Mean Machines
1st January 1991
Hard Drivin'
We've been waiting for it to appear for ages, but finally Atari's massively successful filled-3D driving coin-op has been converted to the Megadrive.
At first you choose either an automatic or manually-geared car. After that it's straight behind the wheel for some serious speeding. The idea is to drive around a track, reaching each checkpoint dotted around the course to add extra time to your ever-decreasing timer. Should the timer run out, it's game over, so the pressure is on for fast driving.
There are two routes you can take around the course - the speed track and the stunt track. The former is a fairly straightforward, but slightly longer course where you can really get your foot down. The stunt course requires a far more careful approach, with a loop-the-loop, broken bridge and some high speed banking to negotiate.
As well as concentrating on staying on the road, there are other road users to worry about. Cars and lorries travel around the track in both directions, so take care not to stray over the other side of the road!If you hit any obstacle, a third-person perspective replay of your crash is shown, and you're put back on the road a little further from the point of impact, resulting in precious time being lost.
The Coin-Op
Atari's revolutionary 3D coin-op appeared in the arcades during spring 1989 and quickly became one of the most popular arcade machines of all time. Its freedom of movement and "real world" environment, coupled with its amazing stunt and speed tracks and "real" car controls and handling resulted in a very original and highly playable coin-gobbler.
If you haven't played it yet - check out an arcade and make sure you do!!!Hard Drivin' Gets Harder
Hitting the arcades this month is Race Drivin', the sequel to Hard Drivin'. Using the same graphics system, but featuring two new tracks and four different cars, it's a very challenging and addictive race game.
The new stunt track features a mountain pass, a broken loop-the-loop, bumpy speed banking, a high roller coaster hill, a tunnel and a corkscrew with three loops! The off-road track is quite straightforward, but the slippery course makes it ideal to practise rallying skills.
There's even a two-player link-up option inside the coin-op should your arcade feature two machines.Learn To Drive
Originally, Hard Drivin' was developed as a machine to help learner drivers get used to controlling a car before they actually went out on the road. However, the designers soon realised that it would be much more fun (and make far more money) if they turned their creaction into an arcade machine, so they beefed up the car to make it perform like a top sports car, and added all sorts of wild 'n wacky features to the track, such as stunt jumps and high speed banking!
The result was one of the most enjoyable race games seen in the arcades.
The Phantom Photon
Grey Import Warning
At present this is only available from Megadrive software importers and is not officially available from Sega in this country. This means that the game will work fine on Megadrives that have been imported from Japan, but will not work on official UK Megadrives unless you have a games adaptor (available from mail order import companies) or your machine has been modified (which we do not recommend you do as this invalidates your warranty).
Matt
Hard Drivin' was easily one of the most innovative coin-ops of the late eighties: its filled-vector graphics and tactile feedback, as well as its original stunt tracks, caused a sensation in the arcades. However, the Megadrive version cannot possibly offer that sort of excitement - and so the player is left with the bare bones of the game, so to speak.
It's my sad duty to report that this conversion really doesn't cut the mustard. The car handles well and the update is fast, but ultimately the game lacks longevity. It's easy to finish the courses, and then what do you do? Finish them again?Megadrive games are expensive, so if you want to play Hard Drivin', go to the arcades and spend a few ten pees - you'll get better value for money.
Julian
Hard Drivin' worked well as a coin-op - the positive feedback steering wheel, realistic clutch controls and enclosed cabinet made for an enjoyable driving experience.
However, on the Megadrive much of the coin-op's tactile appeal has been stripped away, exposing what is really a rather basic racing game.The 3D graphics are smooth, fast and impressive, and the game is certainly enjoyable for a while. But once you've mastered the tracks and beaten the Phantom Photon (which doesn't take a vast amount of practice) it all gets rather dull and pointless. Players who loved the coin-op will doubtless enjoy the action, but it won't take long before the novelty wears off.
Verdict
Presentation 83%
An impressive options screen and good in-game presentation.
Fast and effective 3D, although some of the colours are rather drab.
Sound 47%
Weak engine and skidding noises and an equally feeble title screen tune which should have been a lot better.
Playability 81%
Great controls and straightforward gameplay make this very easy to get into. Almost too easy.
Lastability 38%
Although it's fun at first, once you've beaten the Photon and mastered the tracks the lack of variety results in boredom.
Overall 51%
The lack of decent sound, variety and long-term challenge ruin an otherwise impressive conversion. For ardent coin-op fans only.
