Top Gear (video game)

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Top Gear (Top Racer in Japan), is a 1992 video game for the Super NES, published by Kemco and developed by Gremlin Graphics. This is the first game in the Top Gear franchise. The game is of the genre racing, and is one of the first such games to be released on the SNES. The purpose of the game is for the player to become the fastest driver in the world, by racing competitors across several countries.

1 Gameplay
2 Cars
3 Countries and their courses
4 Music
5 Sequels

[edit] Gameplay

When players first start the game, they are given several options to customize their game, including name entry, a choice of four different controller configurations, a choice between automatic and manual transmission, and their choice of four unique cars. During the race, the player will have to steer and shift gears (if they chose a manual transmission). The player is also given control over three "nitros", which allow the player to increase their speed for a short period of time. The game features a system of password save, with the passwords featuring automotive terms such as "gear box" and "oilcloth". Each password grants access to another country to race in. During the race, there are pits in which players must stop in order to refuel. If the fuel ends and the vehicle stops before the race is finished, the game automatically ends and the player will be disqualified.

[edit] Cars

The four cars available in Top Gear.

Cannibal (red) - The Cannibal is the fastest vehicle available, however, it has the slowest acceleration of the four cars, and is the least fuel efficient.

Sidewinder (white) - The Sidewinder is the most fuel efficient vehicle available, and also has the fastest acceleration.

Razor (purple) - The Razor is middle-range in terms of top speed, but has slower acceleration, less tire grip, and a higher fuel consumption than the Weasel.

Weasel (teal) - The Weasel is equally middle-range to the Razor in terms of top speed, but has faster acceleration, more tire grip, and higher fuel efficiency than the Razor.

[edit] Countries and their courses

[edit] USA

Tracks typically feature smooth corners and long straights.

[edit] South America

Tracks typically feature tight and frequent corners.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Machu Picchu, Peru
Chichen Itza, Mexico (not technically a South American country)
Rain Forest, Brazil

[edit] Japan

Tracks are typically longer than in other countries, allowing both for more straights and more corners.

[edit] Germany

Tracks are typically long enough to require the player to return to the pits.

[edit] Scandinavia

Tracks are typically short, with quick smooth corners and short straightaways.

[edit] France

Tracks are typically long, with frequent, sharp turns. Usually long enough to require visiting the pits. This country features one of the toughest courses in the game.

[edit] Italy

Tracks are typically long, with smooth corners and long straights, useful for gaining speed with nitros.

[edit] United Kingdom

Tracks that are typically long, with sharp corners and steep hills for gaining speed.

[edit] Music

The music was composed by Barry Leitch. The title track of Top Gear is also the music heard on completion of Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 on the Commodore Amiga (also composed by Barry Leitch. "Bliss" a song by British band Muse is extremely reminiscent of Top Gear's title track. Brazilian band MegaDriver made a heavy metal version of another (untitled) song in the game which they entitled "Mad Racer".

==Bugs==

There´s a strange bug wich allows a human player to finish the race in two places at the same time, obtaining the respective points of each position. This bug occurs when the player hits the finish board in the last lap, at a certain position. The car will "finish" the race, will hit the board, going reverse for a while until before the finish line and will cross it again, but in the next position (ex: passes at 3rd and 4th).