Power Drift

From Sega Retro

For the Saturn version, see Sega Ages Power Drift.

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n/a

Power Drift Title.png

Power Drift
System(s): Sega Y Board, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: Sega,
PC Engine
Asmik,
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
IBM PC compatibles
MSX
ZX Spectrum
Activision
Developer:
Release Date RRP Code
Amiga
UK
£24.9924.99[2]
Amiga
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£7.997.99
Atari ST
UK
£19.9919.99[2]
Atari ST
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£7.997.99
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
AMC 768
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[2]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99[2]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£3.993.99
Commodore 64
US
(Disk)
$39.9539.95[3]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[2]
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99[2]
Commodore 64
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£3.993.99
Commodore 64
IT
(1)
ZX Spectrum
ES
(Cassette)
LYSEC-714
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[2]
ZX Spectrum
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£3.993.99
IBM PC compatibles
US
IBM PC compatibles
UK
£29.9929.99[4]
MSX
ES

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

Power Drift was the first kart racing game, predating Nintendo's Super Mario Kart by four years. While less known in America, it was critically and commercially successful in Europe, according to gaming magazines of its time.

Improving on the "Super Scaler" technology and road scrolling effects of Hang-On, Out Run and After Burner, it created all of its track layouts with flat bitmaps to simulate a wholly 3D space using strictly 2D technology, making much use of sprite-scaling and rotation to create a 3D effect. [6]

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[6]. When Dempa's license expired, Sega briefly worked on a Sega 32X version[7], which also did not see the light of day.

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.[8]

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

Magazine articles

Main article: Power Drift/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in ACE (UK) #26: "November 1989" (1989-10-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in ACE (UK) #27: "December 1989" (1989-11-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in ACE (UK) #28: "January 1990" (1989-12-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Y Board version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
77 №3/89, p60[9]
100 №79, p82/83[10]
Arcade
89
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Power Drift

Y Board, US
PowerDrift YBoard US Manual.pdf
Manual
Y Board, JP

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
64 №27, p92/93[2]
83 №3, p76/77
88 Vol 2, №8, p35
92 №5, p42/43
91 №1989-12, p53, [2]
70 №74, p36-37[11]
83 №96, p16/17[12]
90 №25, p90[13]
85 №2, p26
65 №57, p71
Amiga
81
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
65
[14]
Amiga Computing (UK)
88
[15]
Amiga Format (UK)
92
[16]
Amiga Joker (DE)
79
[17]
Amiga Power (UK)
69
[18]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[19]
Commodore Computing International (UK)
72
[20]
Commodore User (UK)
70
[11]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
83
[12]
The Games Machine (UK)
90
[13]
Génération 4 (FR)
77
[21]
Megazone (AU)
45
[22]
The One (UK)
78
[23]
Power Play (DE)
36
[24]
Zero (UK)
85
[25]
Zzap!64 (UK)
65
[26]
Amiga
74
Based on
16 reviews

Power Drift

Amiga, UK
PowerDrift Amiga EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Amiga, UK (The Hit Squad)


Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
45 №26, p21[27]
Amstrad CPC
45
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amstrad Action (UK)
91
[28]
The Games Machine (UK)
45
[27]
Amstrad CPC
68
Based on
2 reviews

Power Drift

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

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
100 №1990-02, p57[29]
84 №26, p21[27]
60 №38, p85
76 №21, p48/49
83 №6, p62/64
Atari ST
81
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[29]
The Games Machine (UK)
84
[27]
Génération 4 (FR)
77
[21]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[30]
The One for ST Games (UK)
50
[31]
ST Action (UK)
76
[32]
ST Format (UK)
83
[33]
Zero (UK)
75
[34]
Atari ST
74
Based on
8 reviews

Power Drift

Atari ST, UK
PowerDrift ST UK Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPowerDrift ST UK Box Front.jpg
Cover
PowerDrift AtariST UK Disk1.jpg
Disk 1
PowerDrift AtariST UK Disk2.jpg
Disk 2
PowerDrift AtariST UK Disk3.jpg
Disk 3
Atari ST, UK (The Hit Squad)
PowerDrift AtariST UK Box Back THS.jpgNospine-small.pngPowerDrift AtariST UK Box Front THS.jpg
Cover

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 3/90
72 №27, p92/93[2]
92 №1989-12, p53, [3]
87 №8.5, p50/51
85 №98, p18
41 №15, p49
80 №74, p38[35]
92 №25, p90[13]
92 №64, p32/33[36]
94 №55, p68/69
Commodore 64
82
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
64'er (DE)
80
[37]
ACE (UK)
73
[14]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
77
[19]
Commodore Computing International (UK)
87
[38]
Commodore Force (UK)
85
[39]
Commodore Format (UK)
41
[40]
Commodore User (UK)
80
[35]
Datormagazin (SE)
70
[41]
The Games Machine (UK)
92
[13]
New Computer Express (UK)
100
[42]
Your Commodore (UK)
92
[36]
Zzap!64 (UK)
80
[43]
Zzap! (IT)
95
[44]
Commodore 64
81
Based on
13 reviews

Power Drift

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

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №106, p54[45]
62 №8, p167
IBM PC compatibles
71
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
IBM PC compatibles
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Power Drift

DOS, US
PowerDrift IBMPC US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPowerDrift IBMPC US Box Front.jpg
Cover
PowerDrift IBMPC US Disk1.jpg
Disk 1
PowerDrift IBMPC US Disk2.jpg
Disk 2
PowerDrift IBMPC US Disk3.jpg
Disk 3
PowerDrift IBMPC US Disk3.jpg
Disk 4

MSX version

MSX, ES

PC Engine version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60 №35, p60[46]
90 №1990-07, [4]
87 №2, p9/60
85
87 №33, p52[47]
81 №6, p90[48]
PC Engine
82
Based on
6 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
60
[46]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
73
[49]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
69
[50]
GameFan (US)
86
[51]
The Games Machine (UK)
87
[47]
Génération 4 (FR)
53
[52]
Joystick (FR)
81
[48]
Power Play (DE)
59
[53]
Zzap! (IT)
76
[54]
PC Engine
72
Based on
9 reviews

Power Drift

PC Engine, JP
Power Drift PCE HuCard JP Back.jpgPower Drift PCE HuCard JP Spine.jpgPowerDrift PCE JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
81 №71, p70
71 №95, p63
79 №93, p39[55]
81 №118, p49[56]
82 №49, p23[57]
ZX Spectrum
79
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Crash (UK)
81
[58]
Crash (UK)
71
[59]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[60]
Svet Igara (YU)
53
[61]
Sinclair User (UK)
79
[55]
Sinclair User (UK)
81
[56]
Your Sinclair (UK)
82
[57]
ZX Spectrum
72
Based on
7 reviews

Power Drift

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
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega 32X
Publisher: Sega
Planned release date(s):
Sega Mega Drive
1991
Sega Mega-CD
1992-04/1992-05[62]

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, and the Mega-CD version was announced shortly before the system launched, with an expected release of "late Spring" 1992 (April/May). Neither version ever came out.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 File:Zero UK 01.pdf, page 12
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 File:ACE UK 27.pdf, page 93
  3. File:CGW US 072.pdf, page 6
  4. File:CVG UK 105.pdf, page 13
  5. http://www.mamedb.com/game/pdrift
  6. 6.0 6.1 http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/powerdrift/powerdrift.htm
  7. File:GameFan US 0303.pdf, page 114
  8. http://toucharcade.com/2014/01/03/sonic-all-stars-racing-transformed-review-an-all-star-sequel/
  9. File:PowerPlay DE 012.pdf, page 60
  10. File:SinclairUser UK 079.pdf, page 82
  11. 11.0 11.1 File:CommodoreUser UK 74.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CommodoreUser UK 74.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
  12. 12.0 12.1 File:CVG UK 096.pdf, page 16 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 096.pdf_p16" defined multiple times with different content
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 File:TGM UK 25.pdf, page 90 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 25.pdf_p90" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 25.pdf_p90" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 25.pdf_p90" defined multiple times with different content
  14. 14.0 14.1 ACE, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-11-xx), page 92
  15. Amiga Computing, "Volume 2, Number 8: January 1990" (UK; 19xx-xx-xx), page 35
  16. Amiga Format, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-11-09), page 42
  17. Amiga Joker, "Januar '90" (DE; 1989-12-29), page 10
  18. Amiga Power, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-19), page 106
  19. 19.0 19.1 Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1989" (DE; 1989-1x-xx), page 53
  20. Commodore Computing International, "January 1990" (UK; 1990-xx-xx), page 51
  21. 21.0 21.1 Génération 4, "Décembre 1989" (FR; 1989-1x-xx), page 14
  22. Megazone, "June 1990" (AU; 1990-0x-xx), page 35
  23. The One, "November 1989" (UK; 1989-10-xx), page 51
  24. Power Play, "1/90" (DE; 1989-12-15), page 30
  25. Zero, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-1x-xx), page 26
  26. Zzap!64, "January 1990" (UK; 19xx-xx-xx), page 71
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 File:TGM UK 26.pdf, page 21 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 26.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 26.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 26.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content
  28. Amstrad Action, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-11-09), page 50
  29. 29.0 29.1 File:ASM DE 1990-02.pdf, page 57 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ASM DE 1990-02.pdf_p57" defined multiple times with different content
  30. Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 41
  31. The One for ST Games, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-26), page 85
  32. ST Action, "January 1990" (UK; 19xx-xx-xx), page 50
  33. ST Format, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-21), page 62
  34. Zero, "January 1990" (UK; 19xx-xx-xx), page 89
  35. 35.0 35.1 File:CommodoreUser UK 74.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CommodoreUser UK 74.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  36. 36.0 36.1 File:YourCommodore UK 64.pdf, page 32 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourCommodore UK 64.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content
  37. 64'er, "März 1990" (DE; 1990-02-16), page 121
  38. Commodore Computing International, "January 1990" (UK; 1990-xx-xx), page 50
  39. Commodore Force, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 18
  40. Commodore Format, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 49
  41. Datormagazin, "4-18 Januari 1990" (SE; 1990-01-04), page 15
  42. New Computer Express, "November 4, 1989" (UK; 1989-11-02), page 60
  43. Zzap!64, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-08), page 73
  44. Zzap!, "Novembre 1989" (IT; 1989-xx-xx), page 16
  45. File:CVG UK 106.pdf, page 54
  46. 46.0 46.1 File:ACE UK 35.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 35.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content
  47. 47.0 47.1 File:TGM UK 33.pdf, page 52 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 33.pdf_p52" defined multiple times with different content
  48. 48.0 48.1 File:Joystick FR 006.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 006.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content
  49. Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni/Juli 1990" (DE; 1990-05-25), page 64
  50. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 50
  51. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 2: December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 9
  52. Génération 4, "Juin 1990" (FR; 1990-0x-xx), page 65
  53. Power Play, "8/90" (DE; 1990-07-13), page 129
  54. Zzap!, "Novembre 1990" (IT; 1990-xx-xx), page 58
  55. 55.0 55.1 File:SinclairUser UK 093.pdf, page 39 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SinclairUser UK 093.pdf_p39" defined multiple times with different content
  56. 56.0 56.1 File:SinclairUser UK 118.pdf, page 49 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SinclairUser UK 118.pdf_p49" defined multiple times with different content
  57. 57.0 57.1 File:YourSinclair UK 49.pdf, page 23 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourSinclair UK 49.pdf_p23" defined multiple times with different content
  58. Crash, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-11-16), page 70
  59. Crash, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 63
  60. Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1990" (ES; 19xx-xx-xx), page 37
  61. Svet Igara, "Januar 1990" (YU; 1990-xx-xx), page 14
  62. File:EGM US 029.pdf, page 122