Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Arcade, Racing
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
- Publishers: Leisure Genius
Scalextric: The Computer Edition (1985)
Scalextric: The Computer Edition is a one or two player racing game based on the popular Hornby slot car racing system. It was developed and published by Gremlin Graphics and released in 1985 for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC.
The game is a simple two-car, split-screen racing game. Cars cannot come off the track, but they do lose speed when driving along the track edge or when skidding in the chicanes.
Cars can crash, which occurs when one car hits another from behind at a speed that’s in excess of 20 mph. In a crash such as this, the car that’s behind automatically loses the race. However, if the cars are level, the race allows one driver to move sideways to push the other player out of the way, either to make passing easier or to distract the other player.
Each race can be for one or two players, and when racing against the computer, the player can select one of three difficulty levels to play against. Races can be from 1 to 99 laps long, and the player has a choice of racing on one of the two supplied circuits or designing their own.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Scalextric: The Computer Edition is simple but addictive. Players control their cars from a top-down perspective, and the goal is to be the first to cross the finish line. Cars can be accelerated, braked, and steered, and players must use all of their skills to stay on the track and avoid crashing.
The game features two different race modes: single-player and two-player. In single-player mode, players race against the computer, and in two-player mode, players race against each other.
There are three different difficulty levels in the game: easy, medium, and hard. The difficulty level determines how fast the computer-controlled cars are and how aggressive they are in their driving.
Tracks
The game comes with two pre-designed tracks, but players can also create their own tracks using the built-in track editor. The track editor is easy to use, and players can create tracks of any shape or size.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Scalextric: The Computer Edition are simple but effective. The cars are well-detailed, and the tracks are colorful and varied. The game’s sound effects are also well-done, and they add to the overall atmosphere of the game.
Reception
Scalextric: The Computer Edition was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its excellent graphics and sound, and its innovative track editor. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.
Legacy
Scalextric: The Computer Edition is considered to be one of the best racing games of the 1980s. It was one of the first games to feature split-screen multiplayer, and its track editor was groundbreaking for its time. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains popular with retro gaming enthusiasts today.
Overall
Scalextric: The Computer Edition is a classic racing game that’s still fun to play today. It’s a simple game to learn, but it’s challenging to master. The game’s excellent graphics and sound, as well as its innovative track editor, make it a must-play for fans of racing games.
Review Score
8.5/10
