Descpription:
Overdrive is an arcade-style motor racing game
which was written by Peter Johnson for the Acorn Electron and
BBC Micro and released in 1984 by Superior Software.
The game was probably inspired by the hugely successful
Namco/Atari arcade game Pole Position which was one of
the most popular arcade games when Overdrive was being developed.
Like Pole Position, Overdrive uses the "rear-view racer format"
but there are no bends in the track. The aim of the game is to
finish in the top 12 in order to qualify for the next track.
There are 5 different tracks but as there are no bends, the
only difference is the change in scenery (fields, night, snow,
desert and riverside scenes) as well as a change in the grip.
Points are awarded for the distance travelled as well as a bonus
given at the end of each level depending on the number of
computer controlled cars that have been passed. If the player
collides with another car, they explode and regenerate.
This can happen an infinite number of times but it wastes time
and many opponents will pass while the player slowly accelerates.
It is also common for opponents to crash into the back of the
player while they are still accelerating causing another explosion.
