Wipeout XL

About

Wipeout XL is a high-speed racing game where players pilot anti-gravity ships through futuristic tracks. Set in 2097, it ups the ante from earlier entries with faster vehicles and more aggressive competition. During races, drivers collect weapons to disrupt opponents, balancing speed with strategic attacks. The single-player mode focuses on climbing leaderboards through a mix of skill and chaos. Tracks feature tight corners and long straights, demanding precise control. The game originally launched in 1996 on multiple platforms including PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and PC. The Saturn version allowed analog control via an optional 3D Control Pad while PlayStation players used the Negcon twist controller. Despite its age, the game’s blend of speed and combat remains memorable. With a 74% on Metacritic, it’s seen as a solid entry in the Wipeout series. Fans of fast-paced, weaponized racing might appreciate its raw energy. The 1990s release date and varied hardware support highlight its era’s experimental approach to control schemes and multiplatform design.

Storyline

Whereas the original game introduced the F3600 anti-gravity racing league in the year 2052, Wipeout 2097 is set over four decades later and introduces the player to the much faster, more competitive, and more dangerous F5000 AG racing league. The game is set exactly 101 years after the actual release year of the game (100 in the Saturn port's case). The Sega Saturn version supported analog control by using the optional 3D Control Pad, whereas the PlayStation version supported analog control by using the optional Negcon twist controller (as on debut release of the series).