Originally, the game was referred to as ""F-Zero" on water" and would feature high-speed boats, as shown in footage from the 1995 Nintendo Shoshinkai show. These boats were expected to have transforming capabilities, allowing players to switch from a stable catamaran-style form to a more streamlined canoe-style version. However, the boats were ultimately replaced with Jet Skis. According to Miyamoto: "Boats looked pretty good at the show, but I didn't think that "Wave Race 64" would be unique from similar games on other systems if we used boats. Jet Skis can show many maneuvers that work well in the realistic water of "Wave Race 64"". The use of Jet Skis was suggested by Rare's Tim Stamper. The game uses the Nintendo 64's alpha blending feature to make the water simultaneously transparent and reflective.