Nascar Original Speedway is an arcade game that was released in 1996 by SNK Playmore for the Playstation. The object of the game is to be the first player to collect a set number of points by either overtaking your opponents or preventing them from overtaking you. The game features 15 drivers that are famous for their races in the 1970s and 1980s. You can choose which type of car you want to drive (including the infamous yellow jacket!), and you can also pick your number of players. It’s a lot like Mario Kart, but without the items or the vehicles being interactive.
Nascar Original Speedway was originally going to be released for the Sega Saturn, but according to reports, the release was canceled when the Playstation did not perform well in Japan.
Origins Of Nascar Original Speedway
Nascar Original Speedway is based on the 1988 film, Nascar Movie, which was about the 1979 Winston Cup season. The game was first released in arcades in 1996 and was later ported to the Playstation. The arcade game was programmed by Masaya Games (which is now known as Limited Run). You can watch the trailer for Nascar Movie above if you’re unfamiliar with the film.
The 1988 film Nascar Movie was a critical and commercial flop when it was released. However, its popularity has grown over the years, particularly among older generations. One of the reasons for this is that it was one of the first films to star Richard Simmons, a pioneer of body building who also happened to be the grandson of President Richard Nixon. So, it goes to show you that even seemingly insignificant events from your childhood may one day become popular due to your great-grandparents’ connections!
Nascar Original Speedway was inspired by this cult film and the nostalgia for the golden moments of the 1970s and 1980s that it evokes. The game’s main focus is on providing an experience similar to that of watching an actual Nascar race. The gameplay mainly consists of following the orders of the drivers you’ve chosen (hence why it’s a bit like Mario Kart). The more you play, the more you’ll learn the ropes and improve your racing skills. There are four game modes in Nascar Original Speedway: Time Trial, Career, Tournament, and Exhibition.
Classic Car Gameplay
You start out in Classic Car mode, where the only thing that changes from lap to lap is the number of cars on the track. The goal is to complete a lap as fast as you can while avoiding accidents. You can also view your time and compare it to the times of other players. It’s a great way to learn how to drive, because you can always improve your time by practicing. The catch is that it’s incredibly boring and can become repetitive after a while, which is why this mode is only available in the tutorial area of the game (accessed via the pause button).
Career Mode is the standard Nascar game mode, where you start out with a certain number of points and, as you earn more points throughout the race, your car’s color will change. The goal is to accumulate the most points. You can also view your performance in comparison to that of other drivers, as well as compare your performance over time. This mode allows for some strategy, because you have to consider how much time you have to accumulate the points you need to upgrade your car.
The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour is a competition between you and up to two other players, with the winner being the first to reach a pre-set number of points (50 for the first round, 25 for the second, and 12.5 for the third). The object is to be the first player to reach three yellow flags (a red flag would also count as a yellow flag). Each round is timed, so you have to keep an eye on the clock as well to determine who’s in front and who’s behind. In a traditional Nascar race, the first to reach the checkered flag is the winner. In The Grand Tour, the first player to cross the finish line is the winner, regardless of who crossed the line first. This mode requires some strategy, because it’s easy for someone to gain an unfair advantage just by being the first to cross the line.
Tournament Mode is similar to Career Mode, but instead of earning points, you accumulate match wins. You’re supposed to win every match you participate in. If you lose, you either have to wait a certain amount of time before you can play again (which gets progressively longer as you lose more and more often) or if you’re ranked low enough (depending on the settings), you’ll have to wait until your performance improves.
Single-Player Versus Multiplayer
Nascar Original Speedway supports up to four players in versus mode. In this mode, you can choose from any of the 15 classic Nascar drivers and take on either one or two computer-controlled opponents. If you’re playing single-player, it’s easy enough to just pick random opponents, because the computer will select two players at random to play against you. If you’re playing against other humans, you have to pick specific opponents by entering their names into the game’s interface. You can find this under the Options menu in the pause screen, where you can also review your stats from each game, as well as compare your performance to that of other players.
Key Differences Between The Arcade And Console Versions
The arcade version of Nascar Original Speedway is quite a bit different from the console versions. First of all, the controls are a bit awkward; you have to use the d-pad to move your car (rather than using the analog stick as in other games). You also can’t steer your car in the direction you want by simply tapping the directional button, you have to constantly monitor the movement of the car as it turns. As with the other racing games, you have to avoid obstacles and stay within the track (though there’s no actual penalty for running off the track).
All in all, it’s a fantastic game that will bring back memories of a bygone era and provide hours of entertainment for fans of classic car racing.