Full Throttle (1984 video game)
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| Full Throttle | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Mervyn J. Estcourt |
| Publisher(s) | Micromega |
| Platform(s) | Sinclair Spectrum and MSX |
| Release date | 1984 |
| Genre(s) | Racing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | N/A |
| Media | Compact Cassette |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Joystick |
Full Throttle is a computer game released in 1984 for the ZX Spectrum and MSX.
The player races a 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle on any of ten of the world's top racing circuits.
It was written by Mervyn Estcourt, creator of the critically-acclaimed game 3D Deathchase.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
After selecting a track to race on, the player starts at the back of the grid, with 39 other bikes. Cornering too quickly will cause a skid, while running off the road slow the bike down, and making contact with another rider forces the bike to a halt, allowing the following riders to stream past the player as the bike gets going again.
There are ten circuits in the game, and part of the key to winning is to know the circuit well enough to predict the bends. There is a practice mode, in which the player rides round the track with out any other riders, or the player can choose a race of between one and five laps.
The best position achieved is shown at the bottom of the menu-screen, along with the player's time ahead of the second-place man. As soon as the track or number of laps is changed, this record is reset.[1][2][3][4][5]
[edit] Tracks
There are ten tracks in the game:
- Donnington, UK (2.5 miles / 4.03 km)
- Mugello, San Marino (3.26 miles / 5.25 km)
- Jarama, Spain (2.06 miles / 3.31 km)
- Paul Ricard, France (3.61 miles / 5.81 km)
- Nürburgring, West Germany (2.81 miles / 4.52 km)
- Misano, Italy (2.17 miles / 3.49 km)
- Silverstone, UK (2.92 miles / 4.71 km)
- Spa Francorchamps, Belgium (4.33 miles / 6.98 km)
- Rijeka, Yugoslavia (2.59 miles / 4.17 km)
- Anderstorp, Sweden (2.50 miles / 4.03 km)
[edit] Reception
| Reviews | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Score |
| CRASH | 91% (CRASH Smash)[2] |
| Your Spectrum | 4/5 (Hit)[5] |
| Computer and Video Games | 8/10[3] |
| Sinclair User | 8/10[4] |
Reviews were Overwhelmingly positive, with CRASH giving it 91% (a CRASH Smash),[2] Your Spectrum rating it at 4/5,[5] and both Computer and Video Games and Sinclair User rating it at 8/10.[3][4]
CRASH said of the game "First impressions of this game were that it was outstanding — a Pole Position like game where the road disappeared into the horizon and scrolled exceptionally well. On playing for a bit, I noticed it was even better, because the road does more than it does in Pole Position — it actually moves left and right across the screen instead of staying fixed (nearest the viewer) in the centre of the screen.",[2] Sinclair User's Chris Bourne said "Graphics are not of the best quality, but on the whole match Chequered Flag, with a similar mountainous horizon and smoothly shifting track."[4] and David Lester of Your Spectrum said that "It's not the most colourful game I've seen, but it's certainly the best bike-racing game by far. Impressive 3D bikes and a selection of race tracks made this a winner.".[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Full Throttle Inlay, Micromega
- ^ a b c d “Full Throttle Review”, CRASH, August 1984
- ^ a b c “Full Throttle Review”, Computer and Video Games, September 1984
- ^ a b c d Bourne, Chris (October 1984), “Full Throttle Review”, Sinclair User
- ^ a b c d Smith, Ron & Lester, David (November 1984), “Full Throttle Review”, Your Spectrum
