Driving Games
Here
we are using the term 'driving' to include all type of games
that involve racing or controlling a motorised vehicle during
a race or competition. Some driving games concentrate more on
realism and simulation such as Atari's seminal 'Hard Drivin'
or task based game play such as 'Crazy Taxi'.
Whether
you are taking part in a Formula-1 style race (Ace Driver,
Virtual Racing), an American Indy 500 style race (Daytona USA,
Daytona USA 2), road racing (Ridge Racer, Rave Racer, Initial
D, Battle Gear) or cross country rally (Sega Rally, Sega Rally
2) the fun comes from the escapism. Players can race at
breathtaking speeds, perform death defying manoeuvres, crash
and burn with no consequences.
Cabinet
Types
Driving
games come in all shapes and sizes, from Upright cabinets that
the player must stand at to play, sit-down games for one
player or two players versions called 'twins', right through
to deluxe models which have a single seat and a much larger
screen.
Linking
Most
modern driving games are designed to be linked together so
that players can race each other. If a 'twin' version of a
game exists it is very likely that the deluxe version can be
linked together. Games vary in the maximum number of players
that can be linked, by definition the minimum would be 2
players. Many games can have 4, 8 or in some cases even 16
players or more participating in a single race. This can be an
excellent crowd pleaser in larger locations.
Motorbikes,
Trucks, Spaceships & More...
Not
all driving games feature cars, there are a considerable
number of games that feature motorcycle racing such as 'Manx
TT', 'Cyber Cycles' and 'Harley Davidson & The L.A.
Riders'. Games featuring giant trucks such as '18 Wheeler' and
'King of Route 66' are huge fun in not little part due to the
feeling of controlling a massive vehicle with the giant
steering wheel. Futuristic racing games such as 'Ballistics'
from Trio-Tech with it's motion-seat give a real feel of speed
- especially when the turbo mode is applied! Other futuristic
racing games include 'Star Wars - Pod Racer' and 'F-Zero AC'
are amongst many more. A more down to earth style of racing
games are the 'Go-Kart' games such as 'Club Kart' and 'Kart
Duel'.
