Brought to you by the makers of the OG Slick 80 and the Supertrail, Ferris Wheels are back with a vengeance! With the likes of Scott Steiner, Danny Hester, and Ricky Johnson gracing the cover of nearly every issue in the last few years, you’d think that the plastic dinosaurs that chased after cars back in the day were somehow resurrected and set loose in a corner of the Mojave Desert. Sorry, dudes! The original Super Speedway is not yet another re-creative of the 80s metal-racing scene. It’s actually a game that was inspired by, and shares more than a little DNA with, the classic childhood pastime of speedway racing. But before you dismiss the game as yet another nostalgic trip back to the days of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, you might want to give it a try. It’s available on the App Store and Google Play, and it’s free. So let’s have a go, shall we?
A Brief History Of Speedway Racing
Traditionally, American Indians played a form of speedway racing in which they’d use large rubber bands to bind the wheels of their racing vehicles. The bands would stretch from one side of a town to the other, and the team who could complete a lap around the entire track before their opponents would win. These races were popularized in the early 1900s when motorists began utilizing public roads in the vicinity of large cities. The cars of the day were horse-drawn carriages, and many well-known figures in American history were involved in some shape or form in the early days of speedway racing. It was originally thought that the sport died out in the 1960s, but a group of dedicated speedway enthusiasts started the National Championship of Auto Racing (NCAR) in 1968. Nowadays, the Indianapolis 500 alone is considered the Super Bowl of American motorsport.
Why Does The Original Super Speedway Work?
There are a few reasons why the original Super Speedway works. First off, the game is simply fun to play. It’s hard to put into words the feeling you get when you pull up to the starting line and see all the yellow cars waiting for the gun to go off. Then, after the initial exhilaration of the countdown and the roar of the crowd, you settle into the race itself and begin to play out a slow-paced championship. Finally, being able to share your triumphs and tribulations with like-minded individuals through a messaging system that’s integral to the game is a satisfying end to the day’s racing. It might not sound like everyone’s idea of the perfect Sunday afternoon, but for those who give it a whirl, the nostalgia isn’t all that fades away.
What Makes The Original Super Speedway Different?
Besides being a kick-ass game, the original Super Speedway also has a few differentiating factors. First off, while the concept of a traditional auto racing game involves going around in circles, the cars in the original Super Speedway actually move forward. Second, the game allows you to pit your cars against the clock. Third, the cars have a tendency to disappear during the middle portion of the race. Finally, the game is a 2D side-scrolling racer, which many players might find a little more challenging than a standard 3D auto racing game.
Features
The original Super Speedway is a challenging 2D side-scrolling racer that rewards patient gamers who can master the game’s timing-based challenges. It also offers a fun and nostalgic trip back to the golden era of American motorsport.
To start things off, the game emphasizes quick reflexes and sharp eyesight more than speed or straight-line driving. The tracks are spread out over 12 different regions of the desert, so there’s plenty to keep your eyes open for. Additionally, if you miss a turn or have trouble keeping up with the other cars, you’ll likely find yourself in an accident. The good thing is, you’re not dead yet, and you have the opportunity to start over again. So take that, Random AI Car That Nearly Killed You!
Playable Characters
While the majority of the cars are yellow and stand for peace, the original Super Speedway also features some of the most iconic American automobiles of all time. And no, the Dinosaurs That Saved US Do Not count as playable characters. The characters that you can play as include: