Grand Prix Simulator
Encyclopedia
Grand Prix Simulator is a racing game developed by The Oliver Twins and published by Codemasters
for the ZX Spectrum
, Amstrad CPC
and Commodore 64
computer systems. The ZX Spectrum conversion was done by Serge Dosang. A sequel, Grand Prix Simulator II, was released in 1988
for the same platforms.
or Super Off Road
. The player controls a car on the track, while the computer controls the other. Each race is three laps around the track. If the player wins a race, they progress to the next track. The game is over when the player loses a race or disqualifies himself/herself by crashing.
Points are earned for winning a race and extra points are given for picking up bonus items that appear on the track. Oil spots can also appear on the track that, if driven over, cause the player's car to spin, losing time.
The game can also be played competitively by two players.
, Ghost Hunters
and RoboCop.
showed a very similar gameplay and even cover (featuring a red car number 27). Ironically, not long time ago Codemaster itself had been sued by Activision
for intelectual property violation relating Super Sprint
.
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
for the ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
, Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
and Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
computer systems. The ZX Spectrum conversion was done by Serge Dosang. A sequel, Grand Prix Simulator II, was released in 1988
1988 in video gaming
-Events:*June — Nintendo releases the last issue of "Nintendo fun club news";*July — Nintendo releases the first issue of Nintendo Power magazine.-Notable releases:*January 8, Konami releases Super Contra....
for the same platforms.
Gameplay
The game is designed so that the player is looking down on the track from an overhead view, similar to arcade games such as BadlandsBadlands (video game)
Badlands is a 1989 arcade game published by Atari Games. It was later ported by Domark under the Tengen label to a number of home computers. It is set in the aftermath of a nuclear war and races around abandoned wastelands with many hazards...
or Super Off Road
Super Off Road
Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road is an arcade video game released in 1989 by Leland Corporation. Virgin Games produced several home versions in 1990...
. The player controls a car on the track, while the computer controls the other. Each race is three laps around the track. If the player wins a race, they progress to the next track. The game is over when the player loses a race or disqualifies himself/herself by crashing.
Points are earned for winning a race and extra points are given for picking up bonus items that appear on the track. Oil spots can also appear on the track that, if driven over, cause the player's car to spin, losing time.
The game can also be played competitively by two players.
Voice output
The game was notable at the time for its use of sound samples on limited 8-bit hardware. The game counts "Three...two...one...go!" to start the race, announces the player's status after winning, losing, or crashing, and says "Game over!" to end the game . Other games of the era that produce sampled voice output include Super Robin HoodSuper Robin Hood
Super Robin Hood is a platform action video game featuring Robin Hood released in November 1985 by Codemasters. The game was developed by the Oliver twins on the Amstrad CPC at the age of 17 and was their first title published by Codemasters....
, Ghost Hunters
Ghost Hunters (video game)
Ghost Hunters is an platform/action video game written by the Oliver twins for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum platforms and published by Codemasters in February 1987. The game combined platform-style action with shooting gameplay similar to that found in the game Operation Wolf...
and RoboCop.
Critical reception
Grand Prix Simulator was rated an average of 19/20 in Amstrad User magazine, 7 out of 10 by Your Sinclair and, across all platforms, sold over a quarter of a million copies.Trivia
In 1988 Codemaster demanded Alternative Software because its title Formula Grand PrixFormula One (1985 video game)
Formula One is a Formula One racing management videogame published in 1985 by CRL Group PLC, developed by G.B. Munday and B.P. Wheelhouse for the ZX Spectrum, and converted to Amstrad CPC by Richard Taylor....
showed a very similar gameplay and even cover (featuring a red car number 27). Ironically, not long time ago Codemaster itself had been sued by Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
for intelectual property violation relating Super Sprint
Super Sprint
Super Sprint is a 1986 arcade game by Atari Games. The player drives a Formula One-like car on a circuit that is viewed from above.-Gameplay:...
.