Summary

Release Year: 1993
Genres: Racing, Shooter, Simulator
Platforms: Sega CD
Developers: Hammond & Leyland
Publishers: Sega

Racing Aces (1993): A Classic Arcade Dogfighting and Racing Game

Released in 1993, Racing Aces is a classic arcade game that combines the excitement of dogfighting with the adrenaline of racing. Players take control of World War 1, World War 2, and modern day fighting aircraft and compete in races that are as much about shooting down your enemies as they are about crossing the finish line first.

The game features a variety of tracks, each with its own unique set of challenges. Players must navigate through tunnels, dodge obstacles, and avoid enemy fire while trying to stay ahead of the competition. The tracks are also littered with power-up balloons that can give players extra weapons and speed.

Racing Aces was a critical and commercial success, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is considered to be one of the best arcade games of its era, and it is still fondly remembered by many who grew up playing it.

Gameplay

Racing Aces is a fast-paced, action-packed game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. Players control their aircraft with a joystick and two buttons, one to fire their guns and one to use their special weapon.

The game’s objective is to cross the finish line first, but players can also earn points by shooting down enemy aircraft. Points can be used to purchase upgrades for the player’s aircraft, such as new weapons and increased speed.

Racing Aces features a variety of different aircraft, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players can choose from biplanes, fighter jets, and even helicopters. Each aircraft has its own unique set of weapons and special abilities, so players must choose the aircraft that best suits their play style.

The game also features a variety of different tracks, each with its own unique set of challenges. Players must navigate through tunnels, dodge obstacles, and avoid enemy fire while trying to stay ahead of the competition. The tracks are also littered with power-up balloons that can give players extra weapons and speed.

Power-Ups

Power-ups are an important part of Racing Aces. They can give players a significant advantage over their opponents, so it is important to collect as many as possible.

There are a variety of different power-ups available in the game, including:

Speed Boost: Increases the player’s speed for a short period of time.
Invulnerability: Makes the player invincible to enemy fire for a short period of time.
Homing Missiles: Fires homing missiles that automatically track down and destroy enemy aircraft.
Spread Shot: Fires a spread of bullets that can hit multiple enemies at once.
Laser: Fires a powerful laser beam that can destroy enemy aircraft in one hit.

Power-ups are randomly placed on the tracks, so players must be on the lookout for them. Collecting a power-up will activate it immediately, and the effect will last for a short period of time.

Strategy

There are a few different strategies that players can use to win in Racing Aces. One strategy is to focus on shooting down enemy aircraft. This can be a risky strategy, but it can also be very rewarding. If players can take out their opponents early on, they will have a much easier time winning the race.

Another strategy is to focus on collecting power-ups. Power-ups can give players a significant advantage over their opponents, so it is important to collect as many as possible. Players should try to collect speed boosts and invulnerability power-ups in particular, as these can help them to stay ahead of the competition and avoid enemy fire.

Finally, players can also try to use the environment to their advantage. The tracks in Racing Aces are filled with obstacles, such as tunnels and walls. Players can use these obstacles to block enemy fire and to make it more difficult for their opponents to catch up.

Legacy

The game has been ported to a variety of different platforms over the years, including the Sega Saturn, the PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. It has also been included in a number of retro game compilations.

Racing Aces is a classic arcade game that is still worth playing today. It is a fast-paced, action-packed game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. With its variety of aircraft, tracks, and power-ups, Racing Aces offers a lot of replayability.

Review Score

8/10

Developer: Hammond & Leyland

Racing Aces (1993)