This week, we’ve just got to with video game nostalgia. Lisa Kay just did a great piece about The Legend of Zelda turning 40 (as if we don’t already feel old). You can check that out here!
One that has been on my list for a while to share now is Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road. The memorable super-wide arcade cabinet with the ability for 3 players to drive off-road racing trucks while staring at bikini babes.
While Super Off Road isn’t turning 40 yet, it’s right around the corner. It was published in 1989 by Leland Corporation.
I feel like so many things made this simple yet highly entertaining arcade game great, which we’ll get into here. But as a veteran of the video game industry, I can’t help but appreciate a successful game developed by a small group of talent.
Super Off Road was designed, programmed, and composed by 3 people: John Morgan, Earl Stratton, and Sam Powell. If these names look somewhat familiar, they are also the drivers of the off-road racing trucks, along with the “Ironman” himself, Ivan Stewart.
The rules are simple. Win the race. The more races you win, the more money you earn. And the more money you earn, the more upgrades you can make to your truck. Then of course, the more upgrades you make to your truck… The more races you win!!
There are always 4 trucks on the course. Red, blue, yellow, and silver. But the silver truck, this one belongs to Ironman. Upon starting the game, you get a chance to enter your initials, and select which country you are driving for.
There are a total of 8 different race tracks and the game allows you to race a total of 99 races. Later released was a “Track Pak” add-on, which was a board for arcade cabinets providing 8 new race tracks.
Along the race track a few objects appear and are up for grabs as you race by. A wrench, which if you drive through it, provides a truck upgrade. A nitro boost can, which allows for quick bursts of speed. And a bag of cash, allowing for more upgrade options the next go-around.
The more winning you do, the longer you stay in the game. Even a chance to earn a spot on the leaderboard. If you find yourself unable to make the cut, have no fear. As long as you’ve got a roll of quarters on hand. Just keep feeding the machine and you can continue the game without losing your earnings.
The cabinet itself is equipped with three 360° steering wheels, three gas pedals, and three nitro buttons. The 360° steering wheel makes for some very loud and squeaky gaming. When you need to make those tight turns in a hurry, the person standing next to you better look out. And don’t even get me started about over correcting those sharp turns. You could very unintentionally drive in the wrong direction and not be able to come out of it!
The cabinet also has secret settings (developer settings) that allow for endless gameplay and supplies 99 nitro boosters!
Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road arcade game ranked high in the ratings from the beginning. Over the years the game was ported to various gaming consoles like NES and Sega Genesis. Several sequels have also developed for the Super NES and N64. There were also some re-releases of the arcade version for the PS2 and Xbox.
Stumbling upon one of these bad boys at the arcade always brings back some fun memories. I was definitely a wheel spinner and nitro boost hoarder. Unless there were 99 in my arsenal. Then it was nitro boosting all the way.