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One of the most successful arcade games ever started life as a safety device, a simulator intended to save driving instructors from terminal nervous tension. But, needless to say, the allure of loads of dosh in the arcades soon distracted the programmers from this noble task. In short order, the 1100cc mini-micro car was replaced by an extremely flash, high performance Italian car that can turn your average young driver into a stretcher case faster than you can say 140mph. And just to help the process along, a peaceful urban route has been replaced by a Speed Track and a Stunt Track.

The latter has three main stunts: the Bridge Jump, the diabolically steep Bank, and the vertigo-inducing Loop-the-Loop. Keeping the car on the track is tough enough, but there are also plenty of other cars to run into and a time limit to make each of the three checkpoints per lap. The Speed Track has a more conventional layout, to better simulate normal driving, but the tough time limits ensure you break all speed limits. Make a fast enough lap on either Track and you get challenged by another law breaker, namely the Phantom Photon, to a race around the Stunt Track. A single crash will disqualify you, so this is one mean challenge. But if you do beat the Photon, your amazing performance is saved so that if you beat the new lap time you get to race against yourself!

Obviously good control of your car is critical, so Domark have provided a variety of options. Probably the best is mouse, with the two buttons controlling acceleration/deceleration. Press both and you get the brakes. Joystick works as you'd expect - forward/backward controlling speed with fire activating brakes. Gears can be automatic, or manual with either keys or a second joystick replacing the gearstick.

For the future, Domark are planning data disks with additional cars, scenery tracks, and ultimately even a track designer!

Jurgen Friedrich has worked miracles cramming the coin-op into the Amiga, this really is a very close conversion which can be heartily recommended to fans of the arcade game.

The lack of a steering wheel and pedals is compensated for by a nice combination mouse/joystick set-up and the graphics are great. But this closeness does cause some problems - just two tracks really doesn't offer that much depth for an Amiga game.

The roads are also surprisingly empty, with just a few cars to avoid. Still, the data disks could solve these problems and there's no doubting what a great conversion this is!

The real thrill of the coin-op was its realism; with the lack of a steering wheel, gearstick, and pedals, the home computer versions always sounded a bit dubious!

Although the mouse/joystick control is adequate, it doesn't really give you the illusion of driving. Still, despite the odd bug, the 3D graphics are very good indeed and driving against the Phantom Photon adds an element of competition to this enjoyable driving sim.

The C64 game will probably copy the very fast Spectrum game, so let's hope for another Stunt Car Racer miracle!

Presentation 90%
Arcade perfect presentation, choice of manual and automatic gears, control options.

Graphics 86%
Visually an extremely accurate and fast version of the arcade game.

Sound 74%
Good intro tune and samples, but the in-game FX are a bit dull.

Hookability 80%
Control system takes a bit of mastering, but simulator effect is immediately compelling.

Lastability 78%
Ability to race against Photon and yourself provides good challenge. While two tracks don't provide much variety, promised data disks will improve this rating.

Overall 81%
An excellent conversion of a good coin-op.