Friday, 28 September 2018

Super Off Road on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive

Super Off Road was one of my favourite racers from back in the day. Used to play the game a lot on the Commodore Amiga. That version had a license on it for Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart'. Was very interested to see how the game played on the Sega Mega Drive in comparison.

Super Off Road is a racing game published by Virgin in 1992 and based on the arcade coin-op from Leland Corporation in 1989.



How does this one play then?

Well, I'm pleased to say it plays wonderfully. This version is a bit different from the Amiga version I was previously used to and you can sort of look at this as an enhanced arcade version. Very pleasing indeed!

You control a small red car in this oblique top down racing game. It's kind of like a dirt-version of Super Sprint. You race three other opponents and the aim is to progress to as many different courses as possible without getting knocked out.

Prize money is awarded depending on your finishing position which you can use to upgrade your car. Upgrades available are Nitros, Acceleration, Tyres, Speed and Shocks. All are vital to ensure your successful progress. Finishing fourth means no prize money at all meaning you can't upgrade your car for the next race... when this happens a few times in a row you know GAME OVER is imminent.

It seems there are a lot more courses available here than on the Arcade and Amiga versions which is fantastic. The game play is very welcoming for the beginner new to the game, but can rank up quite quickly due to a kind of in-built rubber-banding system.

After each race, you hopefully see yourself on the podium with scantily clad bikini girls. Erm yes... this was probably okay for 1992, but nowadays the Political Correctness police would be heavily on your case. Grid Girls being no longer used in Formula One of course. Changing times. When looking at Retro Games, you have to take yourself back to the era they were originally produced.

Super Off Road is a magnificently fun game. Would highly recommend this version for people both new to the game and those who only had other versions such as myself. It's like a Super Off Road Enhanced Edition!

Check out the Youtube video review above!!

Nick :o)


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