Formula One: Built to Win
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| Formula One: Built to Win | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Seta |
| Publisher(s) | Seta |
| Designer(s) | Sho. |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Release date | NA November 1, 1990 [1] |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single Player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: n/a (not rated) |
| Media | 4-megabit Cartridge |
| Input methods | Nintendo Entertainment System controller |
Formula One: Built to Win is a racing game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that is centered around its career mode. The player can enter in the first letter of his given name and his family name (up to 8 letters). After the player enters his name and starts out in his career mode, the player has to start out driving a Mini Cooper without an international racing license. From there, he must progress to higher performance cars. The Vector W8 and the Ferrari F40 are the vehicles of choice for most of the game. After winning enough races, the player then eventually moves on to some Formula One action in places like Las Vegas and Hawaii[2]. In order to race in Formula One cars, the player must acquire international racing licenses. In order to acquire licenses, the player must earn money, invest money, and win races. In a nutshell, it takes money to earn money to buy better parts so that the player can make even bigger money.
Contents |
[edit] Starting a Racing Career
The player starts in New York and must work his way to the West Coast. The last stop in the continental United States is considered to be Los Angeles. After that, the race courses in Hawaii are unlocked which provide dress rehearsal for the Formula One portion of the game. The Formula One portion of the game uses actual Formula One tracks from around the world. Due to the Gran Turismo-like nature that dominates the early part of the game, most major American racing competitions like the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500 are excluded from the game. Even though the American South serves as the origin of stock car racing in America, tracks from the NASCAR Winston Cup are not included the game. The reason behind the lack of actual NASCAR, IndyCar, or Champ Car tracks is because licensing from these professional racing leagues is absolutely non-existent.
[edit] Career and Financial Management
Because this game is based on the career of a race car driver who is trying to go from rags to riches, the beginning of the game provides a slow and conservative period that simulates the life of an inexperienced race car driver. However, the game eventually develops a faster pace near the end as players achieve financial wealth and eventually customize themselves an unbeatable car from the parts that they purchased in parts shops. With shrewd budgeting skills and luck at the in-game casino slot machines, it is possible to develop millionaire or even multimillionaire race car drivers[3]. Parts in this game vary in cost and tires can only be used a limited number of times before they have to be purchased again. However, the tires that have the worst handling can be used an unlimited number of times. The reason for this is because the sponsor is paying for these tires and not the player. The currency used in the game is the dollar and no other currency is used, even in the international level.
[edit] Real Life Settings
The first championship the player must face is in Niagara Falls for the Niagara Cup. Although the historic Niagara Falls is seen in the game, the urban setting is mysteriously absent. However, the game provides for some interesting turns, racing action, and some real-life backdrops including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and cities like Detroit and Los Angeles. The player may choose from one of three songs or no music at all. The first song is a calypso-type song, similar to the opening theme music of Viva Piñata. The second song has a heavier tempo; it may resemble a song from a 1980s new wave band. The third song also a has a pleasant melody; it sounds like carnival music and motivates the player to have fun while winning the races and earning money.
[edit] References
- ^ Release date. Game FAQs. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ Game information. Moby Games. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ Game information. Neo Seeker. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
