The video games of our youth have probably helped shaped us into the car people we are today. Let’s honour them with just five examples that deserve a fresh remake.
1) Rally X (Arcade 1981 - Midway)
Our oldest game here was also famously the loudest game in the arcade. You'd be able to locate it easily even in the thick digital ambience thanks to the classic BANG! whether left to its own devices in the demo mode or when a player would succumb to its high difficulty and prang their blue car into one of the villainous red cars.
Gameplay was achingly simple. Collect race flags in a treacherous maze filled with baddies and obstacles. Your weaponry was twofold; outright collision avoidance and that wonderful smoke button, a diversionary tactic that would incapacitate the enemy vehicles long enough for you to beat a retreat. So really it's Pacman with grand prix cars. Now imagine a 2018 version with HD graphics and optional VR technology and noises via a 7.1 surround system with subwoofer for low frequency baseline explosions and you get why Rally X deserves a comeback.
2) Daytona USA (Arcade 1994 - SEGA)
It's the father of the modern arcade racing experience and a true blockbuster; one of the largest-grossing arcade titles ever. Even today it is almost infinitely multi-playerable and has barely lost any of its shine in the 24 years it's been around. But technology has moved on leaps and bounds since then and the king of arcade racers must fend off much more exciting rivals today in both arcades and home-gaming. Daytona deserves a multi-million rand upgrade to make it a market leader once again. Come on SEGA, put us back in the Hornet racecar again for old time sake.
3) City Connection (NES 1985 - Jaleco)
Now, hold on – I know what you’re thinking. City Connection was a fun distraction at best, sort of Elevator Action with cars. But this is 2018 where Rocket League reigns supreme. That’s a game where you’re essentially playing a match of soccer with cars. Clearly arcade silliness is not lost on today’s generation. Endow a modern version with the zeitgeist graphic-set and you’d have something exceptionally riveting. Hell, stick it on a Nintendo Switch if you really want to out-gimmick everything else on the market.
4) Super Off Road (Arcade 1989 – Leland Corporation)
Also known as Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road, this was the one with three steering wheels jutting from its cabinet for immediate 3-player madness. It was noisy, but not in the usual way – the music coming out of the speakers wasn’t exactly memorable but the garrulous sound of three crude metal helms being twirled enthusiastically (and inaccurately) till they eventually fell off was probably an indication of how much entertainment could be twisted out of this old coin-op. More please.
5) Out Run (Arcade 1986 - SEGA)
This one featured an excitable blonde copilot who would reward your excellent driving or berate you if she found you lacking, and she often would. Think of it as the unofficial video-game adaptation of Burt Reynolds’ Cannonball Run. Look, SEGA's Out Run series cannot be lauded enough for being the father of many similar racing titles. But the truth is it already got its sequel as Out Run 2 in 2003 and sadly while the game was hugely enjoyable thanks to gorgeous scenery and a too-easy-ignore drift mechanic, it ultimately struggled with depth which isn’t a really fair criticism since arcade games in general are shallow by design, in the hope of swallowing all your tokens lickety-split. Can we please give this Ferrari Testarossa-themed classic a real chance at a more longevity-oriented home instalment please?
