v1.1
-There are no known differences yet between v0.1 and v0.2 at all other than the production stamp on the cart, for all I can see right now, they could in fact be the same software, but I suspect otherwise.. -The Chinese iQue version has been confirmed as essentially a chinese version of v1.1 (Shindou version) -The Wii VC and Wii U VC versions are separate versions, but all known differences are cosmetic (v0.3 & v0.4?), more info coming soon
Feel free to post/share your cart version info or stamps!
<-- For INDIVIDUAL LEVEL runs -->
In order to create a FAIR basis for competition the games would be grouped into 3 main categories or groups based purely on advantages/disadvantages that could distinctively effect your IGT (in-game time). The groups are NOT defined by game feature/control scheme/cosmetic differences, though some may be mentioned.
{1} <N64> JP1.1-NTSC (Shindou), <N64> JP-NTSC, <N64> US-NTSC, <WiiVC> US-NTSC & JP-NTSC, <WiiUVC> US-NTSC
To the best of our current knowledge, these versions of the game are all the same from a competitive standpoint, you should technically be able to achieve the same IL times on any of these versions. THAT BEING SAID the Shindou 1.1 version of the game contains VERY helpful benefits. The main one being the ability to save a GHOST of your personal best lap onto an N64 Memory Pak. Other notable benefits include the SHORTENED loading times between restarts of a Time Trial Level (you dont have to wait as long when retrying your level attempt), this is probably due to the re-programming in version 1.1 and thus; optimization. It should also be noted that the Shindou version seems to have a higher output frame rate from the N64, Shindou can be observed @ 59.97 FPS vs. US-NTSC @ 59.94 FPS.
The virtual console versions (Wii & Wii U) of the game seem to have very slight input lag/delay. This is something that is a known flaw of many/most VC titles. As well the main analog stick input on the gamecube controller/classic pro wii controller/Wii U Gamepad feels very sensitive, and creates a situation where its essentially more difficult to make slight stick inputs and slight input cornering, which is a negative factor in my opinion.
{2} <iQue> Chinese iQue Version
Two players now own iQue's to my knowledge, Shibbypod and Ghilleguide. It has been confirmed by Shibby that iQue is in fact the Shindou version of the game (v1.1). This means using it provides access to the ghost features and rumble. The game has cosmetic differences, i.e. Chinese announcer, Chinese text layer, but it is otherwise the same as Shindou 1.1 as far as I know.
The iQue version does run at what seems to be a faster speed, possibly because the console itself runs faster. As well the loading times seem to be slightly shorter to my understanding (something that doesnt affect IL's). We do not yet fully know why.
Though this changes the game for RTA and creates a time-saving factor when measuring a run using an out-of-game timer to time a full run, this does NOT affect individual level run times due to the in-game timer still running on the same frame to frame basis, or "frame timer".
The argument could be made that this version essentially makes IL's more difficult due to the speed of the game being faster. Essentially faster frame output = less real time to make the correct inputs.
{3} PAL, PAL ¤¤Virtual Console???¤¤
PAL has a MASSIVE difference between most other versions of the game. PAL is MUCH slower and cannot really be compared to the other region releases. This is mainly due to the fact that the game runs (as all classic PAL games do) at 50 FPS instead of 60 FPS. This is of course again because of the difference in TV standards i.e. 50hz vs. 60hz standard. The devs did not properly redo the internal 20FPS frame rate of WR64, and Because of this ALL of the PAL individual level runs are much much slower, this can be observed as a difference anywhere from 5-15 seconds BEHIND the other NTSC releases. PAL version also suffers from things like the game being more letter-boxed than normal because the devs did not correct the NTSC resolution for PAL TV's thus losing space for gameplay on-screen and making gameplay "smaller". PAL does not have any of the extra bonuses/added features of the 1.1 Shindou version of the game.
Differences can be seen in such videos:
¤¤ I'm not sure about the PAL VC version of the game, but I'm guessing it's also a reduced version as well for 50hz? I'll have to look into this a bit and correct this section regarding PAL VC. ¤¤
+++ IL F A Q +++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Q: TL;DR / What does this IL guide mean???
A: This means the "best" version to try and play on right now for IL's is the 1.1 Shindou JP version for N64 for the features (ghost/dolphin saving) and the optimizations in game-speed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Q: What if I don't want to use that version???
A:You don't have to! As you can see by this guide, all of the non-PAL versions are literally equally as competitive in terms of ability to achieve the fastest IL times. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Q: I'm in PAL-Land!! I can't/don't want to get NTSC gear!! Help!?!
A: Then dont! If you get the #1 PAL Sunny Beach time... then technically you have the top PAL Sunny Beach time! Yes, you may not have the "World Record" (and you never will with PAL) but you can still obtain the top PAL times! I don't necessarily ¤recommend¤ going this way, and we already have top players in PAL regions playing on NTSC for top times, but it's a great way to get into the game when you're first starting or just picking up the game, and you should know that your time is still valued in its respected "category". You shouldn't be discouraged to play on PAL, and in theory your PAL skill could transfer to NTSC if you decide to later make the switch!
NOTE ¤¤ Our boards currently rank all times together, and don't differentiate between these 3 categories for IL's, but we are currently discussing ways to implement an option to sort between the 3 distinct groups. As well that being said, you can still see the region of a run and you're able to tell for the most part (other than legacy records) what version the run was done on. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
<-- For REAL-TIME ATTACK runs -->
¤¤COMING SOON¤¤ I will continue to update this guide for RTA runs soon. (Runs with an out-of-game timer, i.e. Championship runs, 100%, Time Trial All)
Until this RTA guide section is fully updated, it should be quickly noted that we now have 2 players with the iQue version and it has been confirmed that the iQue version is optimal to use for RTA though no iQue records are currently being posted, and use of iQue is being discussed.
Load times are a important factor when running RTA. For optimal time save with load times in RTA from fastest to slowest load times:
{1} <iQue> Chinese iQue Version [v1.1] {2} <N64> JPv1.1-NTSC (Shindou/"Rumble" Version) {3} <N64> US-NTSC & <N64> JP-NTSC {4} <VC> versions {5} <PAL> versions
Actual game speed differs from version to version as well. Currently the fastest version is the iQue, with most others being close, and PAL versions being slower at 50hz instead of the US 60hz standard. ¤See above videos for PAL comparison.
- See Ghille's videos in this thread to see load times compared between versions.
Nice guide, analog! I believe iQue should be in the same category as shindou, it definitely is the same version with the language changed and the text all changed to chinese as well. It definitely also has faster loading times than all of the other versions, although I have not tested the VC for loading times yet. VC however is most definitely a 1.0 version of the game however. I wonder why Nintendo decided not to make VC the Shindou version like they did for iQue?
I think the cutscene comparisons I did are useful to have added to the OP. US 1.0 vs JP 1.1: Result is 0;05;09 difference just in cutscene lag+loads for Normal Championship JP 1.1 vs IQue: Result is 0;03;02 difference just in cutscene lag+loads for Normal Championship Championship
