Previous Next

Have you got what it takes to be a champion? When the chips are on the table, will you be found lacking? Can you eat three Shredded Wheat for breakfast and keep them down while reading these ridiculous cliches? Then maybe - just maybe - you can handle Ivan 'Iron Man' Stewart's Super Off-Road Racer.

Still think you can cut it? Good - hit that track and prepare to race! A multi-player extravaganza in the Super Sprint mould, you control your sprite using the standard rotate/accelerate method - hit the gas with the fire button, and use the joystick like a steering wheel. Tricky at first, but once mastered you wouldn't want it any other way.

Before lining up for the first race of the season, it's off to the now-standard bits-and-bobs shop, where you can spend up to $100,000 upgrading your jalopy. Cough up for greater acceleration, increased top speed, improved shocks for a smoother ride (pity - I hoped they'd electrocute your opponents!), and snazzier types for better off-road-holding. You can also splash out an extra nitro-injectors, giving a short but effective blast of speed. All power-ups can be upgraded a maximum of five times, and you get more money to spend after each race depending on your finishing position. That's if you get that far - finish behind any of the computer-controlled racers and you're in for a permanent pit-stop! Good job you start with three shared continues, isn't it?

Up to three human bods can compete (that's Steve out for a start!), with computer-controlled vehicles making up the numbers. Being a super-duper well 'ard off-road jobbie, your machine can take a fair amount of punishment before falling to bits. Treat it with respect though - hitting scenery and objects costs time, and eventually impairs your vehicle's performance.

Last issue I reviewed Iron Man on a compilation, and I'll say the same thing again - it's difficult to see how the game could be any better! The graphics are superb, the tiny sprites bounce around magnificently and the dirt shading is so realistic you'll want to clean your shoes after playing.

With eight courses on offer, you won't be finishing it in a hurry, and each course must be traversed in both directions, giving a grand total of sixteen levels. Best of all (cue drum roll!), it's all in one load! Incredible!! Unbelievable!!! How the hell did they... [Alright, we get the idea! - Ed]

If you missed Ivan 'Iron Man' Stewart's Super Off-Road Racer first time around, there's no excuse for not getting it now. Awarded a miserly 85% in Issue 66, on budget it's worth far, far more. Great game!