Street Racer (Atari 2600)
Encyclopedia
Street Racer is an early racing video game developed for the Atari 2600
, then known as the VCS (Video Computer System). It was programmed by Larry Kaplan
and released by Atari
in February 1978 as one of the nine Atari 2600 launch titles.
was the other. Street Racer offered 27 game variations, grouped into the following sub-games:
Each of the sub-games has roughly the same gameplay: the player controls a vehicle that must avoid or collect certain objects as they scroll down the screen. Between one and four players can compete simultaneously by using the paddle controllers, which allow the vehicle to move left and right along the bottom of the screen. If a one-player game is selected, the player competes with a static computer opponent that allows objects to collide with it or pass by.
's 1982 games Barnstorming
and Grand Prix
, were able to offer improved graphics and gameplay.
In a 2007 interview, Kaplan was asked what he would change about any of the games he had written:
Both The Video Game Critic
and Gamasutra
have described the "Number cruncher" sub-game as a highlight of the game.
The Video Game Critic gave the game a "D" rating.
Kaplan later went on to become one of the founders of Activision, where he created and programmed Kaboom!, one of the 10 top-selling games for the Atari 2600.
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
, then known as the VCS (Video Computer System). It was programmed by Larry Kaplan
Larry Kaplan
Larry Kaplan is an American video game designer and programmer. He initially worked at Atari and was responsible for a lot of their sales. Due to the lack of recognition for his work, he left Atari and became one of the five co-founders of Activision....
and released by Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
in February 1978 as one of the nine Atari 2600 launch titles.
Details
Street Racer was one of the two launch titles programmed by Kaplan; Air-Sea BattleAir-Sea Battle
Air-Sea Battle is a game developed by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600, and was one of the nine original launch titles for that system when it was released in October 1977...
was the other. Street Racer offered 27 game variations, grouped into the following sub-games:
- 1–6: Street racer
- 7–12: Slalom
- 13–16: Dodgem
- 17–20: Jet shooter
- 21–24: Number cruncher
- 25–27: Scoop ball
Each of the sub-games has roughly the same gameplay: the player controls a vehicle that must avoid or collect certain objects as they scroll down the screen. Between one and four players can compete simultaneously by using the paddle controllers, which allow the vehicle to move left and right along the bottom of the screen. If a one-player game is selected, the player competes with a static computer opponent that allows objects to collide with it or pass by.
Reception
As one of the earliest games written for the platform, Street Racer suffered from unattractive, blocky graphics. According to Kaplan himself, later racing games released for the Atari, such as ActivisionActivision
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...
's 1982 games Barnstorming
Barnstorming (video game)
Barnstorming is an Atari 2600 video game designed by Steve Cartwright and published by Activision in 1982. Barnstorming was the first game designed by Cartwright...
and Grand Prix
Grand Prix (video game)
Grand Prix is one of the first side-scrolling racing video games, made in 1982. It was developed by Activision for the Atari 2600. This game was later incorporated into the Activision Anthology....
, were able to offer improved graphics and gameplay.
In a 2007 interview, Kaplan was asked what he would change about any of the games he had written:
Both The Video Game Critic
The Video Game Critic
The Video Game Critic is a website focused on video-game reviews and run by David Mrozek. It was established in 1999, and is known for featuring comprehensive reviews on many early gaming platforms.-History:...
and Gamasutra
Gamasutra
Gamasutra is a website founded in 1997 for video game developers. It is owned and operated by UBM TechWeb , a division of United Business Media, and acts as the online sister publication to the print magazine Game Developer...
have described the "Number cruncher" sub-game as a highlight of the game.
The Video Game Critic gave the game a "D" rating.
Kaplan later went on to become one of the founders of Activision, where he created and programmed Kaboom!, one of the 10 top-selling games for the Atari 2600.