Speed Ace Review
Oh no, my expectations set high again. It was a long time ago I was about to play a motorcycle game. Before this Speed Ace review I did the mistake of reading to much about the game. In Magazines, on the webb and on the actual inlay as it recently was on my scanning tasks.
So to the game. It is a straight forward motorcycle race on track game – you have several tracks to choose from. But don’t prepare for any uplifting changes more to than the actual form of the track. One thing I put high when coming to circuit games is that the scrolling backgrounds should be really different. This to give that sensation that you are in a new place.
Even though I did light up when seeing that you could select Anderstorp as a circuit.
The steering is quite smooth and you learn quite fast what your maximum speed can be in the curves. Even though my highscore screenshot does not show it – it is possible to be nr 1.
The sound is rather annoying. I must say that the scrolling and the smoothness in the graphics is allright and decent in 80’s standards.
It is definitely a game worth it’s money as it came out cheap in a budget price range. In my humble opinion it is better than som full price titles in the same genre.
It is definitely worth a try, but I do believe that your patience will end before trying all tracks out.
In the Magazines
As with most budget releases, Speed Ace is only available on cassette. Being the first release for Zeppelin, they will be hoping for a huge success. When loaded you are presented with the main menu from which to select your race options. If you choose a one player game you will race against 19 other computer-controlled riders on a full screen. The scrolling is very fast and simulated speeds of up to 192 kph are possible. In two player mode you can race against a friend using a joystick plugged into port two.
The screen is split into two each half giving an independent view, with the two of you being the only riders. This technique slows the game down a little, but racing against someone other than the computer is great fun. You can choose between nine different race tracks with from one to nine laps on each, The circuits include Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Jarama, Paul Ricard and Daytona.
The inlay card says that the com-puter tracks are identical to the originals, but not knowing them personally I can’t dispute it —although Brian assures me they are. To control your bike, push for-ward on the joystick to accelerate and pull back to slow down. If you collide with another rider it results in you temporarily losing control and it will take you a little time to regain speed. Leaving the road or touching the kerb also slows you down dramati-cally, so take the bends at a com-fortable speed and it will pay off in the long run. I found that under 140 kph was a safe speed for bends.
After a race you are presented with the score table which shows the best time for that particular track and the time you have just achieved. It also shows what pos-ition you finished the race and the best position you achieved. The graphics are superb and the scrolling exceptionally well executed. Sound effects could be better — a catchy little tune on the main menu would have been nice. Having said that the constant sound of the engine revving and the crunch as you grate your legs into the ground as you go round a corner are adequate.
The feature I really liked was the way the bike leans to one side as it goes round corners; this is smoothly done and adds the fin-ishing touch to a super motorcycle game — the first of its type that I have seen for the 8 bit Atari’s.
At £2.99 this game is a bargain and must be a winner for Zeppelin and Atari computers alike. I will be very surprised if it doesn’t turn out to be one of the best sellers in 1988.
By Neil Fawcett for Atari User Vol 3 Nr 11 March 1988
On the Cover
Crank up a joystick, rev up and you’re off! This has to be the best racing game on two wheels for the ever popular Atari micros, and with the option of playing either 19 computer riders or pitting your motorcycle skills against a friend, it has got to be one of the most irresistible games around. Speed Ace is a version of a highly successful game’ which has barely been out of the charts in recent months, if not years, so it has a fine pedigree, and by the same authors too!
Before you wait some of the world’s most glamorous motorcycle circuits like our very own Silverstone and Brands Hatch, along with the best from abroad such as Paul Ricard, Jarama, and Monza, and each bend is as true to the real thing as you can get. So start getting the knowledge here and who knows how far you might go!
Related content
More Atari 800XL/400/130XE Covers
Our Collector Insights on Zeppelin games
Speed Ace Review Rating
In whole the game does not meet my expectations on a good circuit racing game. Motorcycles or cars does not matter. I think I’m generous enough when giving it two out of five zeppelins.
