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{{Short description|1997 action game}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| title     = Blast Corps
| image     = Blast Corps Coverart.png
| caption   = North American box art
| alt       = Nintendo 64 box art with red-colored duotone overlay along the right side of the box. The console logo in the upper right, with an indication that the game is exclusive to the console, and the ESRB content rating in the lower right. The Blast Corps logo is in the upper left: a diagonal "Blast" in red, capital letters, atop a yellow and black "toxic" symbol. The Rareware yellow and blue logo resembling the curve of the letter "R" is in the bottom left. The horizon of the background is slanted to the right: a trump truck is slamming into a building, a fiery explosion extends from the collision site, a polygonal humanoid figure hovers above the dump truck, and a red fire engine-like vehicle with two cylinders mounted atop approaches from the right.
| developer = [[Rare (company)|Rare]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director  = {{Plainlist|
* Paul Mountain
* George Andreas
}}
| producer  = {{Plainlist|
* [[Chris Stamper]]
* [[Tim Stamper]]
}}
| designer  = Martin Wakeley
| artist    = Ricky Berwick
| composer  = [[Graeme Norgate]]{{r|Polygon: Graeme}}
| platforms = [[Nintendo 64]]
| released  = {{Video game release|JP|{{Start date|1997|03|21}}|NA|{{Start date|1997|03|24}}|PAL|{{Start date|1997|12|22}}}}
| genre     = [[Action game|Action]], [[puzzle video game|puzzle]]
| modes     = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Blast Corps''''' is an [[action game]] developed by [[Rare (company)|Rare]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo 64]]. The player uses vehicles to destroy buildings in the path of a runaway [[nuclear missile]] carrier. In the game's 57 [[Level (video gaming)|levels]], the player solves puzzles by transferring between vehicles to move objects and bridge gaps. It was released in March 1997 in Japan and North America. A wider release followed at the end of that year.

The game was Rare's first game for the Nintendo 64. Its development team ranged between four and seven members, many of whom were recent graduates. The team sought to find [[gameplay]] to fit Rare co-founder [[Chris Stamper]]'s idea for a [[Building demolition|building destruction]] game. The puzzle [[game mechanics]] were inspired by those of ''[[Donkey Kong (1994 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1994).

''Blast Corps'' was released to critical acclaim and received [[Metacritic]]'s second highest Nintendo 64 game ratings of 1997. The game sold one million copies {{emdash}} lower than the team's expectations {{emdash}} and received several editor's choice awards. Reviewers praised its originality, variety, and graphics, but some criticized its controls and repetition. Reviewers of Rare's 2015 ''[[Rare Replay]]'' retrospective compilation noted ''Blast Corps'' as a standout title.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:blastcorps.png|right|thumb|alt=An industrial field with dirty grass and patches of dirt. A bulldozer is centered in the screenshot, traveling to the upper left towards railroad tracks and a bush. Nearby are lights along a road, both lit and unlit. Close behind is a red fire engine-like vehicle with two cylinders mounted atop, along its length. In the bottom left of the heads up display is a green radar circle showing obstacles in the upper left, and alongside the radar, a yellow arrow pointing to the upper left, indicating the location of the next structure in the red carrier truck's path. In the upper right of the heads up display is the number zero, preceded by a dollar sign, indicating that no damage to property has been scored.|Screenshot of gameplay in which the player uses a bulldozer to clear a path for the carrier. Radar and an arrow in the lower-left corner show the proximity of objects in the carrier's way.]]

''Blast Corps'' is a [[single-player]] [[action video game]]. The player controls vehicles to destroy buildings, such as farms and other structures, in the path of a runaway nuclear missile carrier. The player fails if the carrier collides with an object. The eight demolition vehicles vary in the way they clear structures: the bulldozer rams, the dump truck [[drifting (motorsport)|drifts]], the lightweight [[Dune buggy|buggy]] crashes from higher ground, the motorcycle shoots missiles, another truck presses outwards from its sides, and three different robot [[mecha|mechs]] tumble and stomp from the land and the air. The player must transfer between vehicles and other machinery to solve puzzles. Objectives include transporting timed explosive crates and bridging gaps. The game's puzzles increase in [[difficulty level|difficulty]]{{r|IGN review}} as the player progresses through its 57 [[Level (video gaming)|levels]].{{r|NP 95}}

The world is portrayed from a three-quarters [[overhead view]]. The player can adjust the game's viewable perspective with zoom and horizontal [[panning (camera)|panning]] functions.{{r|IGN review}} Pop-up hints will guide the player in the early stages of the game,{{r|NP 95}} and [[non-player character|other characters]] audibly encourage the player as each level wears on. The cheery soundtrack increases in tempo as the level's timer runs low.{{r|IGN review}} After completing a level, the player can return to explore without a time limit.{{r|dev 86}} By destroying any remaining structures, finding secrets, and activating lights throughout the level, the player raises their score and final medal ranking. Activating hidden communication points in each level will unlock various secret levels, where the player completes objectives against the clock, such as completing laps on a circuit or smashing specific objects. The player can compete against a [[ghost (video gaming)|ghost]] copy of their previous path through a level.{{r|IGN review}} Completing every stage unlocks a [[Time trial#Video games|time attack]] mode, in which players are awarded medals for clearing the carrier's path in the fastest time.{{r|dev 86}} Earning every gold medal in the game will unlock a set of more difficult time attack goals for each level, for which players can earn platinum medals.<ref>{{cite web | title=N-Query | website=IGN | date=1997-05-23 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/23/n-query-30 | access-date=2024-11-04}}</ref> There are no settings to change the game's difficulty, and the [[saved game|game saves]] to both the [[game cartridge]] itself and [[Controller Pak|external storage]].{{r|IGN review}}

== Development ==
{{Quote box|quote=If you knock down buildings, it will be fun. |source=Rare founder Chris Stamper famously gave ''Blast Corps'' its ''{{Wikt-lang|ang|raison d'être}}''.{{r|dev 86}} |width=23em |quoted=1}}

''Blast Corps'' was among [[Rare (company)|Rare]]'s first games for the [[Nintendo 64]] and led a run of seven critically acclaimed Rare titles for the console.{{r|dev 86}} The game's production began in 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=171 |date=February 1996 |page=19 |title=Nintendo Ultra 64: Rare |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_171_1996-02_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n18/mode/1up }}</ref> The development team consisted of four recent graduates, though it expanded at times to seven concurrent staff. Martin Wakeley became the game's lead [[game design|designer]]. He credited the team's small size for their easy progression from planning to market. Rare founder [[Chris Stamper]] was the impetus for the project. He had wanted to make a game about destroying buildings for years prior to ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} development. The team worked to fit his idea to a gameplay concept and devised a "Constantly Moving Object" conceit that would give the levels a time limit. This idea became the nuclear missile carrier.{{r|dev 86}}

[[File:N64-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The Nintendo 64 controller is light gray controller with three handles for the player's two hands. It has red, green, blue, and yellow buttons, an analog stick, and a directional pad. The controller is plugged into the charcoal gray Nintendo 64 with a light gray cartridge inserted. The sleek console is convex on its top, and has two power switches and four controller ports.|''Blast Corps'' led a set of seven critically acclaimed Rare titles developed for the Nintendo 64.]]

''Retro Gamer'' credited Wakeley for ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} idiosyncratic ideas and humor in light of the game's serious premise.{{r|dev 86}} For instance, the ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' "power slide" drift mechanics inspired that of ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} dump truck. Wakeley championed the drift controls against the rest of the team, who found them aggravating. The game's lead artist, Ricky Berwick, had developed the vehicle concepts without consideration for their in-game function, and the vehicles were only later retrofitted to the gameplay. One of the robot vehicles was designed without an arm because the developers had run out of computer memory to store the data and liked the look anyway.{{r|dev 86}} Wakeley determined the game's [[high score]] "goal medal" objectives, in which players would attempt to better a set completion time on each level. ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} Japanese and American [[quality assurance]] teams later competed to push the levels to their limits, which resulted in the game's platinum level objectives. Wakeley described these platinum challenges as "just insane" and said he could only finish four himself.{{r|dev 86}}

Wakeley saw ''Blast Corps'' as a [[puzzle game]] at its core. He was influenced by the 1994 ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'', in which the player begins each level with all the tools they need to finish but must learn how to use them. Wakeley said this was ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} core [[game mechanic]]. The ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' demo at [[Nintendo Space World|Nintendo's annual trade show]] in 1995 helped Wakeley envision how a true 3D world worked with the controller's 3D [[analog stick]].{{r|dev 86}} The team's technical accomplishments included character and environment models composed completely of polygons and the absence of [[distance fog]] to obscure the [[draw distance]].{{r|IGN review}}

[[Nintendo]] published ''Blast Corps'' for their Nintendo 64.{{r|IGN review}} In its 1995 trade show preview, it was originally titled ''Blast Dozer'', a name it retained for its Japanese release.{{r|CVG 189 rev}} (The team had considered other titles, including "Heavy Duty Heroes", "Blast Radius", and "Power Dozer".<ref>{{cite tweet |user=RareLtd |number=706826771350495237 |date=March 6, 2016 |title=Blast Corps had many names including Heavy Duty Heroes, Blast Radius, Power Dozer and (its Japanese title) BlastDozer #FunFactsAboutNamesDay |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6i1C74zZd?url=https://twitter.com/RareLtd/status/706826771350495237 |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>) ''Blast Corps'' was first released in Japan on March 21, 1997, and in North America three days later. Its European and Australian release followed on December 22.{{r|IGN review}} The game had been in production for just over a year.{{r|dev 86}} To promote the game, a three-part comic detailing the game's story was published in ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' issues #97–99,<ref>{{Cite magazine |number=97 |date=June 1997 |title=Blast Corps Episode One: Juggernaut |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |page=56 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |number=98 |date=July 1997 |title=Blast Corps Episode Two: The Gathering Storm |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |page=72 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |number=99 |date=August 1997 |title=Blast Corps Episode Three: Big Bang Theory |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |page=58 }}</ref> later released as a graphic novel by [[Dark Horse Comics]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/97-400/Blast-Corps | title=Blast Corps :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics }}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 90% (12 reviews){{r|Metacritic}}
| Allgame = 4/5<ref name="allgame">{{cite web |work=[[AllGame]] |first=Scott |last=McCall |access-date=May 2, 2016 |title=Blast Corps – Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=967&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211103814/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=967&tab=review |archive-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref>
| CVG = 4/5{{r|CVG 189 rev}}
| EGM = 35/40{{r|EGM 94}}
| GSpot = 8.4/10<ref name=GSrev>{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Trent |title=Blast Corps Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blast-corps-review/1900-2544167/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=December 1, 2018 |date=April 28, 2000 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202024622/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blast-corps-review/1900-2544167/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10{{r|IGN review}}
| N64 = 88% (JP)<ref name="N64magJP">{{cite magazine |title=Blast Corps |date=May 1997 |issue=2 |pages=44–51 |last=Nash |first=Jonathan |magazine=N64 Magazine}}</ref><br /> 88% (US<!--N64 Magazine were unable to obtain a PAL version in time for their review deadline, and used a USA copy instead{{r|N64magUS}}-->)<ref name="N64magUS">{{cite magazine |title=Blast Corps |date=August 1997 |issue=5 |pages=36–47 |last=Smith |first=Jon |magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]}}</ref>
| NGen = 4/5<ref name=NGen31>{{cite magazine |title=Smashing |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=31 |date=July 1997 |page=157}}</ref>
}}

The game received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]],{{r|Metacritic}} and "unanimous critical success", according to ''[[Retro Gamer]]''.{{r|dev 86}} Reviewers highly praised the novelty and variety of ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} gameplay.{{r|IGN review|GSrev|NP 95|CVG 189 rev|EGM 94|NGen31|1001 Must Play}}<ref name=GProrev>{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo 64 ProReview: Blast Corps |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=104 |date=May 1997 |page=76}}</ref> [[Peer Schneider]] of ''[[IGN]]'', in particular, lauded the game's originality.{{r|IGN review}} Trent Ward commented in ''[[GameSpot]]'' that the premise taps into childhood fantasies, while "the unique relationship between the terrain and the vehicles you pilot ensures that ''Blast Corps'' will exercise your mind as well as your reflexes".{{r|GSrev}}

<!--controls & design-->Reviewers struggled to master the game's controls.{{r|IGN review|NP 95|EGM 94}} ''[[GamePro]]''{{'}}s Slo Mo praised this aspect of the game, saying that even mastering the extreme precision of the steering is fun, and rewards the player with both better gameplay technique and an appreciation for the strong distinction between the game's many vehicles.{{r|GProrev}} Schneider likewise overcame his initial concerns to appreciate the complexity of the controls and the differences between the vehicles. He considered the locked camera view restrictive when compared to the unrestricted 3D camera in the game's contemporaries. Schneider thought the game should have been longer, with fewer bonus levels and more main missions, though he did appreciate the pacing, design, and difficulty of the included levels.{{r|IGN review}} Slo Mo instead asserted that "Over 60 levels and hidden areas within hidden areas give you your money's worth".{{r|GProrev}} A ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' critic agreed, asserting that the vast size of the levels and numerous secrets and bonus areas make ''Blast Corps'' "one of the few Nintendo 64 games that justifies its exorbitant price tag".{{r|NGen31}} Shawn Smith and Sushi-X of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (''EGM'') thought the game was repetitive,{{r|EGM 94}} as did ''Computer and Video Games''. The latter, though, praised ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} level design and difficulty progression.{{r|CVG 189 rev}} Ward had fewer reservations, writing that "basically what you have here is a game with great graphics, great sound, and a great premise. What's even more impressive is that the game doesn't really have any substantial flaws to speak of – unless you want to count lack of a two-player mode, which really isn't fair."{{r|GSrev}} Crispin Boyer of ''EGM'' wrote that the game's best feature was its "palpable sense of suspense" as the carrier advanced on resistant buildings.{{r|EGM 94}}

<!--graphics-->Critics praised the game's graphics and sound.{{r|IGN review|GSrev|NP 95|EGM 94|NGen31|Guardian|GProrev}} Schneider found the game unpretentious in comparison to video game trends of [[photorealistic rendering]] and cartoonish art. He likened the slick vehicle animations and metallic elements to ''[[Micro Machines (video game series)|Micro Machines]]'' and Rare's ''[[R.C. Pro-Am]]''. Schneider praised the game's [[texture maps]], which made the night scenes and houses look realistic, and the canyons breathtaking. He wrote that the game's 3D programming was errorless, and was particularly pleased about the game's lack of fog, usually used to cover developer limitations.{{r|IGN review}} ''EGM'' echoed Schneider's praise of the deep landscapes, which Boyer called "incredible".{{r|EGM 94}} Scott McCall (''[[AllGame]]'') praised the game's realistic polygonal models and technical prowess,{{r|allgame}} and Steve Polak (''[[The Weekend Australian]]'') wrote that ''Blast Corps'' showcased the console's graphics capabilities.{{r|Australian}} <!--sound-->Schneider described the soundtrack as between "70s pop, [[disaster movie]] score, and [[Country Bear Jamboree]]". He praised the range of engine, tire screeching, and crashing sound effects.{{r|IGN review}} Reviewers disliked the [[country music]] tracks with [[jaw harp]].{{r|IGN review|EGM 94}}

<!--comparison-->''IGN'' wrote that ''Blast Corps'' exemplified qualities of enjoyable [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[arcade game|arcade]] games,{{r|IGN review}} while ''EGM'' considered the game unlike all others.{{r|EGM 94}} ''Retro Gamer'' wrote that the game's combination of puzzles and continuous destruction made the game so unique as to defy genre classification. The magazine described the gameplay concept of returning to explore without a time limit as "a stroke of genius".{{r|dev 86}} ''Retro Gamer'' thought of ''Blast Corps'' as a 3D successor to "nail-biting reaction games" such as ''[[Loco-Motion (video game)|Loco-Motion]]''.{{r|Retro Glimpse}} ''Computer and Video Games'' agreed with a reader that ''Blast Corps'' was part of a "Destroy" subgenre including games like ''[[Desert Strike]]'', ''[[Return Fire]]'', and ''[[Body Harvest]]'',{{r|CVG 188}} and Matt Fox of ''The Video Games Guide'' put the game in a lineage with ''[[Highway Encounter]]'' and ''[[Lunar Jetman]]''.{{r|Fox}} Slo Mo said it was "like ''[[Pilotwings (series)|Pilotwings]]'' with a kamikaze twist. It's a multifaceted game that melds a slick vehicle sim and a mind-thumping action/strategy challenge with massive destructive force."{{r|GProrev}} Schneider said ''Blast Corps'' was on par with the quality of [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] games and an excellent display of Rare's potential.{{r|IGN review}} ''Next Generation'' described it as "effectively every [[Tonka]] fantasy brought vividly and explosively to life".{{r|NGen31}}

''EGM'' named it a runner-up for "Most Original Game of the Year" (behind ''[[PaRappa the Rapper]]'') at their 1997 Editors' Choice Awards.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Editors' Choice Awards |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=104 |date=March 1998 |page=94}}</ref>

''Blast Corps'' sold close to a million copies. The game sold reasonably well in Japan.{{r|dev 86}} Metacritic ranked the title among the top ten games released in 1997. It remained Metacritic's highest ranked 1997 Nintendo 64 game after ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]''.{{r|Metacritic: 1997}} ''Blast Corps'' was selected as ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'s}} May 1997 Game of the Month{{r|EGM 94}} and an ''IGN'' Editors' Choice.{{r|IGN review}} Later the same year, ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' ranked it number 93 on their 100 best console video games of all time, remarking, "C'mon, not only are you driving all the vehicles you thought were mega cool as a kid – you're using 'em to plow through buildings."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=100 |date=November 1997 |page=104}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref> Four of six ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' reviewers recommended the game.{{r|NP 95}}

== Legacy ==
Wakeley, the game's designer, considered making a sequel as an action combat game, but thought the concepts behind ''Blast Corps'' had been fully exhausted.{{r|dev 86}} After praising the game in a 2010 Rare retrospective feature, ''Retro Gamer''{{'s}} writers craved a sequel.{{r|Retro Glimpse}} The magazine said the title was proof of the company's inventiveness. Steve Ellis, who was a programmer at Rare, thought ''Blast Corps'' to be among the company's most underrated games, and though its physics were now dated, he continued to find the game fun enough to revisit regularly.{{r|Retro Ruled}} ''Blast Corps'' is included in ''[[Rare Replay]]'', a compilation of 30 Rare titles, released on the [[Xbox One]] on August 4, 2015.{{r|Polygon: Replay}} The release's bonus features included [[making-of|behind-the-scenes]] interviews with ''Blast Corps''{{'s}} developers.{{r|RR Ars Technica: hunters}} ''Blast Corps'' was a standout favorite among ''Rare Replay'' reviewers.{{r|RR Ars Technica: review|RR Kotaku: rev|RR USgamer: rev|RR Eurogamer: rev|RR Game Informer: rev|RR Polygon: ranked}} The game was re-released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in North America and Europe on February 21, 2024,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/classic-rare-games-have-been-added-to-nintendo-switch-online/|title=Classic Rare games have been added to Nintendo Switch Online|last=Robinson|first=Andy|website=Video Games Chronicle|date=February 21, 2024|access-date=February 21, 2024}}</ref> and in Japan on April 24, 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHo0HfQnNDM | title=NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Switch Online 追加タイトル &#91;2024年4月24日&#93; | website=[[YouTube]] | date=April 23, 2024 }}</ref>

Rare's ''Blast Corps'' began a run of highly praised [[Nintendo 64]] games, including ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'', ''[[Banjo-Kazooie (video game)|Banjo-Kazooie]]'', ''[[Perfect Dark]]'', and ''[[Jet Force Gemini]]''. ''Retro Gamer'' wrote that Rare had doubled the number of classic Nintendo 64 games and was an important alliance for Nintendo.{{r|dev 86}} [[Microsoft]] acquired Rare in 2002 for a record price of $377&nbsp;million.{{r|dev 86|1UP: acq}} After the industry had changed, ''Blast Corps'' designer Martin Wakeley reflected a decade after the game's 1997 release. In 2009, Wakeley said, a studio would rarely entrust the scope of a project like ''Blast Corps'' to a team of four recent graduates.{{r|dev 86}}

The staff of ''Nintendo Power'' (1997) and ''IGN'' (2014) both listed ''Blast Corps'' in the bottom halves of their top 100 Nintendo games of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |title=100 Best Games of All Time |page=96 |date=September 1997 |issue=100 |url=https://archive.org/stream/Nintendo_Power_Issue_100_September_1997#page/n107/mode/1up}}</ref>{{r|IGN top 125}} ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' ranked the game 84th on a list of the greatest Nintendo games.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7188 |title=100-81 ONM |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine|ONM]] |access-date=September 9, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223134327/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7188 |archive-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="1001 Must Play">{{cite book |last=Sanches |first=Joao Diniz |editor-last=Mott |editor-first=Tony |chapter=Blast Corps |page=325 |title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die |year=2010 |location=New York |publisher=[[RCS MediaGroup|Universe]] |isbn=978-0-7893-2090-2}}</ref>

<ref name="1UP: acq">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/microsoft-rare-3-5-years |access-date=April 12, 2016 |title=Microsoft: Ask Us About Rare in 3 to 5 Years |last1=Klepek |first1=Patrick |date=May 15, 2007 |work=[[1UP.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528074505/http://www.1up.com/news/microsoft-rare-3-5-years |archive-date=May 28, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Australian">{{cite web |url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=457Y-KCF0-0197-51DV&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true |access-date=June 4, 2016 |title=A Clever Excuse for Wanton Destruction |last1=Polak |first1=Steve |date=July 19, 1997 |work=[[The Weekend Australian]] |page=S07 |via=[[LexisNexis]] |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028145445/http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=457Y-KCF0-0197-51DV&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CVG 188">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_188_1997-07_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n13/mode/1up/ |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=188 |date=July 1997 |page=14 |title=Letters}}</ref>

<ref name="CVG 189 rev">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_189_1997-08_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n57/mode/2up/ |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=189 |date=August 1997 |pages=57–60 |title=Blast Corps Review}}</ref>

<ref name="dev 86">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/the-making-of-blast-corps/ |access-date=July 14, 2015 |title=The Making of Blast Corps |last1=Crossley |first1=Rob |date=August 2007 |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=41 |pages=86–89 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411115039/http://www.nowgamer.com/the-making-of-blast-corps/ |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="EGM 94">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=94 |date=May 1997 |page=52 |title=Review Crew}} The magazine's disaggregated scores were 9.0/9.0/8.5/8.5.</ref>

<ref name="Fox">{{cite book |last=Fox |first=Matt |title=The Video Games Guide: 1,000+ Arcade, Console and Computer Games, 1962–2012 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xzMYYrsDaAEC&pg=PA31 |year=2013 |location=[[Jefferson, North Carolina]] |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0-7864-7257-4 |page=31}}</ref>

<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web |url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=3TD8-NK70-002D-6289&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true |access-date=June 4, 2016 |title=Reviews: CD-Roms: Blast Corps Nintendo 64 (cartridges), pounds 60 |last1=Wainwright |first1=Tom |date=November 6, 1997 |work=[[The Guardian]] |page=9 |via=[[LexisNexis]] |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028145854/http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=3TD8-NK70-002D-6289&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/03/27/blast-corps |access-date=July 31, 2015 |title=Blast Corps |last=Schneider |first=Peer |date=March 26, 1997 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712092657/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/03/27/blast-corps |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN top 125">{{Cite web |title=The Top 125 Nintendo Games of All Time |page=3 |work=[[IGN]] |date=September 24, 2014 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/the-top-125-nintendo-games-of-all-time?page=3 |access-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229103555/http://www.ign.com/articles/the-top-125-nintendo-games-of-all-time?page=3 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=Metacritic>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blast-corps/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64 |title=Blast Corps Critic Reviews for Nintendo 64 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613004158/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/n64/blastcorps |archive-date=June 13, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Metacritic: 1997">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered?year_selected=1997 |title=Best Video Games for 1997 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=August 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315223747/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered?year_selected=1997 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="NP 95">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |issue=95 |date=April 1997 |page=93 |title=Now Playing |url=https://archive.org/stream/Nintendo_Power_Issue_095_April_1997#page/n102/mode/1up}}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon: Graeme">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/10/8927959/goldeneye-n64-soundtrack |access-date=August 1, 2015 |title=Listen to N64 GoldenEye's soundtrack in beautiful, uncompressed form |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |date=July 10, 2015 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810082856/http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/10/8927959/goldeneye-n64-soundtrack |archive-date=August 10, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon: Replay">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/15/8783621/rare-replay-xbox-one |access-date=June 16, 2015 |title=Rare Replay for Xbox One includes 30 Rare games for $30 (update) |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=June 15, 2015 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617232305/http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/15/8783621/rare-replay-xbox-one |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Retro Glimpse">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=84 |date=December 2010 |page=36 |title=A Rare Glimpse}}</ref>

<ref name="Retro Ruled">{{cite magazine |last=McFerran |first=Damien |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=153 |date=April 2016 |pages=76–85 |title=How Rare Ruled the N64}}</ref>

<ref name="RR Ars Technica: hunters">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/canceled-rare-game-details-emerge-thanks-to-rare-replay-achievement-hunters/ |access-date=August 21, 2015 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |title=Canceled Rare game details emerge thanks to Rare Replay achievement hunters [Updated] |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805233448/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/canceled-rare-game-details-emerge-thanks-to-rare-replay-achievement-hunters/ |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RR Ars Technica: review">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/rare-replay-review-incomplete-but-still-plenty-of-timeless-gaming-smashes/ |access-date=August 21, 2015 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |title=Rare Replay review: Incomplete, but still plenty of timeless gaming smashes |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=August 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805145202/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/rare-replay-review-incomplete-but-still-plenty-of-timeless-gaming-smashes/ |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RR Eurogamer: rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-04-rare-replay-review |access-date=August 22, 2015 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |title=Rare Replay review |last1=Whitehead |first1=Dan |date=August 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806045649/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-04-rare-replay-review |archive-date=August 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RR Game Informer: rev">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/rare_replay/b/xboxone/archive/2015/08/03/game-informer-rare-replay-review.aspx |access-date=August 22, 2015 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |title=Rare Replay: A Rare Occasion |last1=Hilliard |first1=Kyle |date=August 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805051638/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/rare_replay/b/xboxone/archive/2015/08/03/game-informer-rare-replay-review.aspx |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RR Kotaku: rev">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/rare-replay-the-kotaku-review-1721781195 |access-date=August 22, 2015 |work=[[Kotaku]] |title=Rare Replay: The Kotaku Review |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=August 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804000642/http://kotaku.com/rare-replay-the-kotaku-review-1721781195 |archive-date=August 4, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RR Polygon: ranked">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/8/4/9086109/rare-replay-top-30-ranked-worst-to-best-countdown-xbox-one-microsoft |access-date=August 22, 2015 |title=Rare Replay countdown: 30 Rare classics ranked from worst to best |last=Kollar |first=Philip |date=August 4, 2015 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806160122/http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/8/4/9086109/rare-replay-top-30-ranked-worst-to-best-countdown-xbox-one-microsoft |archive-date=August 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RR USgamer: rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/rare-replay-xbox-one-review |access-date=August 22, 2015 |work=[[USgamer]] |title=Rare Replay Xbox One Review: The Ultimate Retro Compilation |last1=Rignall |first1=Jaz |date=August 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806093117/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/rare-replay-xbox-one-review |archive-date=August 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Blast Corps - Spoken Article - English.ogg |date=November 26, 2022}}

* {{Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{YouTube|F47zZaZ92Cs|Awesome Games Done Quick 2015 speedrun featuring commentary by Martin Wakeley}}

{{Rare|state=expanded}}

{{Portal bar|Video games}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1997 video games]]
[[Category:Action games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 64 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Rare (company) games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about nuclear technology]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Graeme Norgate]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]