Super Sprint
Super Sprint is an arcade and video racing game by Atari, released in 1986. In this Formula One game from the bird's eye view up to three players can play simultaneously in the arcade version.
Gameplay
The aim of the game is on eight different racetracks with Formula One vehicles in four rounds as fast as possible abzusolvieren than the opponent, as well as to collect more points. The tracks are shown in the top view and are thus shown in their entirety and without scrolling. It always drive four cars at the same time; the others are computer controlled " drones ", ie at least one. In the original version, each player controls standing with its own steering wheel and accelerator pedal the vehicle.
Depending on the route, there are jump ramps, underpasses and abbreviations, partly as opening and closing doors. When obstacles exist cones, oil - and water puddles, small tornadoes and rods that come out of the ground. In severe accidents, a helicopter flies past, allowing for a short waiting time to continue it.
From time to time appear on the road to different points numbers and golden wrench that can be collected by driving over it. The latter allow the player to select one of the following tuning options after the race and then gradually improve his vehicle: Super grip, turbo acceleration, higher speed or higher scores. The game ends when a computer opponent comes to the finish before the / players or when the bonus round was reached 85.
In the Ports partly deviating player numbers, routes and match details apply.
Arcade hardware
The arcade version features a 19 -inch color monitor and the arcade system Atari System II with two main processors, which was used among other things for the arcade machines Paperboy. The DEC T11 CPU controls the actual program, the MOS Technology 6502, the three sound chips for music and sound effects. As a copy of the slapstick - chip was used.
The vending machine can adjust the difficulty of the drone vehicles, as well as the number of required tuning key. There are a total of seven different machines alone versions of this basic game, including two German versions.
Reactions
The original game was developed for the following home computers and consoles: Atari ST ( 1986) Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 (1987 ), as well as for the NES (1989).
It also appeared as part of compilations for Xbox, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Windows PCs, mostly as Midway Arcade Treasures.
The successor Championship Sprint appeared next for CPC, C64, ZX Spectrum also for the PlayStation 3
In the reactions usually can only play up to two players simultaneously. In some cases, a third person to use the keyboard.
Predecessor and successor
Super Sprint is part of a seven-part arcade series that began with Sprint 2 (black / white game ) in 1976 and continued with Sprint 8, sprint 4, Sprint One.
As the successor of the first was published in 1986 Arcade Machine Championship Sprint with new race tracks but only two simultaneous players. In 1989 the album Badlands that publishes the game in a post-apocalyptic scenario with armed vehicles.
More Similar predecessors were, inter alia, as arcade games Gran Trak 10 (first racing game ) and Indy 800 ( eight players). For similar, later games include Skidmarks, Supercars, Super Off Road, Badlands, Turbo GT and other clones.
Reviews
The arcade version was successful and is considered a classic. Most implementations for home computers, however, were poorly rated. Specifically, the controller, the sound and partly also the graphics were criticized.
The best and most complete implementation applies the Atari ST version.
This and that
The game was advertised as the first video game for three players. There were earlier games already for the same three players ( Dare Devil, The Three Stooges ) and even more players, such as Indy 800 ( 1975) for eight players, also made by Atari ( Kee Games).