- Release Date: 1987
- Genre: Racing
- Style: Formula-1/Indy Racing
- Similar Games: Pole Position (Commodore 64/128), Speed Racer (Commodore 64/128), Pole Position (Atari Video Computer System), Final Lap 2 (Arcade), Final Lap 3 (Arcade), Pole Position (Arcade), Race Drivin' (Arcade), Speed Racer (Arcade), Race Drivin' (Sega Genesis), Speed Racer (PlayStation), Pole Position (Intellivision), Exhaust Note (Arcade), Pole Position (Atari 5200), Speed Racer (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), Pole Position (Vectrex), Pole Position (Texas Instruments TI-99), Race Drivin' (Game Boy)
Game Description
Final Lap is a 3D racing game which will stick you behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for a ride on a race track. Race alone or against a friend as you navigate a track full of plenty of twists and turns. You better make full use of your gear shift, because you'll need it to survive long enough for the showdown at the final lap. There are several courses to choose from, each one with a checkpoint at the finish line which must be reached within a certain amount of time to keep racing. The screen includes a look in your rear view mirror so that you can see your opponents coming up behind you, and every car is a stick shift.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
This game's roots hearken back to every racing game ever made which has placed you on a track in an authentic-looking car. Pole Position is probably its immediate ancestor.Final Lap had two sequels: Final Lap 2 and Final Lap 3, released in 1991 and 1992, respectively. This was one of the final collaborations between Atari and Namco.
~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Final Lap is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things. It looks and plays a lot like Pole Position; given the fact both were put out by Atari, it's probably safe to say that Final Lap is a souped-up version of the previous game's code base for newer players who perhaps want a little more from a racing game.One very good reason why you probably won't want to play this game very often, though, is the fact that you're racing against yourself if you don't have an opponent sitting next to you. There's not much of a sense of accomplishment when you finish the race first in a field of one. Even with a friend, you can't finish lower than second, which is pretty silly. There are computer-controlled cars on the track, but they're around as obstacles more than anything else.
The controls are good. The steering is tight, which is nice for handling U-shaped turns, and you have a shifter which lets you choose between low and high gear (you can't pick an automatic car in this game). You'll need to master the art of shifting since you don't have a brake pedal, which is another detractor, although not a major one.
The visual set-up is okay. Your rear-view is broken into two separate screens for some reason, and there is a track map with your place on it, not that it matters if you're going solo. The game is timed with one checkpoint coming at the finish line, instead of several along the way. Using several checkpoints would have been preferred because it gives you a better chance to make the next checkpoint and keep going. Having only one makes it too hard, and, really, this game already does too much to make it harder for you to play. Why dump your money into Final Lap when there are lots of other better designed racing games to choose from?
~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Let me count the reasons why this game isn't fun at all ...~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Adequate but not great.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Nothing to write home about. Standard fare.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
The only redemption is the chance for head-to-head~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
You don't need many instructions, and they're printed on the game anyway.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
