Wipeout 3

Sony PlayStation PS1

Also Known As:
• Wip3out (EU, JP)

Wipeout 3 (known as Wip3out in Europe and Japan) is the fourth installment in the futuristic racing series, developed and published by Psygnosis exclusively for the PlayStation. It was released in Europe and North America in September 1999, with a European re-release, Wipeout 3: Special Edition, following in July 2000.

Set in the year 2116, players compete in the F7200 Anti-Gravity Race League. The core gameplay involves controlling high-speed anti-gravity craft and strategically using weapons to eliminate opponents.

For the game's aesthetic, Psygnosis enlisted design studio The Designers Republic. They created a minimalist color scheme and design for the menus and race tracks, which a Psygnosis staff member described as creating "a believable future." Wipeout 3 stood out as one of the few PlayStation titles to operate in a high-resolution mode, resulting in sharper graphics and visuals. The soundtrack, curated by DJ Sasha, features techno and electronica tracks with contributions from artists like Orbital and The Chemical Brothers.

Upon release, the game garnered positive reviews, with critics praising the graphics, music, and distinct minimalist design. However, common criticisms included its high difficulty, a perceived shortage of new content and courses, and a lack of innovative new game features. Despite the generally favorable critical reception, the game was a financial disappointment. Wipeout 3 was the final Wipeout title for the original PlayStation; the series continued on the PlayStation 2 with the release of Wipeout Fusion in 2002.