Steeplechase (arcade game)

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Steeplechase
Developer(s)	Atari Inc.
Distributor(s)	Atari Inc.
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release date	North America 1975
Genre(s)	sports simulation
Input methods	6 oversized buttons
Cabinet	unique
CPU	discrete
Sound	Amplified Mono (one channel)
Display	Horizontal orientation, raster (black and white), Standard Resolution, color overlays

Steeplechase is an 6 player arcade game by Atari Inc., originally released in 1975^[1]. Developed by Atari subsidiary Kee Games, it simulates a Steeplechase style horse race.

Contents 1 Technology 2 Gameplay 3 Legacy 4 References

[edit] Technology

Originally called AstroTurf, all pcb's still have the name on the board^[1]. The game is housed in a custom extra wide cabinet that six individually colored and lit buttons used to make a player's horse jump. The monitor is a 23" black and white CRT monitor with 6 color overlays to make each of the 6 horizontally stacked lanes match their colored button counterparts. Sounds include a bugle, galloping hoof beats, and crowd cheers.

[edit] Gameplay

Up to six players can play against each other, each choosing a horse. Each player's horse begins galloping, and the player must jump over obstacles in their lane by pressing their colored button. The horse that successfully jumps all obstacles smoothly becomes the fastest horse and wins.

[edit] Legacy

• A European version was released by Löwen-Automaten.^[2].
• A port for the Atari 2600 was released in 1980, programmed by Atari and distributed under Sears' Tele-Tames label. ^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Steeplechase Killer List of Video Games Entry. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.
2. ^ Steeplechase German Flyer. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.
3. ^ Yarusso, Albert. Steeplechase entry. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.