If you
were to have read all of the instructions accompanying this latest
offering in MIL's 'Top Ten' series, you'd be forgiven for thinking
that it could possibly be the ultimate 3-D race game. In fact, it is
a Cosmi title dating back to 1984 and I'm afraid it's probably the
very worst race game currently available!
Graphically, TALLADEGA bears more than a passing resemblance to
'Pole Position', although on closer inspection it is inferior in
design, colouring and animation. For example, the grass is grey(!),
your car always remains static — even when cornering — and the
general movement of vehicles can be somewhat unpredictable. Sound is
fairly mediocre, consisting of roars, beeps and an uninspiring theme
tune, but on the whole the effect is reasonably acceptable and if it
were not for the comments to follow, I wouldn't hesitate to
recommend the game.
You have a choice of racing on the `Tri-Oval' or a random circuit,
although the random one seems to be virtually identical every time
(Bug #1). Then it's onto the qualifying lap, which you are
supposedly aiming to complete in as little time as possible in order
to gain a favourable position on the starting grid. However, if you
do go as fast as possible the race will suddenly terminate at a
certain stage with the erroneous message `Lap time exceeds 149.9
seconds' (Bug #2). Going slowly is the only safe way to assure an
interrupted completion! Regardless of what place you eventually
manage to obtain on the grid, the race proper then commences with
you in third slot, Richard Petty in second and someone called `I.M.Fast'
in Pole position (Bug #3). Richard Petty immediately overtakes
I.M.Fast and stays in first or second place for the remainder of the
race.
Opposing cars don't always appear from the horizon or behind —
sometimes they simply materialize out of thin air, often just a
short distance in front, causing an accident and again, termination
of the race (Bug #4). The top speed is 250mph, although 290mph can
be achieved with Turbo-boost, and other `unavailable' speeds between
these two have frequently been experienced! (Bug #5). It is also
possible to slipstream so as to conserve fuel — one of TALLADEGA's
more commendable features. Fuel levels and tyre wear are indicated
above the main play area, so that you may judge when a pit stop is
necessary. Here's a novelty — when you enter the pits, all of the
other cars stop dead in their tracks and time stands still!! (Bug
#6).
Also symbolized are various status flags, and the name of the driver
immediately ahead of you. Since it's impossible to drop any further
back than second position — even when stationary — this never
displays anything other than Richard Petty or 'Player is in 1st
place'! (Bug #7).
These are just a selection of the many problems plaguing TALLADEGA.
Without doubt it's the most bug-ridden commercial game I've been
unfortunate enough to experience for a long time.
Paul Rixon
Published by Maynard International Ltd. £1.99.on cassette
- 1 player with joystick
