Street Racer

• Release Date: 1977
• Genre: Racing
• Style: Miscellaneous Racing
• Similar Games: Auto Racing [Sears] (Intellivision)

Game Description

Designed for use with Atari's paddle controllers, Street Racer was one of the

original nine titles released when the Atari 2600 hit retail outlets across the nation. Up

to four players can race simultaneously in six types of games, totaling 27 variations in all.

In the self-titled series of games, your goal is to score points by dodging oncoming cars

while speeding along a track. In the Slalom games, you put on a pair of skis and steer

your way through a series of gates, scoring a point for every gate you pass.

Dodgem has you back in a car, this time dodging moving obstacles. In Jet Shooter you're a fighter pilot, flying a missile-shooting jet. Your job in this game is to shoot or avoid enemy aircraft. You get a point for every enemy you destroy.

In the Number Cruncher contest, your job is to run over numbers (2, 4, 6) on a track while riding a motorcycle. The higher the number, the more points you score. Last but not least, Scoop Ball has you catching balls and depositing them into a Computer Scooper. You score one point for every ball you catch and three points for every ball you deposit.

Each game ends when a player scores 99 points or when two minutes and 16 seconds have elapsed. When the difficulty switch set to 'A', the player loses a point for each collision he or she is involved in. The races run vertically, and the action is viewed from directly above the tracks.

Review: Overall

Unlike Night Driver (also for the Atari 2600), where the viewpoint is similar to that of an actual driver's, Street Racer eschews realism in favor of a vertical racing course similar to those found in Auto Racing for the Intellivision and Speedway for the Odyssey 2. Seeing as how Street Racer was released way back in 1977, when the Atari 2600 was brand spanking new, this lack of realism is certainly to be expected. What matters is whether the game is any fun. In a word: yes.

With its excellent analog paddle controllers, the Atari 2600 is the perfect system for this type of game. With a steady hand you can steer the vehicles with exceptional precision and timing. The controls, combined with the many game variations, make this one of the better racing games of the era.

The basic Street Racer part of the game is the best, but all of the variations are entertaining, especially Dodgem, where you can maneuver up and down the screen, and Jet Shooter, which actually lets you shoot oncoming enemies.

This cartridge is not bad as a one-player contest, but when you get a friend or three in on

simultaneous racing action, the game really heats up. Here's what you do: Pop up a bunch of popcorn, hook up four paddle controllers to your Atari 2600, plug in a copy of Street Racer and throw a party for three of your closest friends. You (and your guests) will be surprised at how much fun you'll have. The competition is fierce, the games are fun and easy to learn and no one has to wait their turn.

Review: Enjoyment

This is a fun game that will let you race and dodge obstacles at high speeds.

Review: Graphics

There are several types of vehicles, and they briefly scrunch up when in a collision.

Review: Sound

The sound effects are merely average.

Review: Replay Value

Playing the game by yourself can get old after awhile.

Review: Documentation

The manual provides information about (and a picture of) each game variation.

Production Credits