Commodore User


Super Hang-On
By Electric Dreams
Amiga 500

 
Published in Commodore User #64

Super Hang-On

A fair while has passed since the appearance of this bastion of arcade games in places of amusement around Britain. In fact, it's been a while since the conversion was first announced. The C64 version was cancelled, but the Amiga game has throttled it's way into the office, and it's well worth the wait. Super Hang-On oozes with skilled and patient programming, and it proves racing games can and will work on the Amiga.

The first I saw of any home computer version of Super Hang-On was on the ST and I was very impressed then, and although it's very similar on the Amiga it has the advantage of being slightly faster and more playable. That's why you bought the machine, right?

The graphics cannot be called arcade quality when put next to the coin-op itself, but they are damn good in their own right. The scrolling is virtually faultless, the hills and general motion of the road come across very well, and you can see what's coming over the hill towards you without having to get into a panic. The speed and smoothness at which the static objects at the side of the road update is very nifty and definitely qualifies as the best in the field.

Super Hang-On

I must mention the low grade engine noises that are generated by the bike. They are a pathetic mix of hums and groans, only compensated for by the great background tracks.

The computer riders are pretty natty, not only good-looking chaps but well controlled and not prone to doing irrational things. In fact, they bank very realistically. The bike's not difficult to control either, left, right and fire are all that's needed. I actually found it easier to play with the mouse as opposed to joystick and keyboard, the only problem being that I kept running out of room when it came to a difficult turn. But I guess that's just me [Undoubtedly - Ed].

The whole game itself is very well executed, right from the start the options include a control sensitivity setting which proves very useful. Next is the most important option, what piece of music to listen to (the right music is essential to get a good lap time) and then comes the choice of which continent to race in, some of which are harder than others.

Super Hang-On is one of the best arcade conversions on any machine to date and certainly one of the best racing games. It has all the essential bits to make a quality game: graphics, gameplay and ease of use. So drop Out Run if you really want to set a trend this is definitely the simulation to get.

Mark Patterson

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