Wipeout may be one of the most aptly-titled television shows of recent history. The series is a mix of game-show and slapstick comedy, with contestants falling all over themselves (and each other, and the numerous obstacles placed in their way) in the hopes of gaining a cash prize. Wipeout: The Game follows the show’s format to the letter, and manages to capture most of the fun with none of the pain.Each game consists of four rounds and can handle up to four players. First, all players take turns on the initial obstacle course with its signature threats, including a wall of boxing gloves and the big red balls. The balls are one of the first options to really admire the physics engine of the game, as your on-screen avatar is helplessly flung from one to the next with little real chance of making it across. The graphics themselves are nothing to write home about, but come onfor a licensed game show product, no one was expecting much. The fact that the game actually delivers on most fronts is a pleasant surprise. Following the first course are two rounds where all four players compete at once. These will be familiar to any fans of the show. The game culminates with another, harder obstacle course.Among the differences from the actual show is the fact that all players make it to the final round, rather than being weeded out along the way. Another is that players who aren’t competing can throw balls at the single player, either as distraction or attempting to hit targets which will affect obstacles on the course. However, the rest of the game will be instantly recognizable, down to the animated hosts John Henson and John Anderson. The only real downside is that the collision detection can give you fits, as objects that you’ve clearly avoided will sometimes still knock you off your feet. Still, for a solid party game, you can do much worse than Wipeout: The Game.