My Favourite C64 Race Games No.20
Pole Position
Atarisoft
1984
A solid conversion of the game that launched a thousand racers, with colourful graphics, good sound & decent gameplay. It was quickly overtaken (see what I did there!) by better racers, but when first released it was pretty darn cool.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.19
Out Run
US Gold
1988
Converting the state-of-the-art arcade sensation to a 6-year-old 8-bit micro was never going to be easy. C64 Out Run is fast & initially good fun but the ropey controls and linear gameplay (you can’t choose your route) is disappointing.
(Link to the fascinating backstory of C64 Out Run)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-10-13-the-boy-behind-the-biggest-coin-op-conversion-of-the-80s
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.18
Super Sprint
Electric Dreams
1987
The classic 2D overhead racer got a sound C64 conversion that looks a lot like the original with cool car sprites & well drawn tracks. Instantly addictive & fab in 2 player mode, its marred by dodgy collision detection & a few annoying bugs.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.17
Kik Start
Mastertronic
1985
Okay, it can be frustrating as hell, but Kikstart is top fun when you get the hang of it. Graphics & sound are unspectacular but the gameplay is fantastic and at £1.99 it was crazy good value. Wooooooooooo!
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.16
Tour de France
Activision
1985
Cars and motorbikes dominate the racer genre, but there are a few cycling titles out there and this is one of the best. Colourful, detailed graphics, nice music and lots of good old-fashioned joystick waggling gameplay. Tres Bon!
My Favourite #C64 Race Games No.15
Alleykat
Hewson
1986
Some may argue that Alleykat is a shooter, but it’s a future sport about racing, so I’m including it here. Incredibly polished with superb presentation & brilliant graphics, Alleykat is a tough but highly rewarding game.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.14
Professional BMX Simulator
Codemasters
1988
The BMX Simulator sequel has better graphics, more varied courses, & superb presentation (including slo-mo action replays), but the best thing about it is the simultaneous 4 player gameplay. Fantastic fun.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.13
Revs
Firebird
1986
Revs is a serious racing car simulator that requires a bit of time & practice before you reap its rewards. Brilliantly presented, and with excellent 3D graphics and highly compulsive gameplay, it’s a terrific racer.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.12
Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road
Virgin
1990
This quasi-3D Super Sprint / Racing Destruction Set mash-up is excellent. Smashing & jumping your way around the track & racing your opponents to the finish is fantastic fun. Still plays well today esp against friends.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.11
Spy Hunter
Sega
1983
Like Alleykat, Spy Hunter is an exciting mix of racing and blasting. Very impressive for 1983, it has nice graphics, super-cool music and immediately compulsive gameplay. An excellent conversion.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.10
Speed King
Digital Integration
1985
Inspired by Pole Position and the Speccy game Full Throttle, Speed King is a cracking motorbike racer that’s superbly presented, has fast 3D graphics and very good sound. Instantly addictive and great fun, it’s a top game.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.9
Trailblazer
Gremlin
1986
A kind of cross between of Pitstop 2 and Bounder, this split-screen 3D racer is very fast and enormous fun – especially in head-to-head mode. Simple but effective, it’s hugely addictive & incredibly enjoyable.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.8
Cosmic Causeway
Gremlin
1987
A very worthy sequel to Trailblazer, Cosmic Causeway looks, sounds and plays even better than its predecessor. Stunningly fast 3D, exhilarating action and superb Space Harrier influenced gameplay make it an absolute beauty.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.7
Rally Speedway
Commodore
1985
Simple but ridiculously playable, Rally Speedway is an absolute gem. It has basic graphics & sound but the gameplay - in 2 player mode especially – is amazing. Bags of humour and a track editor too. What more do you lot want?!
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.6
Stunt Car Racer
MicroStyle
1989
Geoff Crammond’s second entry on the list is a highly original and technically astounding game. Whizzing around rollercoaster tracks performing outrageous jumps and causing spectacular crashes is as much fun as it sounds.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.5
Kikstart 2
Mastertronic
1987
Shaun Southern was the master of the C64 racer. This is his 4th game on the list! (Kikstart, Trailblazer, Cosmic Causeway) and what a beauty it is. Slick presentation, great graphics, an ace track editor and brilliant gameplay. All for under £2? Shut up!
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.4
Racing Destruction Set
EA
1985
Racers are often at their best in two player mode and this is no exception. Chasing your mate around the track & smashing them off the road, dropping oil slicks in front of them & out jumping them on 0 gravity tracks is some of the best fun you can have with a C64.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.3
Super Cycle
Epyx
1988
The breadbin’s answer to Hang-on is an excellent game with the usual Epyx high standards of graphics, presentation and gameplay. Fast, thrilling and instantly addictive, it’s by far the best bike game on the C64.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.2
Buggy Boy
Elite
1987
More about fun and less about serious racing simulation, Buggy Boy is a brilliant game that’s stood the test of time incredibly well. Graphics and sound are good but it’s the outstanding gameplay that makes it. Timeless.
My Favourite C64 Race Games No.1
Pitstop 2
Epyx
1984
Part-coded by Impossible Mission’s Dennis Caswell, PS2 was mind-blowing in 1984. The speed, the exhilarating, cramp-inducing head-to-head action & the risk/reward strategy place it in pole position on my list of fave racers. Magnificent.
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