Future Publishing


Hard Drivin'

Publisher: Atarisoft
Machine: Atari Lynx

 
Published in Ace #055: April 1992

Hard Drivin'

The Lynx catalogue of software keeps getting bigger and bigger, and - more importantly - the quality of the games keeps getting better and better. Hard Drivin', a conversion of the Atari coin-op, is a case in point.

Potential buyers expecting or hoping for Pole Position 3 are going to be disappointed - this is a pretty successful attempt to simulate the controls and performance of a 'real' car, and as such it's slightly more difficult and much less forgiving to drive than your usual arcade auto.

The action takes place on one of two courses, a Speed Track and a Stunt Track (complete with jumps and loop-the-loop). Once these have been tamed, the player can try racing against the Photon Phantom.

The graphics and sound are nothing short of incredible, accurately reproducing the look and feel of its coin-op Big Daddy. Along with S.T.U.N. Runner this is a real showcase for the power of the Lynx.

It takes a little while to get used to Hard Drivin' on the Lynx - the joypad is a poor substitute for a wheel - making the going tough at first, and some may find the difficulty combined with the lack of immediate pulse-racing thrills boring. However, once the player has got the hang of things they should find Hard Drivin' remarkably satisfying. Recommended.