OutRun (home computers)

From Sega Retro

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OutRun Amiga title.png

OutRun
System(s): Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: U.S. Gold, Mindscape (US)
Developer:
Genre: Racing

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Amiga
US
$49.9549.95[1]
Amiga
ES
Amiga
UK
£24.9924.99
Amiga
UK
(Klassix)
£9.999.99[2]
Amiga
UK
(Kixx)
£7.997.99[3]
Atari ST
US
$49.9549.95[1]
Atari ST
FR
200F200[8]
Atari ST
UK
£19.9919.99[5][6][7]
Atari ST
UK
(Kixx)
£7.997.99[3]
Atari ST
UK
(Klassix)
£9.999.99[2]
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Disk)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[5][6]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99[5][6]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Kixx)
£3.993.99 KIXX001
Commodore 64
US
(Disk)
$29.9529.95[1]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[5][6]
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk)
£11.9911.99[5][6]
Commodore 64
UK
(Kixx)
£3.993.99[9] KIXX001
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
£8.998.99[5][6]
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Disk)
£12.9912.99
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Kixx)
£3.993.99 KIXX001
IBM PC compatibles
US
$34.9534.95
MSX
ES
MSX305

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The Western home computer versions of OutRun were released between late 1987 and 1989 for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX and ZX Spectrum.

History

Release

The U.S. Gold-published version for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST and ZX Spectrum sold very well in the UK, shifting over 200,000 copies in its first two weeks of sale,[10][11] during the pre-Christmas period,[12] making it the fastest-selling game in the UK up until that time.[10][12] It was the best-selling game of 1987,[13] having sold over 250,000 copies in December 1987.[14]

Versions

Amstrad CPC version

The Amstrad port of OutRun runs much slower than the arcade version, and lacks any sort of indicator to tell the player whether they are in low or high gear. The only in-game sound effect (or indeed sound full stop, as there is no in-game music) is a beeping noise made when the car skids around corners. There are also no crash sequences should the player make a mistake - the car is just teleported into the middle of the road. This version does, however allow the player to adjust the "traffic" (i.e. difficulty).

As a multi-load game, the Amstrad CPC version will pause between stages as the new track is loaded from disk (or cassette).

Commodore 64 version

The Commodore 64 version is missing Passing Breeze from its music selection, and also lacks the splits in the road, meaning there is only one possible journey in the game.

This port is widely thought to have been rushed to market by U.S. Gold to capitalise on the holiday season of 1987.

MSX version

The MSX version of the game seemingly borrows some of its graphics from the ZX Spectrum port, but the code behind it is entirely different, with less responsive controls and jerky corner sections. There are no sound effects, and the music (Magical Sound Shower) restarts whenever the player crashes.

ZX Spectrum version

The Spectrum port shares several of the same problems as the Amstrad conversion, though is slightly faster, generally more detailed and as a 128k release, also includes music (though it is not selectable - the game only contains Magical Sound Shower). Traffic can also be adjusted, however the game suffers from noticeable slowdown when too many objects on on-screen at once. There are also obvious colour limitations due to the hardware.

The ZX Spectrum version of the game was controversial, having originally appeared in popular UK Spectrum magazine Your Sinclair with far superior graphics than what was seen in the final product[15]. U.S. Gold's attempts at brushing this off as a platform limitation were trumped by the existence of Ocean Software's Spectrum conversion of Chase H.Q., widely seen as a much more technically competent conversion. Your Sinclair subsequently gave the game a suspiciously high 8/10 rating[16].

Production credits

Amiga version

  • OutRun © Sega 1987, 1988
CBM Amiga Program
  • Developed by: Probe Software
  • Written by: Ian Morrison
  • Graphics by: Freddy and Alan
  • Music by: Jas. C. Brooke
  • Played by: You
Source:
In-game credits ("Show Info" menu)

Atari ST version

  • OutRun © Sega 1986
Atari ST Program
  • Developed by: Probe Software
  • Written by: Ian Morrison
  • Graphics by: Freddy and Sue
  • Music by: David Whittaker
  • A U.S. Gold Production
Source:
In-game credits ("Show Info" menu)

Commodore 64 version

  • U.S. Gold Presents the Coin Op Conversion of OutRun™ ©1986 Sega
  • Converted to CBM64 by: Amazing Products
  • Programme by: Martin Webb
  • Graphics by: Dennis Webb
  • Music and FX by: Jas. Brooke
Source:
In-game credits (title screen roll)

DOS version

Source:
In-game credits (title screen roll)

Magazine articles

Main article: OutRun (home computers)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #74: "December 1987" (1987-11-15)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #74: "December 1987" (1987-11-15)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #76: "February 1988" (1988-01-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in ACE (UK) #5: "February 1988" (1988-01-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Arcades (FR) #4: "Janvier 1988" (198x-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #77: "March 1988" (1988-02-15)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Arcades (FR) #6: "Mars 1988" (1988-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #83: "September 1988" (1988-08-16)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #85: "November 1988" (1988-10-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #93: "July 1989" (1989-06-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №17, p68[20]
75 №14, p40[21]
Amiga
79
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
82
[20]
Commodore User (UK)
67
[22]
The Games Machine (IT)
79
[23]
The Games Machine (UK)
75
[21]
New Computer Express (UK)
25
[24]
Zzap!64 (UK)
41
[25]
Amiga
62
Based on
6 reviews

OutRun (home computers)

Amiga, UK/FR
OutRun Amiga UK-FR Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngOutRun Amiga UK-FR Box Front.jpg
Cover
OutRun Amiga UK-FR Disk.jpg
Disk
Amiga, UK (Kixx)

Amiga, UK (Klassix)
OutRun Amiga EU Klassix Box Front.jpg
Cover
OutRun Amiga UK Disk Klassix.jpg
Disk
Amiga, ES
OutRun Amiga EU Erbe Box Front.jpg
Cover

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
20 №76, p25[26]
20 №3, p46[27]
Amstrad CPC
20
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
20
[26]
Micromanía (ES)
90
[28]
Power Play (DE)
20
[27]
Amstrad CPC
43
Based on
3 reviews

OutRun (home computers)

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)
OutRun CPC EU Box.jpg
Cover
OutRun Amstrad EU Disk.jpg
Disk
Amstrad CPC, UK (disk) (alt)

OutRun CPC EU Disk Back Alt.jpgOutRun CPC EU Disk Front Alt.jpg
Disk
Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)
OutRun CPC EU Box Cassette.jpg
Cover
OutRun CPC EU Cassette.jpg
Cassette
OutRun CPC EU Cassette Audio.jpg
Audio Cassette
Amstrad CPC, UK (Kixx)
OutRun CPC EU Box Cassette Kixx.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES (disk)
OutRun CPC ES Box Erbe.jpg
Cover
OutRun CPC ES Disk Erbe.jpg
Disk
Amstrad CPC, ES (disk) (Alt)
OutRun CPC ES Box Erbe Alt.jpg
Cover
OutRun CPC ES Disk Erbe Alt.jpg
Disk
Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
OutRun CPC ES Box Cassette Erbe.jpg
Cover

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
87 №10, p64[29]
70 №80, p30/31[30]
79 №7, p66[31]
50 №6, p78[32]
Atari ST
72
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
87
[29]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[30]
The Games Machine (UK)
79
[31]
Génération 4 (FR)
78
[33]
Power Play (DE)
50
[32]
Tilt (FR)
80
[34]
Atari ST
74
Based on
6 reviews

OutRun (home computers)

Atari ST, US
OutRun AtariST US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngOutRun AtariST US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Atari ST, UK
OutRun Atari ST EU Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngOutRun Atari ST EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
OutRun Atari ST EU Disk.jpg
Disk
Atari ST, UK (Klassix)
OutRun AtariST UK klassix back.jpgNospine-small.pngOutRun AtariST UK klassix front.jpg
Cover

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
61 №5, p38/39[35]
60 №76, p25[26]
48 №109, p97[9]
67 №3, p60/61[36]
30 №3, p46[27]
40 №75, p37[37]
68 №34
Commodore 64
53
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
61
[35]
Commodore Force (UK)
41
[38]
Commodore User (UK)
60
[39]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
60
[26]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
48
[40]
The Games Machine (UK)
67
[36]
Micromanía (ES)
90
[28]
Popular Computing Weekly (UK)
65
[41]
Power Play (DE)
30
[27]
Your Commodore (UK)
25
[37]
Zzap!64 (UK)
68
[42]
Commodore 64
56
Based on
11 reviews

OutRun (home computers)

Commodore 64, US
OutRun C64 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngOutRun C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
OutRun C64 US Disk.jpg
Disk
Commodore 64, US
OutRun C64 US Box Back Alt.jpgNospine.pngOutRun C64 US Box Front Alt.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, UK (cassette)
OutRun C64 EU Box Back.jpgOutRun C64 EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
OutRun C64 EU Cassette.jpg
Cassette
OutRun C64 EU Audio Cassette.jpg
Audio Cassette
Commodore 64, UK (disk)
OutRun C64 EU Box Disk.jpg
Cover
OutRun C64 UK Disk.jpg
Disk
Commodore 64, UK (Kixx)
OutRun C64 EU Box Kixx.jpg
Cover

DOS version

DOS, US (5¼-inch floppy disk)
OutRun DOS US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngOutRun DOS US Box Front.jpg
Cover
OutRun DOS US Disk1 525.jpg
Disk 1
DOS, US (3½-inch floppy disk)

OutRun DOS US Disk1 35.jpg
Disk
DOS, ES (Top PC)

MSX version

MSX, ES (cassette)
OutRun MSX ES Box.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
61 №3, p60/61[36]
80 №27, p28[16]
ZX Spectrum
71
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Crash (UK)
72
[10]
Crash (UK)
58
[43]
The Games Machine (UK)
61
[36]
Micromanía (ES)
90
[28]
Sinclair User (UK)
80
[44]
Sinclair User (UK)
81
[45]
Your Sinclair (UK)
80
[16]
Your Sinclair (UK)
61
[46]
ZX Spectrum
73
Based on
8 reviews

OutRun (home computers)

ZX Spectrum, UK (cassette)
OutRun Spectrum EU Box.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, UK (disk)
OutRun Spectrum EU Box Disk.jpg
Cover
OutRun Spectrum EU Disk.jpg
Disk
ZX Spectrum, UK
(cassette) (Kixx)
OutRun Spectrum EU Box Kixx.jpg
Cover
OutRun Spectrum UK Cassette Kixx.jpg
Cassette
ZX Spectrum, ES
(cassette)
OutRun Spectrum ES Box Cassette Erbe.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
(disk)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CGW US 053.pdf, page 59
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:CVG UK 093.pdf, page 116
  3. 3.0 3.1 File:CVG UK 111.pdf, page 66
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 File:CVG UK 075.pdf, page 137
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 File:CVG UK 074.pdf, page 7
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 File:CVG UK 075.pdf, page 51
  7. File:CVG UK 077.pdf, page 62
  8. File:Generation4 FR 004.pdf, page 8
  9. 9.0 9.1 File:CVG UK 109.pdf, page 97
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 File:Crash UK 49.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Crash UK 49.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content
  11. File:ACE UK 06.pdf, page 10
  12. 12.0 12.1 File:YourSinclair UK 27.pdf, page 7
  13. File:TGM UK 13.pdf, page 10
  14. File:ACE UK 10.pdf, page 31
  15. File:YourSinclair UK 24.pdf, page 57
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 File:YourSinclair UK 27.pdf, page 28 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourSinclair UK 27.pdf_p28" defined multiple times with different content
  17. Computer & Video Games, "January 1988" (UK; 1987-12-15), page 136
  18. Computer & Video Games, "January 1988" (UK; 1987-12-15), page 90
  19. Computer & Video Games, "May 1988" (UK; 1988-04-15), page 89
  20. 20.0 20.1 File:ACE UK 17.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 17.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  21. 21.0 21.1 File:TGM UK 14.pdf, page 40 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 14.pdf_p40" defined multiple times with different content
  22. Commodore User, "December 1988" (UK; 1988-11-26), page 29
  23. The Games Machine, "xxxx 198x" (IT; 1988-12-15), page 44
  24. New Computer Express, "November 19, 1988" (UK; 1988-11-17), page 31
  25. Zzap!64, "February 1989" (UK; 1989-01-12), page 77
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 File:CVG UK 076.pdf, page 25 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 076.pdf_p25" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 076.pdf_p25" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 076.pdf_p25" defined multiple times with different content
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 File:PowerPlay DE 003.pdf, page 46 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PowerPlay DE 003.pdf_p46" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PowerPlay DE 003.pdf_p46" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PowerPlay DE 003.pdf_p46" defined multiple times with different content
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 Micromanía, "Febrero 1988" (ES; 1988-xx-xx), page 12
  29. 29.0 29.1 File:ACE UK 10.pdf, page 64 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 10.pdf_p64" defined multiple times with different content
  30. 30.0 30.1 File:CVG UK 080.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 080.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content
  31. 31.0 31.1 File:TGM UK 07.pdf, page 66 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 07.pdf_p66" defined multiple times with different content
  32. 32.0 32.1 File:PowerPlay DE 006.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PowerPlay DE 006.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  33. Génération 4, "Septembre/Octobre 1988" (FR; 1988-0x-xx), page 32
  34. Tilt, "Julliet/Août 1988" (FR; 1988-0x-xx), page 34
  35. 35.0 35.1 File:ACE UK 05.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 05.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 File:TGM UK 03.pdf, page 61 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 03.pdf_p61" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 03.pdf_p61" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 03.pdf_p61" defined multiple times with different content
  37. 37.0 37.1 File:YourCommodore UK 75.pdf, page 37 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourCommodore UK 75.pdf_p37" defined multiple times with different content
  38. Commodore Force, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 17
  39. Commodore User, "January 1988" (UK; 1987-12-2x), page 18
  40. Computer & Video Games, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-16), page 45
  41. Popular Computing Weekly, "Vol. 6 No. 52" (UK; 1987-12-31), page 17
  42. Zzap!64, "February 1988" (UK; 1988-01-14), page 87
  43. Crash, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-15), page 63
  44. Sinclair User, "January 1988" (UK; 1987-12-18), page 13
  45. Sinclair User, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-xx-xx), page 60
  46. Your Sinclair, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 79



OutRun series of games
Arcade
OutRun (1986) | Turbo OutRun (1989) | OutRunners (1992) | OutRun 2 (2003) | OutRun 2 SP (2004) | OutRun 2 SP SDX (2006)
Sega Master System
OutRun (1987) | OutRun 3D (1988) | Battle OutRun (1989) | OutRun Europa (1991)
Windows PC
OutRun (1987) | Turbo OutRun (1989) | OutRun Europa (1991) | OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006)
MSX
OutRun (1988)
FM Towns/FM Towns Marty
Turbo OutRun (1989)
LCD handheld game
OutRun (1989) | OutRun F-1 (19xx)
Sega Mega Drive
OutRun (1991) | Turbo OutRun (1992) | OutRun 2019 (1993) | OutRunners (1994) | Arcade Legends OutRun 2019 (200x)
Sega Game Gear
OutRun (1991) | OutRun Europa (1992)
Sega Saturn
Sega Ages OutRun (1996)
i-mode 503i
OutRun (2001)
Sony PlayStation 2
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 13: OutRun (2004) | OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006) | OutRun 2 SP (2007)
Xbox
OutRun 2 (2004) | OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006)
Sony PlayStation Portable
OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006)
Xbox 360
Sony PlayStation 3
OutRun Online Arcade (2009)
Nintendo 3DS
3D OutRun (2014)
Nintendo Switch
Sega Ages OutRun (2018)
OutRun-related media
Music
OutRun (1992) | Virtua Racing & OutRunners (1993) | Yu Suzuki Produce OutRun (1997) | Sega Presents OutRun 2: Music Through the Ages (2004) | OutRun 2 Sound Tracks (2004) | OutRun 2 Sound Tracks: Side B (2005) | OutRun 20th Anniversary Box (2007) | OutRun Sound Tracks: Complement (2007) | OutRun (2016) | Sega Ages OutRun: Music Collection (2019)
Film
OutRun (1987) | OutRun (1988) | Super Monaco GP / Turbo OutRun (1989) | Out Run/Turbo Out Run Strategy Movie & S.S.T. Band Live+1 (2007)