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Power Drift

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Power Drift
Power Drift
Publisher: Sega, TurbografX-16/PC Engine Asmik, Commodore Amiga Amstrad CPC Atari ST Commodore 64 DOS-based computers (IBM PC) MSX ZX Spectrum Activision

Developer:

System(s): Sega Y Board, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum

ROM Size: Arcade 6976 kB[1]

Release Date RRP Code
Arcade World 1988-08  ?
Commodore Amiga UK 1989 £24.99 [2]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
Commodore Amiga UK (The Hit Squad) 19xx £7.99  ?
Atari ST UK 1989 £19.99 [3]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
Atari ST UK (The Hit Squad) 19xx £?  ?
Amstrad CPC UK (cassette) 1989 £9.99 [4]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
Amstrad CPC UK (disk) 19xx £14.99 [5]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
Amstrad CPC UK (The Hit Squad) 19xx £3.99  ?
Amstrad CPC ES (cassette) 19xx  ?Ptas AMC 768
Commodore 64 US (disk) 1990 $39.95  ?
Commodore 64 UK (cassette) 1989 £9.99 [6]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
Commodore 64 UK (disk) 1989 £14.99 [7]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
Commodore 64 UK (The Hit Squad) 19xx £3.99  ?
ZX Spectrum UK (cassette) 1989 £9.99 [8]Media:ACE UK 27.pdf  ?
ZX Spectrum UK (The Hit Squad) 19xx £3.99  ?
ZX Spectrum ES (cassette) 19xx  ?Ptas LYSEC-714
DOS-based computers (IBM PC) US 1989 $?  ?
MSX ES 1989  ?Ptas  ?
TurbografX-16/PC Engine JP 1990-04-13 ¥6,900 AS02002



Power Drift (パワードリフト) is a 1988 kart racing game developed for the Sega Y Board arcade platform. It was designed by Yu Suzuki and developed by his team at Sega AM2.

Gameplay

Like many games for the hardware, Power Drift makes heavy use of sprite scaling and rotation, often referred to as Super Scaler technology. It is one of the more ambitious efforts for what is largely considered "2D" hardware, attempting not only to simulate driving down a road (like OutRun), but hills and bridges, as well as a camera which can tilt as the player drives around corners. There are also twelve playable characters.

History

Arcade Version

It was the first kart racing game, predating Nintendo's Super Mario Kart by four years.

It made much use of sprite scaling & rotation to create a 3D effect. Improving on the "Super Scaler" technology and road scrolling effects of Hang-On, Out Run, and After Burner, Power Drift created all of its track layouts with flat bitmaps to simulate a wholly 3D space using strictly 2D technology.[9]

While less known in America, the arcade game was critically and commercially successful in Europe.

The January 1989 issue of Sinclair User gave the arcade version a Game of the Year award for Racing Game of 1988.[10]

The November 1989 issue of Commodore User praised the original arcade version as a "cartie-racing legend" in their review of the Amiga port,[11] and they gave the Commodore 64 version a generally high score for preserving the fast-paced gameplay of the arcade original.[12]

Home Computer Conversions

The game was ported to a number home computer platforms by Activision.

The home computer versions were commercially successful in Europe. The game went to number-one on the United Kingdom sales chart, above Continental Circus at number-two.[13]

Legacy

Unlike other works by Yu Suzuki, such as Space Harrier, OutRun, and After Burner. Power Drift skipped most home consoles and did not appear on a home Sega system until the release of a Sega Saturn conversion in 1998 (as Sega Ages Power Drift). It was instead ported to the PC Engine in Japan (by Asmik Ace Entertainment), and a variety of home computers in North America and Europe, including the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, TurboGrafx-16 and ZX Spectrum. All computer versions sacrifice many of the sprite effects, and though some were well received by the gaming press at the time, the limitations turn these versions into very different games.

The arcade version of Power Drift was also included in Yu Suzuki Game Works Vol. 1 for the Sega Dreamcast. The arcade version has never been re-released in the western world.

Unusual for Sega's "Super Scaler" arcade games, Power Drift was never ported to the Mega Drive console. Dempa was planning to port the game to the Mega Drive, but it was later moved to the Sega CD, before the project was eventually cancelled.[14]

A Sega Mega-CD port of the game was reportedly advertised in numerous Japanese publications, for release sometime in 1993.

The Sonic Drift games for the Sega Game Gear handheld console were based on the gameplay of Power Drift, but with characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series.[15]

Production Credits

Arcade Version

Amiga Version

Programmed by ZZKJ
Graphics by Saul
Music by Uncle Art
Produced by Neil
©1988 Sega Enterprises Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Activision UK Ltd
Authorised User.
Game ©1989 Activision
A Software Studios Production

Amstrad CPC Version

(C) Sega 1989
(C) Activision Ltd. 1989.
Coding by John Mullings
Graphics by Clive Paul
Music and FX by Dave Lowe.
A Software Studios Production

Commodore 64 Version

Code: Chris Butler
Music: Dave Lowe
©SEGA®1988,1989
Activision authorized user

MSX Version

(C) Sega 1989
(C) Activision Ltd. 1989.
Coding by John Mullings
Graphics by Clive Paul
Music and FX by Dave Lowe.
A Software Studios Production.
MSX Version by New Frontier.
Coding by Zydro
Music by MC Alby

ZX Spectrum Version

(C) Sega 1989
(C) Activision Ltd. 1989.
Coding by John Mullings
Graphics by Clive Paul
Music and FX by Dave Lowe.
A Software Studios Production

PC Engine Version

Original Concept: Sega Enterprises Ltd.
Conversion to PC Engine: Asmik

  • Programming: Ishikawa, Kudo Johnny B. Good Eiji
  • Music: Don
  • Graphics: Metali Kawachi
  • Test Play: Push Pop Masa, Onetakesan, George, Andlle Kazama
  • Special Thanks: C. S. All Stars
  • Music Programming: Ishikawa
  • System Creator: Eiji Kudo, Ishikawa
  • Special Advisor: Hiroshi Okamoto, Kazuyuki Takasaki
  • Tools: TRR Team
  • Data Organisation: Baja Baja Kudo
  • Visual Sketch: Metali Kawachi
  • Music Direction: Bakabon Papa
  • Graphics Direction: Zepher
  • Program Direction: Kyusyu Danji
  • Coordinator: Push Pop Masa
  • Producer: Kazuyuki Takasaki
  • Director: O-Boss Y.
  • Support: Nanchan, Mariko Koizumi, Michiyo Sugawara, Gim Keiko
  • Jammer: Meko Saitou, Kaeru Sakurai, Yuco Matui, Hokken Katsu, Taikon, Nari Ozzy
  • Ochakumi: Jyoshidaisei Yuriko, Nari Ozzy, Naaa Kaaa Jieee
  • Executive Director: Toshiyuki Futamura
  • Executive Producer: Takahiro Minami

Gallery

  • Upright cabinet

  • Sit-down cabinet

  • Deluxe cabinet

  • Y Board CPU PCB (top)

  • Y Board CPU PCB (bottom)

  • Y Board Video PCB (top)

  • Y Board Video PCB (bottom)

  • Y Board Sound PCB (top)

  • Y Board Sound PCB (bottom)

Promotional Material

  • Y Board US flyer

  • Y Board JP flyer

  • Home computers UK print advert

  • Home computers ES print advert

Physical Scans

Y Board Version


























































































































































































Arcade 100 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 1 review
Publication Score Source
Sinclair User 100 №79, p82/83
Y Board, US
Y Board, JP

Amiga Version


























































































































































































Commodore Amiga 77 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 6 reviews
Publication Score Source
ACE 64 №27, p92-93Media:ACE UK 27.pdf
Amiga Format 92 №5, p42/43
Computer & Video Games 83 №96, p16/17
CU Amiga-64 70 November 1989, p36/37
The Games Machine (UK) 90 №25, p90
Zzap!64 65 №57, p71
Amiga, UK
PowerDrift Amiga EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Amiga, UK (The Hit Squad)


Amstrad CPC Version


























































































































































































Amstrad CPC 45 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 1 review
Publication Score Source
The Games Machine (UK) 45 №26, p21
Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)
PowerDrift AmstradCPC EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPowerDrift AmstradCPC EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, UK (The Hit Squad)
PowerDrift CPC UK Box HitSquad.jpg
Cover
PowerDrift CPC UK Cassette HitSquad.jpg
Cassette
Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
PowerDrift CPC ES Box Cassette MCM.jpg
Cover

Atari ST Version


























































































































































































Atari ST 84 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 1 review
Publication Score Source
The Games Machine (UK) 84 №26, p21
Atari ST, UK
PowerDrift ST UK Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPowerDrift ST UK Box Front.jpg
Cover
Atari ST, UK (The Hit Squad)
PowerDrift AtariST UK Box Front THS.jpg
Cover

Commodore 64 Version


























































































































































































Commodore 64 85 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 4 reviews
Publication Score Source
ACE 72 №27, p92-93Media:ACE UK 27.pdf
CU Amiga-64 80 November 1989, p38
The Games Machine (UK) 92 №25, p90
Zzap!64 94 №55, p68/69
Commodore 64, US
PowerDrift C64 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPowerDrift C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, UK
PowerDrift C64 UK Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPowerDrift C64 UK Box Front.jpg
Cover
PowerDrift C64 UK Cassette.jpg
Cassette
Commodore 64, UK (The Hit Squad)
PowerDrift C64 UK Box THS.jpg
Cover
PowerDrift C64 UK Cassette THS.jpg
Cassette
Commodore 64, IT

DOS Version


























































































































































































DOS-based computers (IBM PC) 71 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 2 reviews
Publication Score Source
Computer & Video Games 80 №106, p54
Joystick 62 №8, p167
DOS, US

MSX Version

MSX, ES

PC Engine Version


























































































































































































TurbografX-16/PC Engine 76 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 3 reviews
Publication Score Source
ACE 60 №35, p60Media:ACE UK 35.pdf
The Games Machine (UK) 87 №33, p52
Joystick 81 №6, p90
PC Engine, JP
Power Drift PCE HuCard JP Back.jpgPower Drift PCE HuCard JP Spine.jpgPowerDrift PCE JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PowerDrift PCE JP Card Back.jpgPowerDrift PCE JP Card.jpg
Card
Power Drift PCE HuCard JP Manual.pdf
Manual

ZX Spectrum Version


























































































































































































ZX Spectrum 82 Sega Retro Average 
Based on 2 reviews
Publication Score Source
Sinclair User 81 №118, p49
Your Sinclair 82 №49, p23
ZX Spectrum, UK

ZX Spectrum, UK
(The Hit Squad)
PowerDrift Spectrum EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
Power Drift Spectrum EU MCM Box.jpg
Cover

Unreleased versions

Notavailable.svg
Power Drift
Planned release date: 1991
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD

The game was apparently due to be ported to the Mega Drive and Mega-CD. The Mega Drive version was mentioned in the December 1990 issue of Mean Machines, with an expected release date of Easter 1991, but neither version ever came out.

  • Mean Machines #3

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