With Midway and its fortunes long since cast into the wind, you'd be right to think that the chances of getting a sequel to the company's arcade boat racing game, Hydro Thunder, were extremely slim. But that very sequel is on display here at Penny Arcade's PAX East, and it looks like Vector Unit, the independent developer putting it all together under the name Hydro Thunder Hurricane, clearly understands what needs to be done.
Now, Vector Unit didn't actually buy up the rights to Hydro Thunder in a Midway fire sale. As it turns out, it was Microsoft that picked up those rights. Actually, this just has me wondering what other Midway properties Microsoft picked up along the way. But forget about that. Hydro Thunder Hurricane is an Xbox Live Arcade boat racing game that utilizes the same mechanics as the original arcade game, including boost pick-ups and different courses, each with their own distinct visual theme. While the tracks are new, the boats from the original game return with some light redesigns and new skins. Also, at least environment--Lake Powell--will return, though it's an all-new track set in the same area found in the original game.
Like its predecessor, Hurricane is a fast-moving boat racing game where you race against 15 computer-controlled opponents and fight against the waves as you attempt to stay on course and get to the finish line. Unlike the original game, this one will also have online support for up to eight players, splitscreen support for up to four players, and the ability to get those splitscreen games online.
Vector Unit is nearing the finish line and expects the game to be released this summer, and the crew is already thinking about creating some additional tracks to be used as DLC after the game's release. For a look at the action, here's the trailer that was also issued today.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane
Game » consists of 2 releases. Released Jul 28, 2010
Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a downloadable high-speed watercraft racing game for Xbox Live Arcade and Windows 8. It is the long awaited sequel to Hydro Thunder.
Hands-On: Hydro Thunder Hurricane
With Midway and its fortunes long since cast into the wind, you'd be right to think that the chances of getting a sequel to the company's arcade boat racing game, Hydro Thunder, were extremely slim. But that very sequel is on display here at Penny Arcade's PAX East, and it looks like Vector Unit, the independent developer putting it all together under the name Hydro Thunder Hurricane, clearly understands what needs to be done.
Now, Vector Unit didn't actually buy up the rights to Hydro Thunder in a Midway fire sale. As it turns out, it was Microsoft that picked up those rights. Actually, this just has me wondering what other Midway properties Microsoft picked up along the way. But forget about that. Hydro Thunder Hurricane is an Xbox Live Arcade boat racing game that utilizes the same mechanics as the original arcade game, including boost pick-ups and different courses, each with their own distinct visual theme. While the tracks are new, the boats from the original game return with some light redesigns and new skins. Also, at least environment--Lake Powell--will return, though it's an all-new track set in the same area found in the original game.
Like its predecessor, Hurricane is a fast-moving boat racing game where you race against 15 computer-controlled opponents and fight against the waves as you attempt to stay on course and get to the finish line. Unlike the original game, this one will also have online support for up to eight players, splitscreen support for up to four players, and the ability to get those splitscreen games online.
Vector Unit is nearing the finish line and expects the game to be released this summer, and the crew is already thinking about creating some additional tracks to be used as DLC after the game's release. For a look at the action, here's the trailer that was also issued today.
Old video player! And shouldn't the trailer say "This ain't your big brother's Hydro Thunder", not 'daddy's'? I don't remember this game being that old.
Man, using the old video player again just solidified my dislike for the new one even more.
You guys should totally bring back the old one, or at least give us an option to use either.
At 1:01, this game already achieves everything the God of War series tried to do in a 3 second clip :P
Am I seriously the only one that never even heard of this franchise? From what I've gatherd from other comments(and Jeff's post) is that its an old arcade franchise. Then its pretty understandable that I never heard of it since Arcades, not a big hit in Sweden when I was growing up in the 90's
DUDE YES!!!! Microsoft bring San Francisco Rush next please!
Wow, shitty arcade games you only see in movie theaters are now "classics"? I remember these marking the end of arcades and leaving only the Chuck E. Cheese variety of generic racing games with interchangeable graphics as the last remnants of a bygone era.
This ain't your daddy's Bimini Run.
I think someone has noted down every classic game I played as a kid and re-releasing them on Xbox Live Arcade.
They should do San Francisco Rush next (as someone mentioned here earlier)!
...and after that maybe Superfrog and Qwak. And Lotus II. Turbo Raketti also. And Ski or Die on Amiga.
By the way, this game had a cool credits screen!
The laundromat I go to has the original version. It's so strange that anyone would actually fund a re-make of this game, but I guess it's hard coming up with original ideas and easier to just reboot somewhat obscure games. Now if only Uniracers, Act Raiser, Demon's Crest, and Starflight would get the same treatment. heh.
Four player split screen WITH the ability to take all four players online ala Halo?
Fucking eh, Cotton. Fucking eh.
Developers the world over need to learn how to make this a STANDARD FUCKING FEATURE in video games. I'm glad that an XBOX LIVE A-R-C-A-D-E game is getting it right.
The summer, huh? Hydro Thunder Hurricane part of Summer of Arcade confirmed?! I HOPE SO!!!
" DUDE YES!!!! Microsoft bring San Francisco Rush next please! "This would be awesome!
Yes thank you for finally giving us another arcade racer!!! I feel like its been years, YEARS I TELL YOU!!! Now a days it seems all we get is simulator type racing games like Grand Turismo and Forza. This Hydro Thunder looks like it will be just as good if not better then the old one. Anyone drooling hunt down a Dreamcast or a N64 and a copy of the original.
Oh man that looks good, I like that the powerups are larger.
MrKlorox, if you want Waverace, go bitch at Nintendo. OR buy Dead or Alive Extreme 2 for 360, which is basically that.
SanJ, Hydro Thunder predates that Hogan shit.
MS needs to making the following XBLA games happen, either via the Games Room or just as standalone purchases : -
- Daytona
- SEGA Rally Arcade
- Power Drift
- San Francisco Rush and Rush 2049
- Quantum Redshift
"I hope the Jet Moto devs see this as a little inspiration. ; ) "
lol we can only hope they do. I think a new Wave Race game would be really cool also.. i loved the ones on Nintendo 64 and Gamecube
where did all these awesome Racing games go anyways? i don't know about you guys but i'm pretty sick of seeing nothing but Forza, Moto GP, Gran Turismo, and all the other enthusiast shlock that's domininating the racing game genre.. this news is awesome!
now all we need is some new Wipeout games, Jet Moto, F Zero, Wave Race, and even a new Ridge Racer and i'll be content.
tired of these dicks crying for games to be more realistic, wanting realism in games is like wanting realism in Porn.. it's never presented well and always makes you feel awkward.
" @Cerza said:Fuck YEAH!!!!" DUDE YES!!!! Microsoft bring San Francisco Rush next please! "This would be awesome! "
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