RACING GAMES:
A BRIEF HISTORY

1986:   Outrun is the racing game everyone wants to play. Offering players the opportunity to race across America in 80s dream machine, the Ferrari Testarossa, it is a smash hit in the arcades, but doesn't translate well to the home computer. If you fancy giving it a go now, fire up the System 16 emulator (which incidentally also supports the rather fantastic Space Harrier).   Pictured: Outrun

1989:   Due to the limitations of the technology available, racing games are never fully realised on home machines. Speccy, Amiga and Megadrive owners are united in enduring a steady stream of sub-standard arcade conversions like Roadblasters, Overlander, WEC Le Mans and Turbo Outrun. On the PC, the Test Drive games provide an altogether more satisfying experience, simulating illegal road-races in Ferraris and Porsches that necessitate avoiding other traffic as well as the police. Geoff Crammond's Stunt Car Racer is the first game to successfully use polygons without sacrificing speed. pictured: Stunt Car Racer

1990:   With 16-bit computers now firmly established, software began to improve. On the ST and Amiga, aside from a port of Test Drive 2, Toyota Celica GT Rally impresses with its realistic co-driver and weather effects, while the split-screen racing of Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge proves a hit with reviewers and public alike. 4D Sports: Driving makes an appearance on PC and Amiga (see review) while Test Drive 3 takes the series into 'full' 3D, albeit not altogether successfully. Pictured: Test Drive 3 (above) 4D Sports: Driving (right)

1991:   Geoff Crammond returns with the first successful 'simulation' racer, Formula One Grand Prix. Offering more than other games of its ilk, some reviewers are reluctant to recommend it on the basis that it might be too complex for most gamers, instead preferring the 'F1-lite' approach of Lankhor's Vroom. Nevertheless, it is deservedly a massive hit. Also in this year, Crazy Cars 3 won many fans with its story-based career mode, which involved prize money, car upgrades, and betting on the outcome of races. pictured: Crazy Cars 3