Air Hendrix scored the PlayStation version a perfect 5 out of 5 in every category (FunFactor, control, sound, and graphics) in "GamePro", citing "across-the-board innovations" over the already excellent original "WipeOut". He particularly remarked that the controls are much more refined, fairer, and easier to master, and that the frame rate and graphical effects are much more impressive. Tom Ham of "GameSpot" also commented on the control improvements and approved of the new ability to destroy opponents. Additionally praising the elaborate backgrounds, detailed sound effects, and more aggressive A.I., he deemed it "a must buy". IGN said that it had topped the original in terms of music, number of simultaneous racers, A.I., weapons, and graphics, and concluded: "It's games like this that make you proud to be a PlayStation owner". In 1996, "Next Generation" ranked "Wipeout 2097" as the 32nd top game of all time for how "playing linked "Wipeout" comes close to gaming at its very best", noting that the game could have been a technology demonstration for PlayStation. "Edge" gave both the PlayStation and Sega Saturn versions a score of 8 out of 10, with similar remarks of its improved graphics and its gameplay.