Speed Race: Difference between revisions
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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In Japan, due to the complexity of the hardware, Taito released ''Speed Race'' at a price point of {{nowrap|[[100 yen]]}} per play, compared to the standard {{nowrap|50 [[Japanese yen|yen]]}} per play up until then. Despite this, the game became a major hit in Japan, establishing {{nowrap|100 yen}} as the standard price point for arcade games in Japan over the next several decades.<ref name="Smith194"/> |
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In North America, the game became a hit when it was released by Midway there in 1975.<ref name="Smith194"/> ''Wheels'' sold 7,000 [[arcade cabinet]]s and ''Wheels II'' sold 3,000 for a combined 10,000 sold in the United States, making it the best-selling [[1975 in video games|arcade game of 1975]], according to sales figures provided by [[Ralph H. Baer]].<ref name="Baer">{{cite book |last1=Baer |first1=Ralph H. |author1-link=Ralph H. Baer |title=Videogames: In the Beginning |date=2005 |publisher=Rolenta Press |isbn=978-0-9643848-1-1 |pages=10-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/VideogamesInTheBeginningRalphH.Baer/page/n31/mode/2up}}</ref> In March 1976, the first annual ''RePlay'' arcade chart listed ''Wheels'' and ''Wheels II'' as the second top-grossing arcade game of the previous year in the United States, in terms of coin drop earnings (below Atari's [[Tank (video game)|''Tank'' and ''Tank II'']]), while the ''Racer'' version was the year's eight highest-earning arcade video game.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Nation's Top Arcade Games |journal=RePlay |date=March 1976}}</ref> In October 1976, ''RePlay'' listed ''Wheels'' as the third highest-earning arcade video game of 1976 in the United States, below ''[[Sea Wolf (video game)|Sea Wolf]]'' and ''[[Gun Fight]]'' (both manufactured by Midway).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Profit Chart |journal=RePlay |date=October 1976}}</ref> |
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The updated versions ''Speed Race DX'' and ''Speed Race Twin'' were among the top ten highest-grossing [[1976 in video games|arcade video games of 1976]] in Japan, with ''Speed Race DX'' at number-two (below Taito's ''[[List of Taito games|Ball Park]]'') and ''Speed Race Twin'' at number-eight.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=本紙アンケー 〜 ト調査の結果|trans-title=Paper Questionnaire: Results of the Survey |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=65|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 February 1977|pages=2-3|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19770201p.pdf#page=2}}</ref> ''Speed Race DX'' went on to be the highest-grossing [[1977 in video games|arcade video game of 1977]] in Japan, and second highest-grossing overall [[arcade game]] below [[Namco]]'s electro-mechanical ''[[F-1 (arcade game)|F-1]]'', while the sequel ''Super Speed Race'' was among the top ten that year.<ref name="GM159">{{cite magazine|title=調査対象5年間のベスト1|trans-title=Best 1 of the 5 Years Surveyed|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=159|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 February 1981|page=1|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19810215p.pdf}}</ref> ''Speed Race Race V'' was later Japan's second highest-grossing [[1978 in video games|arcade video game of 1978]], just below Taito's own [[shoot 'em up]] hit ''[[Space Invaders]]''.<ref name="GM113">{{cite magazine|title=人気マシン・ベスト3|trans-title=Popular Machines: Best 3 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=113|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=February 1979|pages=2–3|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19790201p.pdf#page=2}}</ref> |
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==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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Revision as of 00:26, 25 May 2021
| Speed Race | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Taito |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Designer(s) | Tomohiro Nishikado |
| Series | Speed Race |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Release | Speed Race Racer Wheels Speed Race DX Wheels II Speed Race Twin |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player Two-player (Wheels II, Twin) |
Speed Race[a] is a 1974 arcade racing video game developed and manufactured by Taito, and released under the titles Racer and Wheels in North America by distributor Midway Manufacturing in 1975. Designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, the gameplay involves the player using the attached steering wheel to maneuver a car alongside a fast vertical scrolling road. The objective is to score points by driving past other cars without colliding with them; more points are awarded for driving faster. Players must do this under a 90-second time limit, which ends the game when it runs out. The gameplay concepts were adapted from two earlier electro-mechanical games: Kasco's Mini Drive (1958) and Taito's Super Road 7 (1970).
The original Speed Race and Wheels had an upright arcade cabinet, while Midway's Racer introduced a sit-down cabinet.[4] Taito released an updated version of Speed Race called Speed Race DX in 1975.[3] Two-player versions followed with Midway's Wheels II and Taito's Speed Race Twin.[5]
The game was a worldwide commercial success. Speed Race was a hit in Japan, establishing 100 yen per play as the standard for arcade games there, while Wheels and Wheels II sold 10,000 arcade cabinets in the United States to become the best-selling arcade game of 1975. The Speed Race DX and Wheels versions were also among the top three highest-grossing arcade games of 1976 in Japan and the United States, respectively, while Speed Race DX was Japan's highest-grossing arcade video game of 1977. The game's use of vertical scrolling was also influential on later games.
Gameplay
Speed Race is a one or two-player racing video game where players controls a race car along a constantly-scrolling vertical road. The player uses a steering wheel to move the car left or right, and an accelerator to make it move faster. The objective of the game is to drive past other cars that scroll past the players under a 90-second time limit without colliding into them. The time limit and the player's score are displayed on an LCD panel placed above the monitor. Points are earned by driving past cars, with additional points being awarded based on how fast the car is moving. Colliding with a car resets the player's speed and starts them at the beginning of the track. The game ends when the time limit runs out, though the timer can be extended by earning a certain number of points. Two difficulty modes are available that increase the speed of the cars and the number of cars on the track.[6]
Development
Following the release of Atari's Gran Trak 10 earlier in 1974, Taito employee Tomohiro Nishikado decided to develop his own racing video game the same year; he did not enjoy Gran Trak 10, due to its twisting tracks and complex controls. Nishikado looked to two older electro-mechanical games for inspiration: Kasco's Mini Drive (1958) and Taito's 1970 rear-projection driving game Super Road 7, the latter in turn similar to Kasco's Indy 500 (1968) and Chicago Coin's Speedway (1969). Mini Drive and Super Road 7 involved driving a car down an endlessly scrolling road, with Super Road 7 also having the need to dodge cars in front of the player. Nishikado adapted these gameplay concepts into a video game called Speed Race. In order to simulate the scrolling effect and give the illusion of a moving background, he animated a background road image and modulated the speed of oncoming computer-controlled cars based on the player's speed.[7]
Reception
In Japan, due to the complexity of the hardware, Taito released Speed Race at a price point of 100 yen per play, compared to the standard 50 yen per play up until then. Despite this, the game became a major hit in Japan, establishing 100 yen as the standard price point for arcade games in Japan over the next several decades.[7]
In North America, the game became a hit when it was released by Midway there in 1975.[7] Wheels sold 7,000 arcade cabinets and Wheels II sold 3,000 for a combined 10,000 sold in the United States, making it the best-selling arcade game of 1975, according to sales figures provided by Ralph H. Baer.[8] In March 1976, the first annual RePlay arcade chart listed Wheels and Wheels II as the second top-grossing arcade game of the previous year in the United States, in terms of coin drop earnings (below Atari's Tank and Tank II), while the Racer version was the year's eight highest-earning arcade video game.[9] In October 1976, RePlay listed Wheels as the third highest-earning arcade video game of 1976 in the United States, below Sea Wolf and Gun Fight (both manufactured by Midway).[10]
The updated versions Speed Race DX and Speed Race Twin were among the top ten highest-grossing arcade video games of 1976 in Japan, with Speed Race DX at number-two (below Taito's Ball Park) and Speed Race Twin at number-eight.[11] Speed Race DX went on to be the highest-grossing arcade video game of 1977 in Japan, and second highest-grossing overall arcade game below Namco's electro-mechanical F-1, while the sequel Super Speed Race was among the top ten that year.[12] Speed Race Race V was later Japan's second highest-grossing arcade video game of 1978, just below Taito's own shoot 'em up hit Space Invaders.[13]
Legacy
The game's use of vertical scrolling was influential on later games. One of the games it influenced was Atari's Hi-way (1975), which added a sit-down cockpit cabinet like older electro-mechanical games.[14]
Series
Speed Race spawned numerous variations and sequels released by Taito and Midway in arcades.[3]
| Title | Manufacturer | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Race | Taito | November 1974 |
| Racer | Midway | February 1975 |
| Wheels | Midway | March 1975 |
| Speed Race DX | Taito | August 1975 |
| Wheels II | Midway | August 1975 |
| Speed Race Twin | Taito | April 1976 |
| Super Speed Race | Taito | December 1977 |
| T.T. Speed Race | Taito | June 1978 |
| Super Speed Race V | Taito | July 1978 |
| T.T. Speed Race CL | Taito | October 1978 |
| Speed Race CL-5 | Taito | October 1978 |
| Super Speed Race | Midway | November 1979 |
| Super Speed Race GP V | Taito | December 1979 |
| Super Speed Race Jr. | Taito | June 1985 |
Titus Software's Automobili Lamborghini (1997) for the Nintendo 64 was later re-branded Super Speed Race 64 for its Japanese release, which was published by Taito in May 1998.[15]
Notes
References
- ^ a b "Video Game Flyers: Speed Race, Taito (EU)". The Arcade Flyer Archive. International Arcade Museum. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Video Game Flyers: Speed Race, Leisure & Allied Industries (AU)". The Arcade Flyer Archive. International Arcade Museum. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 40–1, 124. ISBN 978-4990251215.
- ^ Wolf, Mark J. P. (2008). The Video Game Explosion: A History from PONG to Playstation and Beyond. ABC-CLIO. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-313-33868-7.
- ^ Smith, Alexander (19 November 2019). They Create Worlds: The Story of the People and Companies That Shaped the Video Game Industry, Vol. I: 1971-1982. CRC Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-429-75261-2.
- ^ a b Speed Race Operating and Maintenance Manual, p. 3
- ^ a b c Smith, Alexander (19 November 2019). They Create Worlds: The Story of the People and Companies That Shaped the Video Game Industry, Vol. I: 1971-1982. CRC Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-429-75261-2.
- ^ Baer, Ralph H. (2005). Videogames: In the Beginning. Rolenta Press. pp. 10–3. ISBN 978-0-9643848-1-1.
- ^ "The Nation's Top Arcade Games". RePlay. March 1976.
- ^ "Profit Chart". RePlay. October 1976.
- ^ "本紙アンケー 〜 ト調査の結果" [Paper Questionnaire: Results of the Survey] (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 65. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 February 1977. pp. 2–3.
- ^ "調査対象5年間のベスト1" [Best 1 of the 5 Years Surveyed] (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 159. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 February 1981. p. 1.
- ^ "人気マシン・ベスト3" [Popular Machines: Best 3] (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 113. Amusement Press, Inc. February 1979. pp. 2–3.
- ^ Barton, Matt (8 May 2019). Vintage Games 2.0: An Insider Look at the Most Influential Games of All Time. CRC Press. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-000-00092-4.
- ^ "スーパースピードレース 64". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
Bibliography
- Speed Race Operating and Maintenance Manual (PDF). Taito. 1974.