Chase H.Q. Arcade - Second Stage

Channel:

Cartridge Blow

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Published on June 4, 2025 5:01:05 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjBHU5D1Dro

Game:

Chase H.Q. (1988)

Duration: 0:00

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Ah, Chase H.Q. Taito’s 1988 high-speed cocktail of cop drama and turbo-charged arcade thrills. This isn’t just OutRun with a badge; this is Miami Vice meets The Dukes of Hazzard through the eyes of a Japan-born arcade cabinet that smells faintly of cigarette smoke and spilled cola.

You play as Tony Gibson, part of a no-nonsense crime-busting duo in a black Porsche 928 (yes, Taito just called it a "custom sports car" to dodge licensing). Your mission: catch up to fleeing criminals and ram their smug pixelated faces off the road. No tickets. No talk. Just justice at 120 MPH.

Chase H.Q. is divided into stages, each starting with a dispatch from Nancy (the voice of calm chaos), briefing you on your suspect. You’ve got a timer, a turbo boost, and a suspect who’s got a mile’s head start. It's pedal-to-the-metal arcade action—twisting roads, oncoming traffic, and explosive chases that demand twitch reflexes and perfect timing. Once you catch up, the timer resets and it's bumper-car brutality until you stop them cold.

In 1988, Chase H.Q. looked stunning. The pseudo-3D scaling gave a convincing illusion of speed, the car sprites were beefy and satisfying, and the explosions hit just right.
The music? A banger of synth-fueled urgency. This was the soundtrack of an '80s cop movie that never existed but totally should’ve.

Chase H.Q. wasn't just fun—it was cinematic. It blended the thrill of the chase with arcade urgency, and it added just enough story flair to make you feel like you were part of something bigger. It inspired sequels (Special Criminal Investigation and Super Chase) and countless spiritual imitators, but none quite captured the perfect balance of speed, aggression, and cop show cool.

Chase H.Q. is a timeless arcade classic. It’s fast, flashy, and full of arcade-era charm. You’re not racing to the finish line—you’re chasing justice. And in a world full of racing games, that still makes it feel different, even decades later.

#chasehq #retrogaming #cartridgeblow

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