Ironman Ivan Stewart's Super Off Road, 1989 Leland Corp. (20 From 1989 #8)
12Way fun fixed screen racing game, with trucks! This is off-road territory, replete with ramps, hills, puddles, etc. on 7 different courses (or 8 if you play the kit upgrade "Track Pak"). Up to 3 players can race at once, with a 4th truck belonging to Ivan Stewart himself (an actual champion off road racer), in the gray vehicle. He will be a thorn in your side if you get any modicum of competence in this game. The difficulty seems to adjust to your ability, and Ivan will cut you some slack if you start to falter. To assist you in the race, you are allowed to use "Nitro", which boosts your speed temporarily-- this is limited in use and you can see how much you have left on the card which displays which lap you're on. You can either buy more Nitros in the mechanic shop between races or by running over a certain icon that appears intermittently on the course itself. You can also collect money bags that grant you more money-- yep; you don't score points in this game, you get money in lieu of a score. So that money is used in the mechanic shop to upgrade your acceleration, your tires, your top speed, or your shocks; and of course, you can buy more Nitros. Getting more money is simple enough-- you don't even have to finish first to get paid.. though, you will have to spend a credit to continue if you don't make first place. But the game will give you more money for continuing, and you can add credits to increase your purse! The upgrade kit "Track Pak" not only gives you 8 new courses, but you can also choose to race with a truck OR a dune buggy! Great fun, and a popular NES port surfaced shortly after. Later followed by DANNY SULLIVAN'S INDY HEAT. Stay healthy and happy, folks!