A debate raged within the Repco Garage office as the editorial team discussed the best racing games to have graced the shelves of Kmart, Target, Big W, JB HI-FI, Brashs and EB Games, representing each decade of the console or PC.
It was a vigorous discussion as the team remembered some ace titles such as Mario Kart, Need For Speed, Forza, Colin McRae Rally/Dirt, V8 Supercars, Toca Touring Cars, Gran Turismo, Burnout, Daytona, Sega Rally and even some old timer suggested Geoff Crammond’s Grand Prix!
Racing games continue to play an important role in bringing new fans to motorsport by making it accessible no matter the age or budget. It also provides an experience of driving dream machines from the world’s most exotic brands or halo models available not only in the current marketplace, but from the past. Lately, the development of technology allows drivers to complete preparation for race events the realism has become so good.
So here is the result from this discussion, a reflection through time of racing games starting with the 1990s:
1990s
Geoff Crammond’s Grand Prix
If Pole Position was a trailblazer, then Geoff Crammond’s Grand Prix further added to the mystique of Formula 1 racing by adding settings such as gear ratios, tyre compounds and wing angles to the game. Tunability became crucial to performance, which was matched with advanced frame rating of 25fps and impressive 3D graphics. Another to have further games released during the decade, it inspired many to enter the game of racing.
Mario Kart
More than 30 years later, this is game continues to be played by millions around the world and is easily the most popular motorsport game ever sold. Mario Kart was introduced in 1992 and has since sold more than an estimated 152 million copies worldwide as it spreads the racing message across young children and adults alike. Up to eight can play the game featuring weapons such as turtle shells and circuits including the iconic Rainbow Road, Mario Kart continues to provide fantastic fun.
Gran Turismo
Going from an arcade style game to one advertised as The Real Driving Simulator, Gran Turismo was launched in 1997 and raised the game in graphics, physics as well as car list. It truly was a masterpiece from Kazunori Yamauchi, who worked for five years to develop the perfect racing game and at the time it achieved this forcing many other gaming titles to do the same. Tunability in this game made it stand out as mechanical and exterior modifications ensured the most mundane road car was turned into a beast. Gran Turismo continues to be upgraded progressively each title released and has even launched real life motorsport careers through the GT Academy. A movie is about to be released covering the story.
Need For Speed
Another long enduring title is Need For Speed. Launched as Road and Track presents The Need For Speed in 1994, this game has continued to rapidly develop during the last 30 years. Taking inspiration from Test Drive, the Need For Speed franchise built on it by adding police chases, a wide array of cars and later extensive modification through Underground by embracing the ‘Tuner’ culture. It has since led to other offshoots including Hot Pursuit, Underground, Most Wanted, Carbon, ProStreet, Undercover, Shift, Nitro, World, Rivals, No Limits, Payback, Heat and the latest, Unbound. Australian models also featured throughout including HSV’s Clubsport and Ford’s Falcon XR8 in the fourth edition named High Stakes.
Sega Rally/Daytona
Arcade gaming began popularity in the 1970s and 1980s before exploding in 1990s due to the accessibility as well as relative cheapness. Pole Position may have led the way in the 1980s, but Sega Rally and Daytona became iconic staples of the next decade. Sega Rally gave the option to players of surface and cars featuring Group A stars of the early 1990s being the Toyota Celica GT-Four alongside Lancia’s Delta Integrale. Daytona was also developed by Sega, which features different difficulties, manual or automatic shift, multiple circuits and uses Rally’s successful checkpoint gameplay. For many players, it’s their first introduction to racing.
Crash Team Racing
Using its star character Crash Bandicoot, Sony tried to take on Nintendo’s Mario Kart using exotic locations as the backdrop for the circuits, drifty physics and multiplayer options. One for the non-gamers and a favourite to this day in various iterations.
Colin McRae Rally/V-Rally
A hero to many rally fans, Colin McRae helped develop the game holding the honour of carrying his name as it raised the bar for rallying titles. Physics, damage, rally scheduling and even a school ensures this title is an instant classic. Featuring eight models, teams, drivers and nations in the 1998 World Rally Championship, it is a game remembered fondly and has continued to this as the DiRt franchise. V-Rally was a more arcade style game featuring not only proper rallies, but also racing on stages and had a legend of its own, Ari Vatanen as consultant. It replicated the physics of a real car and led onto four sequels.
TOCA Touring Cars
Developed using the cars and drivers of the 1997 British Touring Car Championship, TOCA Touring Cars took advantage of the amazing era for the series back then to build a game around it. Codemasters produced a game featuring damage, great physics for the time and commentary from Tiff Needell. It led to a new game in 1998, which further improved the breed and became a big winner for the BTCC by expanding its reach across the world. A World Touring Car Championship title came out in 2000 featuring various models including Holden vs Ford as well as Bathurst as a playable circuit. It also led to…
And you’ll have to find out in the next edition.