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This intro is going to be a bit different, a bit serious. It's a brief history of the struggles of programmers to make that impossible dream a reality - a real driving game. Ever since Atari Pole Position, every 3D game has tied to balance the two requirements of a good driving game: sense of speed and sense of reality. Somehow one always seemed sacrificed for the other. You might make a fast arcade-style game that moves like a rocket, but has no landscape features or depth. On the other hand, you might toil over a racing "simulator" with tediously slow graphics that make it look like a Reliant Robin with the choke out too long.

It seems that these considerations preyed on the programmers of Domark's new Formula One game. Like many previous racing games, they have recreated the course layouts of the Grand Prix circuit accurately. Qualifying laps, tyres and pit-stops are, as usual, all there. But the crux of the game is in the playing. Have Domark made something to really break clear of the pack?

This is the totally official and licensed Formula One game for the Megadrive, being a close conversion of the Amiga game, Vroom.

Steer your F1 car around each of the championship tracks, aiming to overtake racers and finish first.

A major feature of Formula One is the head-to-head option, which utilises a split-screen mode. The top part of the screen layout is the same, with a course map and time details. However, in two-player mode, the remaining screen area is divided horizontally, to provide a view for both players.

This option is only available in championship mode. An interesting variation is the option to race directly against the Megadrive, which occupies the second part of the screen.

The split-screen moves slightly slower than full-screen racing, but is still very fast.

You can save your progress in the Constructor's championship for a later date. This isn't an innovation, but F1 has a jaw-cracking 10 separate positions for single and two-player saved games.

A subtle twist to the racing format is offered by Arcade mode. The courses are taken in order, from Interlagos first. The object of each six lap race is to pass a required number of cars. Succeed and you move to the next track, get a score, and face a greater quota of cars to pass.

The Championsip option is for racing across a succession of the world's most famous race tracks, the actual events of each year's Driver's Championship. On the construction screen, you get to choose any number of the courses, in any order. You (and another player if selected) race for the Domark team against the familiar names of Prost (Williams), Schumacher (Benetton) and Alesi (Ferrari).

A league table after each event is shown. The first five are awarded position points ranging from ten to one.

A guidette to four fave circuits:

1. San Marino A real horror track. The bends are as tight as a duck's behind, and there are loads of gantries and obstructions.

2. Monte Carlo A sliver of a course. Do serious damage to the palm tree setting, and enjoy the glorious tunnel section. Monaco demands constant attention.

3. Estoril Who designed these preposterous curves? Estoril also has a magnificent straight, and a sneaky danger area before the last bend.

4. Fuji Nostalgial Fuji was featured in the original Pole Position. To its distinctive rounded curves are added some steep gradients. Its nice to see Fuji again, so often passed over for Suzuka (which is a bit dull, if truth be told).

In this driving game, hitting a tree at top speed is not fatal, thankfully. It does bring you to a dead stop, and wastes valuable seconds as your car is repositioned.

Crashing into cars and some roadside obstacles sometimes results in a spectacular aerial launch. It is possible to recover from this event, but watch you don't blow your engine by revving in the air.

Formula One World Championship is just a brilliant racing game, wiping the floor with just about every other racing title on the Megadrive. The main feature is its speed. The incredibe acceleration, coupled with the extremely smooth update is a stunning coup. Looking at the stills here you may not be convined, but to play it is to understand exactly what the programmers were trying to achieve, and they succeeded.

Thankfully, getting the basics right has been supported with a thoughtful approach to options, including a vital two-player mode, which retains all the excitement, if not all the speed, of the solo option. What with ten save positions, four levels and even an arcade variation with scores, this cart has massive lasting value, and should become an instant classic amongst Megadrive racers.

Superb graphics, incredibly speedy action, full-screen one-player and split screen two-player modes, smooth, fast and utterly realistic 3D graphics, arcade and championship options, great sound, loads of tracks, fabulous presentation, four difficulty settings, loads of features, plenty of nice touches and marvellous, highly addictive gameplay drive this straight into pole position as the greatest Megadrive race game yet seen.

It's brilliant fun and provides tons of long-term interest, both in the form of solo Grand Prix Championship attempts and simutaneous two-player battles. If you're a racing fan and you miss this, nominate yourself as nob of the year.

Presentation 94%
P. Four different skill levels, a training mode, a Driver's championship with ten save positions, and a two-player option well executed.
N. Nothing worth faulting.

Graphics 90%
P. Excellent graphics with immense speed... All the presentational graphics (course maps, etc) are nicely done.
N. Not much variety in colour.

Sound 79%
P. Good engine noise as you shift gears.
N. The music is just okay and not as atmospheric as the other game sound or graphics.

Playability 93%
P. Speed freaks, grannies (and everyone else!) will be instantly addicted to the authentic feel. Fifteen other racers of considerable skill force you to excel.

Lastability 90%
The twelve courses will take a lot of mastering, and the turbo option will probably defy all your attempts to handle it. There's infinite capacity for head-to-heads.

Overall 93%
It's the best racing game on the Megadrive. Simple as that. Easy controls, atmosphere, options and *speed* combine to form an almost perfect whole.