Sega made some truly amazing games for the arcades, and their driving games were some of the best. While modern titles like Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport are two of the biggest names in the genre, they owe everything to Sega’s classic 1986 title Out Run. This was a 3D driving game which saw you race against the clock to reach certain checkpoints or the game is over. After the stage was completed. you would choose a patch to take, with one being easier and one offering more of a challenge. These different routes would in turn give a different outcome at the end of the game.
A fun fact is that creator Yu Suzuki initially planned to make the game an adaptation of the film Cannonball Run but changed his mind when he wanted the game to have a more European feel to the environments. As a result of this, Out Run had a more international appeal and found attention in all parts of the world. That being said though, the influences of the movie Cannonball Run are still there in some form but tweaked with international tastes into a new type of driving game altogether.
Out Run felt like a tech demo for what gaming could become in the future, while also having extremely fun gameplay in its own right. Rather than trying to catch up with other racers and get past them, the game was all about getting to the next checkpoint in time. This was something different at the time and would help give rise to the modern driving sim genre and many 90’s arcade racing games. Out Run also had amazing music as well, which aided to the overall experience of the game. There would be more music added in later ports, and each subsequent port would attempt to add something new in terms of game design or music.
Out Run would receive many follow-ups, such as the amazing Outrunners (which has yet to receive a true port of the arcade version and not just an in name only port), Turbo Out Run, and eventually Outrun 2. Its legacy would reach further though, with the aforementioned Gran Turismo and Forza, and even Nintendo’s Cruis’n series. Arcade Racing, and driving games in general owe a debt to Out Run and the path it laid out. It is a true classic and one that holds up well today. I would suggest checking out the Sega Ages release on Nintendo Switch, for the definitive port of the game.
In addition, I would like to add that there is an active Sega retrogaming Facebook community group you can join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/segaretrogamers/
For more, visit Retro Gamers Hub (www.retrogamershub.com) for their extensive collection of retrogaming interest groups to choose from.