Blast Corps are the leaders in the field of heavy demolition. There is no job too big. They have applied their unique talents to the problem of urban decay, renovating and revitalising the major cities. The world, however, is now facing a crisis and their expertise is urgently needed for a far more important and potentially life-threatening task.
A pair of defective nuclear missiles, en-route to a safe detonation site, have sprung a leak and the missile carrier is automatically locked-on to the most direct route to the detonation site. It is the job of the Blast Corps to clear a path for this missile-bearing truck as is trundles ominously onwards. Its pathway must be kept completely clear. Failure to accomplish this will result in nuclear devastation. . . and the end of your mission.
To achieve your goals you have 15 different vehicles with which to bombard your way to success. Some of these you use on their own, while some of the 60 or so missions require you to hop from one to the other. Unsurprisingly one of the vehicles is a bulldozer but the others come in varying forms. During the entirety of the game you will have to master the controls of trains, cranes, race cars, trikes and jet-propelled droids among others.
You are aided by the training levels which you uncover as you progress through the game. These levels mustn't be taken lightly because, despite the fact that Blast Corps is easy enough at first, when it comes down to the wire it is as tough as they come. When the missile carrier moves to within inches of disaster you don't want to be found fiddling with the controls when you could be averting the danger.
However, when the danger has been averted you now have time to boost your percentages as there are commendations and promotions to be gained (31 in all). To reach that magic 100 per cent rating for a level you have to rescue everybody, destroy all buildings in the area and pick up all the Radiation Dispersion Units. Destroying the buildings is no chore. Thanks to some magnificent graphics the scene is more like Guy Fawkes night as soaring skyscrapers crumble in the wake of your destruction . . . which is, after all, all for a good cause.
Blast Corps is certainly original and manages to be great fun. As the levels get harder you'll find the palms of your hands sweating as the clock ticks down to another near disaster. It's thrilling stuff and if this game represents what Nintendo have to offer for the 64 the future is bright. . . the future could be Nintendo. Graphics: 94% Sound: 89% Gameplay: 92%