''Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road'' is an
arcade video game
An arcade video game takes player input from its controls, processes it through electrical or computerized components, and displays output to an electronic monitor or similar display. Most arcade video games are coin-operated, housed in an arca ...
released in 1989 by
Leland Corporation
The Leland Corporation was a manufacturer of several arcade video games in the 1980s and early 1990s. The company was formed when Tradewest purchased the ailing Cinematronics in 1987. Notable among these were Quarterback (1987) and John Elway's ...
. The game was designed and managed by John Morgan who was also lead programmer, and endorsed by professional
off-road racer Ivan Stewart
Ivan "Ironman" Stewart (born June 4, 1945) is an American professional off road racing driver.
Racing career
In 1973, Stewart was scheduled to co-drive (navigate) in the Ensenada 300 in a Class 1-2 dune buggy. His driver broke his leg, so Stew ...
.
Virgin Games
Virgin Interactive Entertainment (later renamed Avalon Interactive) was the video game publishing division of British conglomerate the Virgin Group. It developed and published games for major platforms and employed developers, including Westwoo ...
produced several home versions in 1990. In 1991, a home console version for the
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit third-generation home video game console produced by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan in 1983 as the commonly known as the The NES, a redesigned version, was released in America ...
was later released by Leland's
Tradewest
Tradewest was an American video game company based in Corsicana, Texas that produced numerous games in the 1980s and early 1990s. The company was the publisher of the ''Battletoads'' and ''Double Dragon'' series in North America and the PAL region. ...
subsidiary, followed by versions for most major home formats including the
Master System
The is an 8-bit
third-generation home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 and ...
,
Genesis
Genesis may refer to:
Bible
* Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of mankind
* Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Book of ...
,
Super NES
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), commonly shortened to Super NES or Super Nintendo, is a 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo that was released in 1990 in Japan and South Korea, 1991 in North America, 1992 in E ...
,
Amiga
Amiga is a family of personal computers introduced by Commodore in 1985. The original model is one of a number of mid-1980s computers with 16- or 32-bit processors, 256 KB or more of RAM, mouse-based GUIs, and significantly improved graphi ...
, and
MS-DOS
MS-DOS ( ; acronym for Microsoft Disk Operating System, also known as Microsoft DOS) is an operating system for x86-based personal computers mostly developed by Microsoft. Collectively, MS-DOS, its rebranding as IBM PC DOS, and a few ope ...
. A port for the
Atari Jaguar
The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it competed with the 16-bit Sega Genesis, the Super NES and the ...
was announced but never released. Some of the ports removed Ivan Stewart's name from the title due to licensing issues and are known simply as ''Super Off Road''.
Gameplay
In the game, up to three players (four in the NES version through use of either the
NES Satellite
The NES Satellite is a Nintendo Entertainment System multiplayer adaptor accessory (multitap), created by Nintendo and released in 1989 as a part of the NES Sports Set.
With select supporting games, the Satellite allows up to four players to pla ...
or
NES Four Score
The NES Four Score is a multitap accessory created by Nintendo in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Select games can utilize it to enable up to Multiplayer video game, four-player gameplay. The NES Four Score is similar to the previousl ...
) compete against each other or the computer in racing around several top-view indoor
off-road
Off-roading is the activity of driving or riding in a vehicle on unpaved surfaces such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Types of off-roading range in intensity, from leisure drives with unmodified vehicl ...
truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction ...
tracks of increasing difficulty. There are eight different tracks (twelve in the SMS version and sixteen in the SNES version) and 99 races altogether on most versions (the SNES version loops through 64 races without ending). All races are raced more than once. First place results earn the player points to continue in the championship and money with which to upgrade their truck or buy more nitro. The goal is to reach the end of the season with the most money earned.
Continues are available but whereas players can get extra money in the arcade version, in the home versions, the player's money is reset to zero. This is one of the first games where the player could upgrade their vehicle by earning points or money, an idea conceived by John Morgan (although in
Atari Games
Atari Games Corporation, known as Midway Games West Inc. after 1999, was an American producer of Arcade game, arcade Video game, games. It was formed in 1985 when the coin-operated Arcade game, arcade game division of Atari, Inc. was transfered ...
' ''
Sprint
Sprint may refer to:
Aerospace
*Spring WS202 Sprint, a Canadian aircraft design
*Sprint (missile), an anti-ballistic missile
Automotive and motorcycle
*Alfa Romeo Sprint, automobile produced by Alfa Romeo between 1976 and 1989
*Chevrolet Sprint, ...
'' series, the player could upgrade their racer using wrenches), a system that is used in many racing games today. The Spectrum version of the game was voted number 47 in the ''
Your Sinclair
''Your Sinclair'', or ''YS'' as it was commonly abbreviated, was a commercially published and printed British computer magazine for the Sinclair range of computers, mainly the ZX Spectrum. It was in circulation between 1984 and 1993.
History
The ...
Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time''. The game was ranked the 35th best game of all time by ''
Amiga Power
''Amiga Power'' (''AP'') was a monthly magazine about Amiga video games. It was published in the United Kingdom by Future plc, and ran for 65 issues, from May 1991 to September 1996.
Philosophy
''Amiga Power'' had several principles which com ...
''. ''
MegaTech
''MegaTech'' (sometimes styled with the katakana メガテケ) was a publication from EMAP aimed specifically at the Sega Mega Drive gaming market. The magazine was started in 1991. The launch editorial consisted of a small team including Paul ...
'' gave the game a score of 83%
Licensing
In the original arcade game, the red, blue, and yellow CPU trucks were 'driven' by "Madman" Sam Powell, "Hurricane" Earl Stratton, and "Jammin'" John Morgan, respectively. The names were taken from the development staff: Sam composed the music. John was the game designer and manager, lead programmer, initial track designer and wrote ray tracing software to create all vehicle art. Earl was the assistant software programmer, Hartono Titro was diagnostics programmer. The ''Track Pack'' added "Steamin'" Steve High and "Hot Rod" John Rowe, representing graphics and company ownership, respectively. By using these names, this meant that further licensing deals were not required.
The Super NES version was notable for prominently featuring the
Toyota
is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...
brand; the name and logo were displayed on various tracks and pre-race music was inspired by the "I love what you do for me Toyota" jingle that was used by the company's marketing campaign at the time of the game's release. This version also lacked any licensing or reference to Ivan Stewart, replacing him instead with the late
Mickey Thompson
Michael Lee "Mickey" Thompson (December 7, 1928March 16, 1988) was an American auto racing builder and promoter.
A hot rodder since his youth, Thompson increasingly pursued land speed records in his late 20s and early 30s. in the gray truck (primarily without approval from Danny Thompson). The NES version does have the Toyota label on its cartridge art, but otherwise the ad is not present.
The game was not originally developed or published by
Williams,
Midway, or Atari Games, but by the Leland Corporation (which was acquired by
WMS Industries
WMS Industries, Inc. was an American electronic gaming and amusement manufacturer in Enterprise, Nevada. It was merged into Scientific Games in 2016. WMS's predecessor was the Williams Manufacturing Company, founded in 1943 by Harry E. Williams ...
, the holding company of said developers, in 1994). Both the arcade version of the game and its ''Track Pack'' upgrade can be found in ''
Midway Arcade Treasures 3
''Midway Arcade Treasures 3'' is the third and final compilation of classic arcade games published by Midway Games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. This compilation includes 8 racing games that were not in the 2003 and 2004 releases '' ...
'' for the
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
and
Xbox
Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The brand consists of five video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming services, an online service by the name of Xbox network, and the development arm by the na ...
. However, it does not have the "Ironman" Ivan Stewart license and as such is known simply as ''Super Off Road'', with the white, computer-controlled car being "driven" by "'Lightning' Kevin Lydy" (in the original arcade cabinet, the white car is "driven" by Ivan Stewart), a real-life graphic designer on the original arcade game, continuing the previous tradition regarding the CPU drivers being named for its programmers.
''Super Off Road'' was also included in the 2012 compilation ''
Midway Arcade Origins
''Midway Arcade Origins'' is an arcade compilation released on November 6, 2012, in North America and in Australia. It is the successor to the ''Midway Arcade Treasures'' series, and includes a selection of games that were included in those compila ...
'' for the
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. The successor to the PlayStation 2, it is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first released on Novemb ...
and
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. As the successor to the original Xbox, it is the second console in the Xbox series. It competed with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation ...
.
Upgrades
The ''Track Pack'', released in 1989, is an add-on board for arcade units that contains eight brand new tracks: Shortcut, Cutoff Pass, Pig Bog, Rio Trio, Leapin' Lizards, Redoubt About, Boulder Hill, and Volcano Valley. It also features the brand new ability for players to choose between either the regular truck or the dune buggy, both computer generated by John Morgan; both vehicles have different characteristics accordingly and add a new element to the game.
Reception
''Replay Magazine'' rated the arcade version ''#1 Dedicated Video'' in its ''1989's Best Videos and Pins Special Report''.
''
Sinclair User
''Sinclair User'' was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum (while also occasionally covering arcade games). Initially published by ECC Publications, and later EMAP, it was publi ...
'' rated the arcade version an 8 out of 10 and recommended the game to anyone who enjoyed playing the ''Sprint'' games, calling ''Super Off Road'' "
Super Sprint
Super may refer to:
Computing
* SUPER (computer program), or Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer, a video converter / player
* Super (computer science), a keyword in object-oriented programming languages
* Super key (keyboard butt ...
with dirt".
[Super Off Road. Sinclair User. May 1989. p. 83.]
''
Electronic Gaming Monthly
''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (often abbreviated to ''EGM'') is a monthly American video game magazine. It offers video game news, coverage of industry events, interviews with gaming figures, editorial content and product reviews.
History
The m ...
'' gave the Lynx version a 3.75 out of 10, commenting that though ''Super Off Road'' was an excellent arcade game, the choppy animation and scrolling in the Lynx version make it almost unplayable.
Sequels
''Super Off Road'' gained a number of sequels, the first was titled ''
Super Off Road: The Baja'', programmed by John Morgan. It was released for the SNES in 1993 and is based on the
Baja 1000
The Baja 1000 is an annual Mexican off-road motorsport race held on the Baja California Peninsula. It is one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world, having attracted competitors from six continents. The race was founded by Ed Pearl ...
race. A
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master Syst ...
version of ''Off Road: The Baja'' was also planned but never released.
The format was changed to a third-person camera instead of an overhead camera. In 1997, an arcade sequel, ''
Off Road Challenge
''Off Road Challenge'' is a video game developed and published by Midway Games. The game was originally released in 1997 for arcades using the Midway V Unit hardware. It is part of the ''Off Road'' series which began with ''Ivan 'Ironman' Stewar ...
'', was released, which again adopted the third-person 3D driving view, and was ported to the
Nintendo 64
The (N64) is a home video game console developed by Nintendo. The successor to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it was released on June 23, 1996, in Japan, on September 29, 1996, in North America, and on March 1, 1997, in Europe and Au ...
in 1998. The second sequel, ''
Offroad Thunder
''Offroad Thunder'' is an offroad racing arcade game released in 1999. It forms part of Midway's "Thunder" series of racing games, which also includes ''Hydro Thunder'', '' 4 Wheel Thunder'', and ''Arctic Thunder'' and is itself an evolution of ' ...
'', was released in arcades in 1999, but not ported to consoles until the release of ''Midway Arcade Treasures 3'' in 2005.
References
External links
*
*
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Super Off Road
1989 video games
Amiga games
Amstrad CPC games
Arcade video games
Atari Lynx games
Atari ST games
Cancelled Atari Jaguar games
Commodore 64 games
DOS games
Game Boy games
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Nintendo Entertainment System games
Off-road racing video games
Game Gear games
Sega Genesis games
Master System games
Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Telegames games
Top-down racing video games
ZX Spectrum games
Video games scored by Sam Powell
Video games scored by Tim Follin
Video games developed in the United States
NMS Software games
Graftgold games