Lamborghini American Challenge DOS PC Game Review

                                             

Lamborghini American Challenge is a game developed by Titus in 1993. It was ported to several systems (DOS, Atari ST, Amiga CD32, SNES, Gameboy, & Commodore 64), I'm mainly reviewing the DOS CD Version released in 1994, but I'll mention some differences in the ports. American Challenge is an enhanced version of Crazy Cars III, released in 1992. The enhancements are a jazz soundtrack and a 2 player split screen mode. In the original Crazy Cars (1987), the player could drive several high end automobiles. In Crazy Cars II, 1987 (Also called Pursuit Simulator F40) focused on the Ferrari F40, and featured branching paths and a more realistic driving model. American Challenge is an arcade racer featuring the Lamborghini Diablo.

I first played Lamborghini American Challenge at an after school program I went to in the early 90s. It was on that computer I got exposed to some great games, and this was one of them! The kids there thought if you hold up (gas) and click the mouse you could go faster. That always really bugged me, but I really enjoyed this game, it has colorful graphics and great gameplay.

You play as a racer taking part in illegal street races throughout the US. You can choose between three characters, a woman and two men. At the beginning of each race you can bet against your opponents. Sometimes they will try to see your bet and outbet you, the winner takes all!

The gold stars are races you can take part in, as you win races the other locations in red unlock.

The colorful VGA graphics were great for the time, (I think still today) and had good variety. I thought it was awesome how cops could chase you. When cops pull up to a CPU opponent they will stop, you can outrun them. There are also other motorists that you have to watch out for, if you hit them it will slow you down and damage your Lamborghini, and you'll have to spend more on repairs after the race.

Winning prize money from the tournament will allow you upgrade your Lambo. Improve your top speed and get nitros! 

 I have three complaints about this game. There is no music as you race in the DOS and Amiga versions. In the SNES version music plays, I haven't tried the other versions. As you progress you upgrade your car, but your opponents can't which makes the game kind of easy. In the DOS version you can only save once every tournament, which is every 4 races. In the SNES version there is a password system.

These are minor complaints however. Some other differences in the ports: in the Amiga version the Lamborghini is orange and the sound quality isn't as high. The SNES version has music during the races and a more colorful world map. If the SNES mouse or Superscope is attached it activates another mode where the player can shoot opponents! I think American Challenge is a fun arcade racer, there are better games but this one is worth checking out if you like DOS racing games.

Check out my video review~!

Doom turns 22!

Doom turns 22 today! This classic first person shooter was developed by ID Software and released for PCs running MS-DOS on December 10th, 1993. It was distributed by mail order and floppy disc, but the game was so popular it would get installed at Universities and students procrastinated several hours playing it. Ports followed for Mac and consoles. Doom was unique for it’s level of violence. It was once called a “murder simulator” by critics.

It had amazing multiplayer, 4 player deathmatch and co op modes.

Doom's 3D graphics engine was advanced for the time, it was the first to feature multiple floors. Earlier first person shooters like Wolfenstein 3D only had single floors. Even though the engine was rendered in 3D, this was actually just an illusion because the floors weren’t technically on top of each other, they had to be in parallel. It also featured outdoor environments.

I remember when I first played Doom, I think it was around 1994 so I would have been 9 years old. My Dad brought home a computer from work that was used to run a BBS. I remember thinking the graphics on the shotgun looked so realistic. I later got the Doom shareware from a store, I wish I got the mail order boxed version!

In 1995, it was estimated Doom was installed on more computers than Windows 95. When a Windows 95 version of Doom was released in 1996 called Doom95, Bill Gates put himself into the commercial. It was used to sell Windows 95 and push DirectX technology.

Doom had a sequel, Doom II: Hell on Earth, released in 1994. Doom 3 was released in 2004. Doom 4 will be a reboot, just called Doom expected to be released Spring 2016. With Doom 4 around the corner, now is a perfect time to play the original classic! It’s on sale on steam currently for $4.99. I recommend using a source port of Doom called Doomsday. Doomsday makes the graphics better, has mouse support, and cool features not present in the original like jumping. You can also play online using the Doomsday Shell.exe. Happy birthday Doom!