WipEout Pure is the first PSP rendition of the popular Wipeout series. Players compete in the FX300 Racing League, a futuristic racing league in which they operate fast hovercrafts on tight, twisting tracks, fighting for first place in one of many tournaments. There are 10 anti-gravity vehicles to choose from (two must be unlocked), each with unique speed, handling, and acceleration qualities. Vehicles are further classified, which are gradually opened. Most cars in later classes get significantly quicker and require more precision steering at high speeds. Similarly, players might get access to new events.
There are sixteen tracks to race on, twelve explicitly built for the PSP and four classic Wipeout tracks. Each channel includes its own set of obstacles, offensive and defensive weapon pick-ups, and speed boosters. Single races, tournaments comprising backgrounds of races, time trials, and zone races are among the game formats available. In zone races, the player must navigate a series of increasingly authoritarian zones on his own, without the ability to slow down, until the vehicle explodes due to collision damage. The Tournament mode grants access to new game elements.
Wireless play through ad-hoc mode (PSP-to-PSP) is available in the game. It was also the first PSP game to support downloadable content, including more teams, tracks, and PSP skins. Some of these packs are only accessible in certain regions, and the game’s European version allows for game sharing.
