WipEout Games: A Complete Guide to the Futuristic Racing Series

If you are attracted to impossible races and others race games, the futuristic aesthetics and the electronic soundtracks that mark the rhythm, the saga Wipeout is your home. Since 1995, this The universe of anti-gravity ships has defined the speed arcade with an unmistakable visual identity. and a unique musical pulse, always under the umbrella of Sony and its historic Studio Liverpool (formerly Psygnosis).

In this special we gather everything you need: a Complete timeline, key game modes and mechanics, development details, and trivia, as well as how critics rated each installment. You'll also find out the difference between the racing series of Wipeout and products based on the Wipeout game show, so there's no confusion when searching for your games.

WipEout: What it is and why it marked an era

Born in the United Kingdom in 1995 by Psygnosis, the excess Wipeout He opted for races on impossible circuits with Antigravity ships, extreme speeds, and aesthetics close to cyberpunkIts hallmark is also its avant-garde graphic design—the work of The Designers Republic studio in its early stages—and its close relationship with electronic dance music: techno, trance, and other variations.

The brand has spanned multiple platforms, from PlayStation and PCs with MS-DOS and Windows to Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64, and later deliveries on PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita and PS4. In fact, there is talk of a total close to a dozen releases and compilations, with a presence even on iPhone and Android within the franchise's orbit. In Germany, certain installments have been classified USK 6, underscoring its all-audience focus with high-octane excitement.

Beyond its image, Wipeout It built its reputation on precise control, a challenging but fair level of difficulty, and progression that rewards skill. This cemented its reputation as one of the big names in arcade racing on Sony consoles and related systems, becoming synonymous with 3D technology upon the arrival of the first PlayStation.

Gameplay, weapons and modes: what it feels like to pilot

The essence of Wipeout It is based on the sensation of sustained speed with fine control of our device. We pilot ships of different teams with their own statistics: handling, thrust, top speed, shield resistance and even firepower in some installments, which alters each pilot's style.

The tracks are dotted with X-shaped platforms for collecting power-ups and chevron-shaped pads that give us a momentary speed boost. Weaponry is divided between offensive options (missiles, mines, rockets, machine guns) and defensive tools (shields, autopilot, turbo), creating a tactical layer that adds depth to each turn.

Each ship is equipped with a shield that absorbs damage; if we run out of that energy and continue to take hits or brush against walls, the device explodes and we're out of the race. Risk management is key, especially on circuits with angled curves, loops and steep drops that test reflexes and muscle memory.

In campaign mode, the series combines single-player events, time trials, and tournaments. Over time, variants with their own unique identity were added, which are now a hallmark of the franchise, reinforcing the replayability and learning curve.

• standard runs: Compete against several rivals and aim for gold for podium position; silver and bronze for second and third, respectively.
• Tournaments: Blocks of 4 or 8 races with a cumulative points system; the winner is the team with the most points at the end of the championship.
• Time trial and fast laps: Go for the best overall time or a perfect lap; these are pure tests of track and turbo control.
• Areas: present since Fusion, automatically pushes you at increasing speeds until the ship can't take any more; it's a battle of survival at ultra-speed.
• Eliminator: introduced in wipeout 3, score by damaging opponents and completing laps, shifting the focus towards combat.
• Fighting: variant seen in 2048, where recovering energy requires absorbing objects instead of waiting for the next turn.

Timeline and releases: from PlayStation to PS4

The series has evolved with each hardware release, maintaining its DNA. Below is a table of key titles, year and original platforms, as well as highlights to help you place each installment within the series and understand its relevance. technological and design progression.

Game	Year	base platform	Other versions	Note
Wipeout	1995	PlayStation and PC (MS-DOS)	Sega Saturn; later PSN for PS3 and PSP	The origin of the saga
wipeout 2097 / Wipeout	1996	PlayStation	Windows, Sega Saturn, Amiga/Mac OS	Direct sequel, huge critical impact
wipeout 64	1998	Nintendo 64	-	Only title in the series on the Nintendo console
wipeout 3 y Wipeout 3 Special Edition	1999-2000	PlayStation	Enhanced European Edition	F7200, advances in analog control
Wipeout Fusion	2002	PlayStation 2	-	F9000, ambition and controversial reception
Wipeout Pure	2005	PSP	-	First portable, inaugurated DLC in the series
Wipeout Pulse	2007	PSP	PS2 (Europe, 2009)	Improvements based on player feedback
Wipeout HD + fury	2008-2009	PS3 (PSN)	Physical edition in Europe	1080p and 60 fps as a technical seal
wipeout 2048	2012	PS Vita	-	Prequel, hardware test bench
Wipeout Omega Collection	2017	PS4	-	4K/HDR Remaster of HD, fury y 2048

Aside from this chronology, The brand has come to be known as a franchise with a global presence in multiple systemsIncluding MS-DOS, Windows, Saturn, N64 and the entire PlayStation ecosystem from PS One to PS4.

From Wipeout to Omega Collection: Highlights in Detail

• Wipeout (1995) It places us in the F3600 championship set in 2052. It was a launch title in Europe and North America for the original PlayStation, and also debuted on PC (MS-DOS) and later on Saturn. Its soundtrack brought together names such as CoLD SToRAGE, Leftfield, The Chemical Brothers and Orbital, raising the bar for the use of licensed music in video gamesAn early version of the game appeared in the film Hackers, driving Sony's interest in acquiring the studio.
• wipeout 2097 (1996), known as Wipeout In North America, it moved the action to the F5000. It was presented at E3 in pre-alpha format and, outside of PlayStation, featured music produced internally by CoLD SToRAGE. In the eyes of the press and aggregators, it is among the highest rated in the series, with lasting recognition in historical listings on the PS One platform.
• wipeout 64 (1998) It was the only Nintendo 64 exclusive release, set after the events of 2097. He reused layouts from previous installments with altered designs and new locations, and proved that the formula could shine outside of the Sony ecosystem.
• wipeout 3 (1999) —and his special Edition out of 2000 in Europe—elevated the license with the F7200 league, in addition to polishing the physics and taking advantage of the PlayStation analog sticks for finer control. The Designers Republic rebuilt its visual identity, and the musical ensemble included Propellerheads, with the musical direction by DJ Sasha, and the return of The Chemical Brothers and Orbital.
• Wipeout Fusion (2002) marked the jump to PS2 and the F9000, with a more aggressive tone, aimed at a more mature audience and seeking to differentiate itself from F-ZeroDespite his ambitions, he received mixed opinions in terms of visuals and gameplay, with critics calling it a first-generation PS2 title, although others praised its progress compared to its predecessors.
• Wipeout Pure (2005) accompanied the PSP at its launch and takes place on the FX300, 100 years after 2097Its development introduced internal 3D interface and production tools to speed up deadlines, and was the first WipEout with downloadable content, something that opened new avenues for supporting the study.
• Wipeout Pulse (2007), a year after PURE, arrived on PSP and later on PS2 (Europe, 2009) with all the DLC included. Set on the FX400, it incorporated changes resulting from community feedback, which requested adjusting the difficulty. Its soundtrack brought together Kraftwerk, DJ Fresh and Skream, among others, keeping the sound bar very high.
• Wipeout HD (2008) was a pioneer on PlayStation Network, achieving 1080p at 60 fps and integrating traces of PURE y Press. Its expansion fury (2009) added substantial content. There was controversy over embedded advertising, which was removed after complaints about loading times; however, it is considered visual reference of the saga on PS3 and was part of the Welcome Back program offerings after the fall of PSN in 2011.
• wipeout 2048 (2012), Studio Liverpool's last development before its closure, was released with the PS Vita and acted as a testbed for the portable hardware. The team collaborated with Sony on design ideas for the device, such as the touch screen and dual stick, and the installment works as a prequel that links to the origin of the series.
• Wipeout Omega Collection (2017) on PS4 remastered HD, fury y 2048 with 1080p on PS4 and 4K on PS4 Pro, always at 60 fps, by Clever Beans, EPOS Game Studios and XDev. It brings 26 reversible circuits, 46 ships, 9 modes, 8-player online racing and 2-player split-screen, an extra ship, and a soundtrack featuring Swedish House Mafia, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, and DJ Kentaro, plus PS4 Pro enhancements.

Development and legacy of Studio Liverpool

The conception of Wipeout It literally arose in a pub: Jim Bowers and Nick Burcombe imagined a futuristic racing game inspired by anti-gravity vehicles.Part of the visual and mechanical ideas were fed by previous experiences such as powerdrome y Matrix Marauders, and the name of the saga itself is associated with the instrumental piece Wipe Out by The Surfaris.

La presence of the prototype of Wipeout in the film Hackers caught Sony's attention, that ended up buying Psygnosis in 1995From there, the collaboration with The Designers Republic defined icons, signage and palettes that made the look of the first releases unique. With wipeout 3, in addition, the analog sticks were squeezed, and HD Zone mode had to be redesigned due to epilepsy tests, delaying the launch.

Studio Liverpool closed on 8 August 2012. At that time, A future title in the series for PS4 was in the works, with between 12 and 18 months of development behind it.. Even so, The legacy lived on with the Omega Collection, which consolidated PS3 and Vita material with a finish that was on par with current hardware.

Critical reception and ratings

The series has enjoyed great prestige over time for the combination of speed, technical section and its selection of electronics. For many media, 2097/XL is the zenith brandWhile 2048 was the least valued, although it maintains a notable overall and a visual section considered a showcase of PS Vita.

Videogame	Game Rankings	Metacritic
Wipeout	90%	-
wipeout 2097	95%	93%
wipeout 64	86%	84%
wipeout 3	87%	89%
Wipeout Fusion	84%	83%
Wipeout Pure	88%	88%
Wipeout Pulse	84%	82%
Wipeout HD	91%	89%
wipeout 2048	80%	79%
Wipeout Omega Collection	87%	85%

Wipeout HD y fury They received significant nominations, such as achievements in sound design, and their visual representation at 1080p and 60 fps was always highlighted. In turn, first Wipeout It was seen as a standard-bearer for 3D on consoles and helped bring visibility to the British underground techno scene. thanks to its careful musical curation.

Platforms, technology and classification

The franchise covers a wide list of systems: PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, MS-DOS, Windows, PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita and PS4The technical hallmark of the saga has always been to aim for the native resolution of each console, with special emphasis on 1080p and 60 fps on PS3 and PS4, and an engine capable of transmitting the sensation of inertia and friction typical of the antigravity engines.

In terms of age classification, there are references to categories such as USK 6 in German territory, although The difficulty requirement means that mastery of the game requires practice, reflexes and good management of defensive and offensive resources..

The community weighs in: difficulty, control, and favorites

Among veteran players there is consensus that the series can become an uphill struggle: There are those who, when facing Omega Collection, considers that the middle section of certain championships becomes very hard even on easyOthers point out that they found the best driving feel in PURE, that Fusion is the weakest and the visual ceiling is in HD FuryAll of this underscores that choosing a personal favorite depends on whether you prioritize a sense of control, a learning curve, or aesthetic impact.

At the same time, the variety of modes—from Zone to Eliminator—spreads the emphasis between pure piloting and combatThis duality explains why the metagame and skill to absorb items, manage turbo and choose ship according to circuit They are so crucial in lap times and consistency in tournaments.

The classic confusion between the racing game and the Gymkhana game

When searching for Wipeout, products linked to it also appear. TV contest: There is a series with a presence on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS with about five titles since 2010. In addition, there are mobile and PC games focused on obstacle courses, with generic descriptions of reflexes, timing and infinite levels.

these pitches They share a name but not DNA with Wipeout: In the contest you pilot avatars that jump and avoid traps in a humorous way, while in the Sony saga we talk about antigravity ships, high-speed tracks and electronic music as a backbone. It is worth noting the use of the style with an intercalated capital letter —wipEout— to identify the futuristic racing series.

A memorable game that has inspired the gaming community

There is a reference to an official historical site of the saga that today appears as an archived link, and to the general information of Wipeout on MobyGames as a database. In the sphere of inspiration and related topics, it is worth mentioning F-Zero as a sister series in antigravity racing with which Wipeout has been in dialogue for decades, both in rhythm and in design philosophy.

From its first sketch to its consolidation, the series has gone through key moments: collaboration with The Designers Republic, integration of temporary advertising in HD Fury and its subsequent withdrawal, and the closure of Studio Liverpool. Despite everything, The brand remains alive in the collective memory thanks to its unique aesthetics, iconic sound and demand at the wheel.

After decades of impossible tracks, weapons and dizzying speed zones, Wipeout remains a benchmark that blends precision, electronic music and signature graphic design; whether you prefer the portable purity of PURE, the historical thrust of 2097 or the finish of Omega Collection, The saga offers a complete tour of the evolution of the futuristic arcade on consoles.