Super Off Road
Encyclopedia
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. In 1991, an NES
version was later released by Leland's Tradewest
subsidiary followed by versions for most major home formats, including Sega Genesis, Super NES
, Amiga
and MS-DOS
.
In the game, up to 3 players (4 in the NES version through use of either the NES Satellite
or NES Four Score
) compete against each other or the computer in racing around several top-view indoor off-road truck
tracks of increasing difficulty. There are eight different tracks and 99 races altogether. All races are raced more than once. First place results earn the player points to continue in the championship and money with which to upgrade their truck or buy more nitro. The goal is to reach the end of the season with the most money earned. Continue
s are available but whereas players can get extra money in the arcade version, in the home versions, the player's money is reset to 0. This is one of the first games where the player could upgrade his or her vehicle by earning points or money (although in Atari Games
' Sprint
series, one could upgrade their racer using wrenches), a system that is used in most arcade-style racing games today.
The Super NES version was notable for prominently featuring the Toyota brand; the name and logo were displayed on various tracks, and pre-race music was inspired by the "I love what you do for me Toyota" jingle that was used by the company's marketing campaign at the time of the game's release. This version also lacked any licensing or reference to Ivan Stewart, replacing him instead with the late Mickey Thompson
in the gray truck. The NES version does have the Toyota label on its cartridge art, but otherwise the ad is not present.
The game was not originally developed or published by Williams, Midway
, or Atari Games but by the Leland Corporation (which was acquired by WMS Industries, the holding company of said developers, in 1994). Both the Arcade version of the game and its "Track Pack" upgrade can be found in Midway Arcade Treasures 3
. However, it does not have the "Ironman" Ivan Stewart license, and as such is known simply as "Super Off Road", with the white, computer controlled car being "driven" by "'Lightning' Kevin Lydy" (in the original arcade cabinet, the white car is "driven" by Ivan Stewart). While Kevin Lydy is a real person, he is not an off road racer. He is, in fact, one of the graphics staff on the original arcade game, continuing the previous tradition regarding the CPU drivers.
and is based on the Baja 1000
race. The format was changed to a third person camera instead of an overhead camera. In 1997 an arcade sequel was released, Off Road Challenge
which again adopted the third person 3D driving view and was ported to the Nintendo 64
a year later. The second sequel Offroad Thunder
was released in arcades in 1999, but not ported to consoles until the release of Midway Arcade Treasures 3
six years later.
Ivan Stewart
Ivan "Ironman" Stewart is an off road racing driver.-Racing career:In 1973, Ivan was scheduled to co-drive in the Ensenada 300 in a Class 1-2 buggy. His co-driver broke his leg, so Stewart drove the car, and won the race. After some wins under his belt, he joined Toyota factory team in 1983 for...
's Super Off Road is an arcade video game released in 1989 by Leland Corporation
Leland corporation
The Leland Corporation was a manufacturer of several arcade video games in the 1980s and early 1990s. Notable among these were Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp in 1991, the long-anticipated follow up to the hugely successful Dragon's Lair from 1983 and Super Off Road, which spawned an expansion and two...
. Virgin Games produced several home versions in 1990. In 1991, an NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
version was later released by Leland's Tradewest
Tradewest
Tradewest is a now-defunct American video game company based in Corsicana, Texas that produced numerous games in the 1980s and early 1990s. The company is best known as the publisher of the Battletoads and Double Dragon series in North America and the PAL region.The Tradewest name was revived in...
subsidiary followed by versions for most major home formats, including Sega Genesis, Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
.
Gameplay
NES Satellite
The NES Satellite is a Nintendo Entertainment System accessory created by Nintendo, and released in 1989.The Satellite allows up to four players to play the NES anywhere in the room without the necessity of wires running from the NES to the players' controllers. To use, a small infrared receiver...
or NES Four Score
NES Four Score
The NES Four Score is an accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System created by Nintendo. It allows four-player gameplay on games that supported it. The Four Score was released in 1990....
) compete against each other or the computer in racing around several top-view indoor off-road truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
tracks of increasing difficulty. There are eight different tracks and 99 races altogether. All races are raced more than once. First place results earn the player points to continue in the championship and money with which to upgrade their truck or buy more nitro. The goal is to reach the end of the season with the most money earned. Continue
Continue
Continue may refer to:*Continue , an option to continue a video game after all the player's lives have been lost*Continue , a 2008 Cantopop album by Pakho Chau*Continue , a programming language keyword-See also:...
s are available but whereas players can get extra money in the arcade version, in the home versions, the player's money is reset to 0. This is one of the first games where the player could upgrade his or her vehicle by earning points or money (although in Atari Games
Atari Games
Atari Games Corporation was an American producer of arcade games, and originally part of Atari, Inc..-History:When, in 1984, Warner Communications sold the Atari Consumer division of Atari Inc...
' 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:...
series, one could upgrade their racer using wrenches), a system that is used in most arcade-style racing games today.
Licensing
In the original arcade game, the red, blue and yellow CPU trucks were 'driven' by "Madman" Sam Powell, "Hurricane" Earl Stratton and "Jammin'" John Morgan, respectively. The names were taken from the development staff: Sam composed the music, and Earl and John were two of the software programmers. The Track Pack added "Steamin'" Steve High, and "Hot Rod" John Rowe, representing graphics and project direction, respectively. By using these names, this meant that further licensing deals were not required.The Super NES version was notable for prominently featuring the Toyota brand; the name and logo were displayed on various tracks, and pre-race music was inspired by the "I love what you do for me Toyota" jingle that was used by the company's marketing campaign at the time of the game's release. This version also lacked any licensing or reference to Ivan Stewart, replacing him instead with the late Mickey Thompson
Mickey Thompson
Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an American off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group . He also raced in dragsters and land speed record automobiles.Thompson was born in Alhambra,...
in the gray truck. The NES version does have the Toyota label on its cartridge art, but otherwise the ad is not present.
The game was not originally developed or published by Williams, Midway
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
, or Atari Games but by the Leland Corporation (which was acquired by WMS Industries, the holding company of said developers, in 1994). Both the Arcade version of the game and its "Track Pack" upgrade can be found in Midway Arcade Treasures 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3 is a compilation of arcade and racing games for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. It is the third and final installment following Midway Arcade Treasures and Midway Arcade Treasures 2.-Games:...
. However, it does not have the "Ironman" Ivan Stewart license, and as such is known simply as "Super Off Road", with the white, computer controlled car being "driven" by "'Lightning' Kevin Lydy" (in the original arcade cabinet, the white car is "driven" by Ivan Stewart). While Kevin Lydy is a real person, he is not an off road racer. He is, in fact, one of the graphics staff on the original arcade game, continuing the previous tradition regarding the CPU drivers.
Upgrades
The track pack was an add-on board for arcade units that contains eight brand-new tracks: Shortcut, Cutoff Pass, Pig Bog, Rio Trio, Leapin' Lizards, Redoubt About, Boulder Hill and Volcano Valley. It also gave the brand new ability to choose between either the normal truck or the dune buggy; both vehicles had different characteristics accordingly and added a new element to the game.Sequels
Super Off Road gained a number of sequels, the first was titled Super Off Road: The Baja. It was released for Super NintendoSuper Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
and is based on the Baja 1000
Baja 1000
SCORE Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in November. The Baja 1000 is part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that include the Baja 500, San Felipe 250 and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions in place of the Primm 300 which had...
race. The format was changed to a third person camera instead of an overhead camera. In 1997 an arcade sequel was released, Off Road Challenge
Off Road Challenge
Off Road Challenge is a video game developed and published by Midway Games. This game originally released in 1997 for the Arcade using the Midway V Unit hardware. This game eventually released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998 developed by Avalanche Software and published by Midway Games...
which again adopted the third person 3D driving view and was ported to the Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
a year later. The second sequel Offroad Thunder
Offroad Thunder
Offroad Thunder is an offroad racing arcade game released in 1999. It forms part of Midway's "Thunder" series of racing games, which also includes Hydro Thunder, 4 Wheel Thunder, and Arctic Thunder and is itself an evolution of Off Road Challenge.Offroad Thunder was included in Midway Arcade...
was released in arcades in 1999, but not ported to consoles until the release of Midway Arcade Treasures 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3 is a compilation of arcade and racing games for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. It is the third and final installment following Midway Arcade Treasures and Midway Arcade Treasures 2.-Games:...
six years later.