Taito Grand Prix: Eikou heno License

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Taito Grand Prix: Eikou heno License
Title Screen
Developer(s)	Taito
Publisher(s)	Taito
Platform(s)	Famicom
Release date	^JP December 18, 1987 ^[1]
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single Player
Rating(s)	n/a (not rated)
Media	6-megabit Cartridge
Input methods	Famicom controller(s)

Taito Grand Prix: Eikou heno License (タイトーグランプリ栄光へのライセンス, Taito Grand Prix: Eikou heno License^?)^[2] is a Japan-only Famicom game that takes the player through randomized street racing and the various circuits of Formula One. The video game was released in the year 1987. There are over 15 stock car tracks and 8 Formula One tracks. Open mode allows the player to practice each course individually while "normal mode" forces the player to race every single course at a time until the end. In the regular car games, there is a countdown that counts to zero (0).

Being unable to pass through time extending checkpoints and allowing the timer to turn to zero means an automatic game over. In the Formula One mode, however, the time counts up and this challenges player to finish a course as quickly as he or she can. There are three kinds of music and a blank soundtrack for people who are in the mood for "authentic driving." Interesting backgrounds to drive through include farms, stadiums, cities, and beaches. Compared to its closest competitor, World Grand Prix for the Sega Master System, the graphics and sound are vastly superior in quality. Each car has three gears and only come in manual transmission. Automatic transmission buffs will have to look elsewhere for their thrills.

Like an arcade driving game, there is no damage factor. The player can flip his or her car all he or she wants; only time is wasted. Advertising in this game includes a special cameo for Kohhy, which is a Japan-exclusive record label. The sponsorship was used because the songs were part of an album released by that recording company. The player starts out with a Mini Cooper. He or she must work in order to get promoted to the sports car. If the player is good enough, he or she will eventually get to drive a Formula One car. Trophies can be earned by finishing first on certain courses in all three levels of competition. The "normal mode" uses a password system that combines letters of the Latin and Japanese alphabet.