Excite (universe)
| Excite (universe) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Nintendo Left Field Productions Monster Games Hudson Soft Arika Hamster Corporation |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo Hamster Corporation |
| Designer(s) | Shigeru Miyamoto |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Console/platform of origin | Nintendo Entertainment System |
| First installment | Excitebike (1984) |
| Latest installment | Arcade Archives Excitebike (2018) |
Excite (エキサイト, Excite) is a universe in the Super Smash Bros. series on the series ofracing games that debuted with Excitebike, a motorcycle racing game for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Franchise Description
The first game titled Excitebike debuted in 1984 on the Famicom in Japan, then in other regions in 1985 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Shigeru Miyamoto and Toshihiko Nakago, the co-directors of the game, traveled from their homes to the development offices in Tokyo and stayed their for several days, often sharing a hotel room because of the high volume of tourists at the time. The goal of the game is making it to the finish line before the opponents. The game is an early example of a "simulation" game, with attempts at realistic physics and controls. Alongside shifting lanes, jumping off ramps and avoiding other racers, the player has to constantly monitor their engine temperature. If the bike overheats, it slows to a crawl until it cools down. If the player runs into other races or lands at the wrong angle after a jump, they crash and have to slowly get back on the bike before resuming the race.
This game in particular has been ported and remade numerous times over the decades. Notable examples include an arcade port titled Vs. Excitebike, a reskin with Mario characters exclusively for the Satelleview add-on to the Super Famicom titled Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium, and a remake for Nintendo 3DS with new camera controls titled 3D Classics: Excitebike. The game was also rereleased for Game Boy Advance twice. The first time for the e-Reader accessory in 2002, and again in 2004 on an actual cartridge as part of the Classic NES Series.
The series laid dormant for 16 years until a new game was released in 2000 for Nintendo 64, titled Excitebike 64. The game is less of a sequel and more of a 3D remake of the original game, complete with recreations of previous of tracks with the new axis. The game utilized the N64 rumble pak to simulate the bumps and enviroments on the road while playing.
The series then changed hands to Monster Games, who primarily developed all original releases going forward. The first was Excite Truck, released in 2006 for Wii. The game is a departure from the series by the introduction of cars and trucks, as well as a less realistic a more arcadey feel to the game. This was followed up by Excitebots: Trick Racing, which focused on animal themed robotic vehicles and even more over-the-top gameplay and presentation. The final entry in the series was the download-only WiiWare game Excitebike: World Rally. While being mostly similar to the NES entry, the game has an isometric perspective and features original tracks, as well as a now defunct online component. This game is no longer able to be purchased after the shut down of the Wii Shop Channel on January 31, 2019.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee
It was briefly rumoured that, along with Balloon Fighter, 'Excitebiker' was going to be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee to represent the NES era of games. Ultimately, that position went to the Ice Climbers, and in the released game, Excitebike is only an obtainable trophy.
Trophy
Excite Bike
- This top-of-the-line motocross motorcycle can accelerate like crazy with its turbo, but this also causes the temperature gauge to rise rapidly; if used too often, the bike will overheat. You can cool your hot bike down by running over special icons scattered across the track. The turbo and ramps let you pull insane airs.
- Excitebike
- 10/85
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Assist Trophy
A horde of Excitebike riders appear as a collective Assist Trophy in Brawl. They appear in their original 8-bit form, and they will drop from the sky in masses, before riding around the stage inflicting small damage and knockback to anyone who stands in their way. However, they will willingly drive off of the edge of the stage.
Trophies
Excitebikes
- High-performance motocross bikes that handle massive jumps with ease. Using turbo on these beauties gives a speed boost but also causes the engine's internal temperature to rise. Overuse turbo, and the bikes overheat and shut down. The engines can be cooled by running over certain marks on the track. Excitebikes cap off every race with an undeniably awesome wheelie.
: Excitebike
: Excitebike 64
Boulder
- An off-road vehicle that races over hills, around bodies of water, and through fields, vying to be first through the goal. While driving, you can pick up power-ups along the way, such as one that lets you power through obstacles at an even faster speed than normal. Along with trucklike vehicles, there are also buggy- and jeep-style vehicles available to race.
: Excite Truck
The Excitebike trophy in Brawl.
The Boulder trophy in Brawl.
Stickers
There are multiple Excite related stickers in Brawl. Artwork of an Excitebike rider, similar to the riders from the assist trophy, is one. Boulder, Firefly, Rad, and Wolf, four of the vehicles available in Excite Truck, are also stickers.
Music
The music track Excite Truck, taken directly from the Wii game of the same title. It plays on Mario Circuit.
In Super Smash Bros. 4
The Excite universe is no longer represented in Assist Trophy form in Super Smash Bros. 4. However, there is a collectible Trophy of the Excitebike Racer.
Trophy
- Excitebike Racer
- Released in 1985, Excitebike was one of the original launch titles for the NES in North America. A happy return to this racing classic, Excitebike: World Rally, was released in 2009 on the Wii. Racers use a variety of techniques in courses set all over the world. You can even make your own tracks!
Music
Excite Truck returns from Brawl, where it once again plays on that game's Mario Circuit stage.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Once again, the Excitebike racers do not reprise their role as an Assist Trophy, but one does appears as a spirit in Ultimate. Additionally, Excitebots: Trick Racing is given representation for the first time with the Beetle vehicle appearing as a spirit.
Music
The music track "Excite Truck" returns as an "Other" track, available to play on several stages representing universes with no playable characters or that consist of only a single game. The "Excitebike" remix from Mario Kart 8 is available under the "Mario Kart" series.
Spirits
| No. | Image | Name | Type | Class | Cost | Ability | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,123 |  |
Excitebike |  |
★★ | 1 | Move Speed ↑ | Excitebike Series |
| 1,245 |  |
Beetle | |
★ | 1 | Undamaged Speed ↑ | Excitebots: Trick Racing |
Games with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series
Excitebike
- Assist Trophy:
Excitebikes appears as an assist trophy.
- Trophies:
Excitebike appears as a trophy.- Excitebikes appears as a trophy.
Excitebike Racer appears as a trophy.
- Stickers:
- Excitebike appears as a sticker.
- Spirits:
Excitebike appears as a spirit.
Excite Truck
- Trophies:
- Boulder appears as a trophy.
- Stickers:
- Wolf, Firefly, Boulder and Rad appear as stickers.
- Music
- Excite Truck: Main theme taken directly from this game.
Excitebots: Trick Racing
- Spirits:
- Beetle appears as a spirit.
Mario Kart 8
- Music
- Excitebike: Remix of the Excitebike main theme, sourced directly from this game.
