Diddy Kong Racing is a racing video game developed and published by Rare for the Nintendo 64. It was first released on 14 November 1997 in Japan, 21 November 1997 in Europe and 24 November 1997 in North America. The game is set in "Timber's Island" and revolves around Diddy Kong and his friends' attempt to defeat the intergalactic pig-wizard antagonist, Wizpig, through winning a series of races. The player can take control of any of the featured characters throughout the game. Diddy Kong Racing features five worlds with four racetracks each, and the ability to drive a car, hovercraft, or pilot an aeroplane.