Wipeout (1995): Redefining Anti-Gravity Racing

While customary racing games frequently enough focus on wheeled vehicles, the original Wipeout made a splash by fully abandoning that convention. This futuristic racer, released alongside the first PlayStation in the mid-90s, helped to mature the gaming landscape.

Players navigated narrow, winding tracks filled with sharp turns and steep slopes. Mastering the game’s unique handling,where vehicles responded with a sensitive touch and even a slight collision could be devastating,was key to success.Once players adapted to the high speeds and demanding courses, they could glide through the circuits with finesse.

Wipeout’s success as a launch title in Europe was no accident. It distinguished itself from the more cartoonish aesthetics of consoles like Super Nintendo and Mega Drive, appealing to an older audience.

Chase HQ (1988): High-Speed Police Action

Stopping the suspects meant one thing: their repeated collision at the utmost speed until their car was burning…

Before Grand Theft Auto popularized crime in video games, Chase HQ put players in the role of undercover cop Tony Gibson, partnered with RAYMOND BRADY.Their most important ally was a Porsche 928, complete with a prominent red nitrous button.

Guided by orders from NNCY at headquarters, players engaged in high-speed pursuits of criminals driving luxury sports cars like the Lotus Esprit, lamborghini Countach, and Ferrari 288 GTO. Each stage began like a typical arcade racer: reach the target within 60 seconds while avoiding traffic. Upon locating the “criminals,” indicated by an arrow, the blue lights flashed, and the chase began.

Forget realistic maneuvers; this was an arcade game from the 80s. Stopping suspects involved repeatedly ramming their vehicles at top speed until they were wrecked. The series continued with titles like Super Chase: Criminal Termination, suggesting an escalation of controversial tactics.

The idea of a police force investing in Porsches instead of standard patrol cars is undeniably appealing.

Hard Drivin’ (1989): A Pioneering Simulation