Hydro Thunder
Platforms: Dreamcast, N64, PlayStation
Version: Final
Brett "Nemesis" Franklin
E-Mail: thebeefycow@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/i_am_nemesis_99
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
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1. Introduction
2. Legal Stuff
3. Updates/Revision History
4. The H.T.R.A
5. Game Options
5.1: Game Contols
6. Tracks
7. The Boats
8. General Tips
9. Secrets
10. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
11. Credits
12. Contact Info
Hello, and welcome to my Hydro Thunder FAQ for the Dreamcast. I wrote this FAQ
for two reasons: A) I like this game a lot, because it's a lot of fun, and one
of the best racing games on the Dreamcast so far, and B) Because there were no
other Hydro Thunder FAQs on GameFAQS.com other than a few Arcade ones, but none
for the Dreamcast, so I wrote one. Hydro Thunder is an incredible arcade
conversion to the Dreamcast, and is one of the best games available for the
Dreamcast. It's really fun and addicting, and is a very solid purchase for any
gamer. I suggest you buy it immediatly, cause it's worth every penny.
GAME INFO:
- - - - -
Game: Hydro Thunder
Platform: Dreamcast
Price: $44.99-49.99
Available: Now
Also available on: Arcade, Nintendo 64 soon!
Players: 1-2
Number of Boats: 13 (including hidden ones)
Number of Tracks: 13
Better than WaveRace 64? Hell yeah!
Best Tip: Hit those boosters!
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If anyone finds it on any other site, please inform me ASAP.
Here's some backround info on Hydro Thunder (from the Manual):
--------------------------------------------------------------
So, you have your own boat you say? You've tapped out your bank account and
spent endless months building it out of state-of-art racing materials. You've
tuned the specialized motors, refined the hull-shape to perfection and won more
races than you can count. You're at the top of the international boat racing
game. Nobody comes close. You long for a challenge.
Then one day that challenge comes to you in the form of a sealed envelope with
no return address on it. Only the words Hydro Thunder Racing Association mark
the envelope. You open it. Inside, a single sheet of blue-paper, with your name
written upon it, simple states, "You have been chosen as a permanent member of
the H.T.R.A." Below, a map and date are printed. The next secret race location!
Now, you've certainly heard of the H.T.R.A. There is no signing up with these
guys. Nobody even knows who they are or on which water location they'll race
next. But if you're good enough and have what it takes to be one of them, don't
worry, they'll find you. This underground clan of adventurous racing renegades
doesn't let anything get in the way of their racing. No place is too sacred. No
time is too dark. No unexplored waterway is too dangerous. No guidelines. No
restrictions. No manners. No law. These guys are deadly serious and have only
one goal: Do anything to cross the finish the line first.
Controller Configuration: This option allows you to choose from two
different controller configurations.
VMU Screen: The VMU option allows you to either save your game, load
your game, or delete your game. You'll need to come here
a lot to save your game since there is no auto-save
feature in this game.
Jump Pack Screen: This option allows you to change the amount of force
that is used with the Jump Pack. It also lets you
different vibration controls like: Boost, Splash
Down, Boat Collision, and Terrian Collision.
Sound effects screen: This option is very basic and allows you to
change the volume of the sound effects and
the music.
********************
*********** 5.1: Game Controls **************
********************
L Trigger-------------Brake (Hold for reverse)
R Trigger-------------Accelerate
Analog stick/D-Pad----Steer boat
Start-----------------Pause game
Y---------------------Change camera view
A---------------------Use boost
X---------------------Not used
B---------------------Not used
There are 11 different tracks or courses in the game. 4 of them are hidden, and
only 3 of them are available from the start. These are the Easy tracks. The
other tracks are: 3 Medium tracks, 3 Hard tracks, and 4 Hidden ones. To unlock
the Medium tracks, you'll need to finish in 3rd place in all of the Easy tracks.
To unlock the Hard tracks, you'll need to finish in 2nd place in each of the
Medium tracks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
EASY TRACKS
~~~~~~~~~~~~
-------------
Thunder Park
-------------
A traditional H.T.R.A. circuit track. On a sunny day, Thunder Park offers a
competition-style hydroplane raceway loop. Try to find the hidden 9 second boost
on this track.
NOTE: When racing on a circuit track, each boost icon can only be picked up
once.
Strategy:
- - - - -
This track is a very simple and straighforward track to race on, since it's a
circuit track, and you'll do a few laps around this baby, so you'll get used to
this track fast.
--------------
Lost Islands:
--------------
Located somewhere in the South Pacific, the Lost Island track offers a fast-
paced trek through a volcanic island. Lush greenery, native villages, ancient
ruins, and numerous secrets await you!
Strategy:
- - - - -
This track is a very cool track, since it has a type of "Jurassic Park" feel to
it. You basically race along a river, and next to some tour boats. I haven't
found any shortcuts yet, but once I find some, I'll put them here:
When you come you to the fist waterfall go into it for a
nice shortcut and a boost. Second one, when you come out
of the first shortcut (one I just said) you'll see the big
arch and you'll see a clear spot of grass just in front of
the rock arch. Steer hard to your left and you'll enter a
cave full of boosts and a check point.
There's a waterfall that comes from halfway down a hillside on your left (look
for the rainbow). You can hydro-jump up this to a river on top of the hill.
You'll get a 9 sec boost for your trouble, but the jump is almost impossible to
make cleanly, so only do this for sight-seeing.
--------------
Arctic Circle
--------------
Gigantic ice formations and a variety of wildlife line this unique track. The
race starts near a fishing village high above sea level, continues in a river
that winds its way down a glacier, through water-carved ice tunnels until
finally dropping you to the ocean for the remainder of the race.
Strategy:
- - - - -
Arctic Circle is a pretty cool track, since there are a few cool shortcuts. One
of them is near the floating blocks of ice near the Polar Bears, where you can
turn left sharply to find a very narrow path with plenty of Boosts galore.
Another shortcut which is easy to find is towards the end of the track, where
there are penquins on some ice. Instead of turning RIGHT, turn LEFT (you can
even hit the penquins :) and you'll enter a dark cave. This cave has a ramp that
leads to a 9-Second boost, but you'll need to have your boosters turned on to
reach it. Right after you leave the ramp, you should be turning right, and
towards the finish line, so just keep the boosters on for the whole time.
At the start of the race you'll hit a ramp and get a
boost. To your left there's a house, you can use the roof
as a ramp and jump over a mountain. Later in the race
you'll see a big hole in a mountain, hydro jump into it
and you'll be way ahead of the others and most likely in
about 5th place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MEDIUM TRACKS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---------------
Greek Isles
---------------
The Greek Isles water track through both modern towns and ancient ruins,
providing one of the most visually stunning tracks available. This is a bright
and challenging track, highlighted by a downhill sliding finish.
Strategy:
- - - - -
Just when you meet with the police boat an jump to the
bottom there'll be a waterfall, steer to your left and go
into it. There's boosts in there too. Another is when you
enter the dark cave steer hard to your right and you'll
jump the waterfall and be rewarded with a nice 9 sec boost.
---------------
Lake Powell
---------------
Lake Powell, located in Utah, is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.
With its gigantic narrow canyon walls, 1000-year old Ansazi ruins and smooth
water, it is the perfect place for a high-speed super-boat race. Unfortunately,
the Utah State Police don't agree.
Strategy:
- - - - -
I only know one for know. After you enter the Indain ruins
there'll be a waterfall in front of you, go into it and
get the boosts.
As you approach the first turn, make a hard right turn, staying all the way to
the right -- there's a ramp that takes you up and over the arch to a 9 sec
boost.
--------------
The Far East
--------------
The Far East track, located on a river deep in the misty mountains of China,
offers a unique blend of challenging river racing and beautiful scenery. The
river drops from the mountains into small villages, ancient brick canals, and
even through palace motes.
Strategy:
- - - - -
The Far East: There's a two-step waterfall near the end of the course that takes
you into some tunnels. Hydro jump off the second of these to stay above ground.
You'll skid along the road through some villages and pass most or all of the
remaining boats. This is arguably the most effective shortcut in Hydro Thunder
(at least in the PSX version)
HARD TRACKS
~~~~~~~~~~~~
--------------
Ship Graveyard
--------------
This deserted atoll was once a productive military shipyard. Now, endless
numbers of forgotten, decript naval ships line the coast as far as the eye can
see, forming a maze-like water raceway in and out of hollow steel hulls. Rough
waves, shark-infested waters, stormy weather and the military police await you!
Strategy:
- - - - -
Ship Graveyard: On the second long straightaway, there are two barges parked on
the left, with enough space to squeeze between them -- a 9 sec boost is waiting
alongside the second barge. Later, just as the pursuit boat and its dock appear
on the left, you should see a waterfall dead ahead while the main track turns
right. Go into the waterfall for some easy 4 sec boosts. Hyrdro-jump up and into
the second waterfall (after the wrecked airplanes and the big jump) for a 4 and
a 9 sec boost. In the last tunnel (under the lighthouse), there's a wrecked boat
on the right side of the hard left turn -- a 9 sec boost is behind the boat, but
it will usually cost you more to get than you can make up by using it.
-------------
Venice Canals
-------------
Ah, Venice. One thinks of lovers, romance and of course the ear-piercing roar of
sixteen super-boat motors tearing through the moonlit canals! With its extremely
sharp turning that never lets up, Venice Canals is arguably the most difficult
track in Hydro Thunder.
Strategy:
- - - - -
At the bgining of the race get the boost. You'll see a
fence to your right before the first turn head straight at
the fence and go through. It's not super helpfull. As soon
as you pass the first checkpoint keep heading straight,
you'll see an opening to the right of a turn sign at the
very corner go into it for a boost. At the big hairpin
turn, instead of turning be sure you have a bost and jump
over and save ALOT of time. Right after that you'll meet
the police boat after the fist turn you'll notice a gap
between 2 buildings with a 9 sec boosts in it to your
left, turn into it and get that boost.
Venice Canals: Save a little time by hydro jumping the first chicane (that bump
of land on the left that forces you right and then back left again). I haven't
done much on this track.
--------------------
New York Disaster
--------------------
A giant meteor has destroyed the Big Apple an dflooded its crowded streets.
Sounds like a fun race, huh? Tear through the remains of the late city, avoiding
the N.Y.P.D. and the countless submerged vehicles along the way, until you come
crashing down to a tragic finish.
Strategy:
- - - - -
New York Disaster: In the first tunnel, there's a shortcut to the left of the
blue boost. Look for the walls with the "checkered flag" pattern. This takes you
into a "dog leg"-shaped pair of rooms, the second of which has a floating 9 sec
boost that's very hard to get, because there's a big overhang right after it --
jump too high and you'll come to a dead stop. The trick is to just start your
hydro jump as you go under the boost, so you get the boost and not the wall, or
do just do a very shallow jump. Later, in the subway tunnels, after the lines
split, you can hydro jump over the subway stand from one line to the other,
picking up a 9 sec boost along the way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BONUS TRACKS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---------------
Nile Adventure
---------------
Race through the pyramids and narrow waterways. This track features danger at
every turn. The longest track in Hydro Thunder, Nile Adventure is also perhaps
the hardest.
Strategy:
- - - - -
...
---------------
Hydro Speedway
---------------
Set at night, Hydro Speedway is the second bonus circuit track in the game. With
fast-paced excitement and boost icons at every turn, Hydro Speedway will test
even the best racer.
Strategy:
- - - - -
...
------------
Catacombs
------------
Go full throttle through a mysterious cavern filled with crashed ships, sharp
rocks, and of course, the competition. Turn and Hydro Jump your way to victory,
if you can.
Strategy:
- - - - -
...
-----------------
Castle Von Dandy
-----------------
Journey to Scotland and take a watery romp though an abandoned castle. Steer
around the moat and ancient graveyard to victory!
-------------------
Damn the Torpedoes
-------------------
Damn the Torpedoes is an ok boat to use. I suppose it might be good for
beginners to use, since I used it when I first started. It's kinda slow, but it
looks cool, so that makes it worth a try.
Rating: ***/*****
-------------
Midway
-------------
One of the better Easy boats to use, since it's faster than Damn the Torpedoes.
It doesn't get flipped over as much as Damn the Torpedoes, so that's a plus. I
like it because it's pretty fast, and looks cool.
Rating: ***/*****
------------------
Miss Behave
------------------
Miss Behave is the best Easy Boat. It's the best because it's smaller so it can
turn better, it's faster with better acceleration than the other two boats, and
boosts pretty fast. Once you got the boost on, prepare for a ride, since it goes
REALLY fast. The best Easy boat, and great for beginners too.
- Find the shortcuts! Once you've found a shortcut, the game will usually give
you a bonus 4-Second Boost, and the shortcut will provide a lot of extra Boosts
along the way. Oh yeah, the shortcuts also cut the amount of time it takes to go
around the course...
- Aim high! To reach those hard to get Boosts like the 9-Second ones, you'll
need to use the Hydro Jump. To perform the Hydro Jump, quickly tap the L Trigger
(brake), then tap A (boost). You'll need to let off the gas to do this. Doing
this will cause your boat to jump into the air, and will give you that extra
power to reach high places...
- Use the boosts at the right times! Once you've collected enought time Boosts
(4 and 9 second ones are available along the track), you should use them to
speed ahead of the pack, and secure your victory. You can use your Boosters when
the announcer tells you to, or just whenver you feel the time is right to do so.
Just make sure you DO NOT use the boosters unless you have enough time racked
up, or you'll run out way too fast. :(
- Use the Hydro Jump on some ramps. Using the Hydro Jump on some ramps will
cause your to reach EXTREME heights, and will elevate you to some hidden areas
and items like 9-Second boosts.
- Collect those Boosts! There are two types of boosts to collect along the
track: Blue Boosts (4-Seconds) and Red Boosts (9-Seconds). These represent the
amount of time you get to use your Boosters. For example, if you grab a 4-Second
Boost, you'll have 4-seconds worth of juice in your boosters. Collect as many as
you can to rack up the time, and to have the ability to use your boosters for
the majority of th race, and smoke the competition.
- Look in the Caves and Waterfalls for the shortcuts. These are the places with
the most hidden areas, so be aware of them. They could help you in a jam...
- Collect as many 9-Second Boosts as possible. This one basically explains
itself. :)
- Keep an eye on your Boost gauge. This will show you how much boost fuel and
time are left in your boosters, so watch it in case it runs low.
- Use the Boost Start to get ahead of the pack. To do this, once the announcer
says "three", press and hold the R Trigger. Once he says "two", let go of R and
press L. Once he says "one", let go of L and press R again. You should now get a
Super Boost.
Boost Start- Once the announcer says "three", press and hold the R
Trigger. Once he says "two", let go of R and press L. Once
he says "one", let go of L and press R again. You should
now get a Super Boost.
Hydro Jump- To perform the Hydro Jump, quickly tap the L Trigger
(brake), then tap A (boost). You'll need to let off the gas
to do this. Doing this will cause your boat to jump into
the air, and will give you that extra power to reach high
places.
Unlock ALL TRACKS- Place in the top 5 times for a race, then enter the
intials "?PB". This unlocks all tracks and boats
in the game.
A: Good question, since I asked myself this same question. Well,
yes, it is, since it's virtually arcade perfect in everyway, and
is extremely fun to play.
4) Q: Is Hydro Thunder like the arcade game?
A: It's exactly like the arcade game.
5) Q: Is it arcade perfect?
A: Almost. Some of the graphics have been toned down, but barely.
6) Q: Is Hydro Thunder the best racing game on the Dreamcast?
A: Yes it is. Sega Rally is a very close second though. :)
7) Q: What's the difference between the arcade version and the
Dreamcast one?
A: I couldn't tell you, since the differences are so minute. Barely
ANY differences at all.
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Shameless Self-Promotion: Other FAQs by me:
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PLAYSTATION:
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