Chase H.Q.

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Saturn version, see Taito Chase H.Q. Plus S.C.I..

n/a

  • Master System
  • Sega Game Gear
    US
  • Sega Game Gear
    JP

ChaseHQ title.png

ChaseHQ GG US title.png

ChaseHQ GG JP title.png

Chase H.Q.
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Master System
Sega
Sega Game Gear
Taito
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Master System
Kanal 10 (SE rental)
Original system(s): Taito Z System
Genre: Racing[1][2], Arcade[3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU
7038
Sega Master System
FR
329F329[7] 7038
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[5][6] 7038
Sega Master System
SE
(Rental)
Sega Master System
AU
FCHA06SEC
Sega Master System
MX
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,800 (3,914)3,800e[8] T-11017
Sega Game Gear
US
T-11018
Non-Sega versions

Chase H.Q., often known as Taito Chase H.Q. (タイトーチェイスH.Q.), is an action-driving game developed by Taito. Originally released in arcades, it was ported to the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Two sequels, Special Criminal Investigation and Chase H.Q. II were released for the Sega Master System and Sega Mega Drive, respectively.

Gameplay

Chase HQ SMS, Transmission.png

Dispatch

Chase H.Q. is a racing game in which the player takes control of a pair of police detectives who drive a blue sports car resembling a Porsche 928 and attempt to capture criminals who are fleeing the city in high-speed exotic cars. At the start of each stage, the player receives a transmission from Nancy from Chase H.Q. describing the criminal and the vehicle to pursue. After evading other cars and obstacles and reaching the target, the player must cause enough damage to the fugitive vehicle before time runs out to finish the stage. Midway through each stage, there is a fork in the road, reminiscent of OutRun, where the player must choose between two paths (with the shorter path indicated by an arrow).

The car steers with Left and Right. It accelerates by holding 1 and decelerates by releasing 1. The car can optionally be equipped with a two-speed manual transmission, which is upshifted with Up or downshifted with Down. The rev meter in the status area of the screen turns red when the car should be upshifted. The car can use a turbo boost by pressing 2, which provides it with a short burst of speed. The car starts each stage with three turbo boosts.

Hitting obstacles slows the car or causes it to spin out, costing time and letting the criminal get further away, but the player's car cannot be destroyed. If time runs out, the player's car comes to a stop, but the player can continue from the same point (without needing to restart the stage) up to three times. The distance to the criminal's car is shown in the status area of the screen as a meter in the Master System version or as a road with the player's car and the criminal's car marked on the Game Gear version. When the player is close to the criminal, the player's car activates its siren, the criminal's car is marked by an arrow, and another 60 seconds is added to the time limit. Ramming the criminal's car increases the damage meter, and the criminal is successfully stopped when the damage meter is full. Hitting the criminal's car from the sides does more damage than ramming it from behind.

Parts

Chase HQ SMS, Parts Select.png

Parts select

After a stage is completed, the player is awarded points for apprehending the criminal and bonus points for any time remaining on the timer. Points can be spent on upgraded parts before the next stage. Upgrades only last for one stage and must be purchased again to be used on another stage.

  • Oil: Increases the top speed of the car from 270 to 280 km/h (or from 165 to 171 mph in the US version). Costs 10,000 points.
  • Turbo: Gives the car another turbo boost. The car starts each stage with three turbo boosts, so this upgrade gives it a fourth turbo boost. Costs 500,000 points.
  • Supercharger: Increases acceleration. Costs 2,000,000 points.
  • Tire: Improves handling. Costs 30,000 points.
  • Bumper: Increases the damage done by hitting the enemy car. Costs 50,000 points.

Stages

There are five stages, each having a different criminal who must be apprehended. After the first five stages have been completed, the stages are repeated at a higher difficulty, then repeated a final time at the highest difficulty (for a total of three rounds of five stages apiece).

Round 1

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-1.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-1.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

Stage 1
The player pursues Ralph, the Idaho Slasher, driving a blue car resembling a Lotus Esprit.

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-2.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-2.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

Stage 2
The player pursues Carlos, the New York armed robber, driving a yellow car resembling a Lamborghini Countach.

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-3.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-3.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

Stage 3
The player pursues a gang of "Chicago pushers" driving a green car resembling a Porsche 911.

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-4.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-4 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-4.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-4 Boss.png

Stage 4
The player pursues an L.A. kidnapper driving a red car resembling a Ferrari 288 GTO.

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-5.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-5 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-5.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 1-5 Boss.png

Stage 5
The player pursues an Eastern Bloc spy driving a red car resembling a Porsche 928.

Round 2

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-1.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-1 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-1.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-1 Boss.png

Stage 1

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-2.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-2 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-2.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-2 Boss.png

Stage 2

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-3.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-3.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

Stage 3

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-4.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-4 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-4.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-4 Boss.png

Stage 4

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-5.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-5 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-5.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 2-5 Boss.png

Stage 5

Round 3

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-1.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-1 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-1.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-1 Boss.png

Stage 1

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-2.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-2.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

Stage 2

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-3.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-3.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

Stage 3

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-4.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-4 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-4.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-4 Boss.png

Stage 4

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-5.png

Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-5 Boss.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-5.png

  • Chase HQ SMS, Stage 3-5 Boss.png

Stage 5

Versions

The Sega versions of Chase H.Q. are inspired by the original arcade version, but make a number of changes to gameplay (such as the addition of purchasable vehicle upgrades) and make huge cutbacks on graphical detail. Such changes likely make for a smoother experience on the Master System, but a less accurate one. The opposite case can be seen in Ocean Software's 8-bit home computer ports released around the same time (particularly the highly acclaimed Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions), which sacrifice speed in favour of visuals.

The Game Gear version of the game runs in the system's Master System compatibility mode.[10]

Magazine articles

Main article: Chase H.Q./Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Master System version

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (UK) #103: "June 1990" (1990-05-16)
also published in:
  • (UK) #33: "June 1990" (1990-05-xx)[11]
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Print advert in (UK) #104: "July 1990" (1990-06-16)
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Print advert in (IT) #13: "Luglio/Agosto 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
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Print advert in (UK) #105: "August 1990" (1990-07-16)
also published in:
  • (UK) #106: "September 1990" (1990-08-16)[12]
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Print advert in (GR) #74: "Fevrouários 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
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Print advert in (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)
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Game Gear version

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #31: "February 1992" (199x-xx-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1991-02: "February 1991" (1991-01-08)
also published in:
  • (JP) #1991-03: "March 1991" (1991-02-08)[13]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1991-04: "April 1991" (1991-03-08)
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Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
61 [14]
65 [15]
Sega Master System
63
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(DE)
67
[16]
(UK)
83
[17]
(UK)
86
[18]
(UK) PAL
86
[19]
(UK) PAL
72
[20]
(UK)
83
[21]
(UK)
86
[22]
(DE)
67
[23]
(UK)
55
[24]
(FR)
93
[25]
(ES)
50
[26]
(UK) PAL
86
[27]
(FR)
70
[28]
(DE)
33
[29]
(UK) PAL
70
[30]
(UK) PAL
50
[31]
(UK)
76
[32]
(UK) PAL
72
[33]
(FR)
85
[34]
(UK)
85
[35]
Sega Master System
73
Based on
20 reviews

Chase H.Q.

Master System, EU
ChaseHQ SMS EU Box NoR.jpg
Cover
ChaseHQ SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU (Sega®)
ChaseHQ SMS EU Box R.jpg
Cover
Master System, SE (rental; Kanal 10)
ChaseHQ SMS SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
Taito Chase HQ SMS AU Cover.jpg
Cover
ChaseHQ SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Classics)
ChaseHQ SMS AU classics back.jpgNospine.pngChaseHQ SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, MX
ChaseHQ SMS MX Box.jpg
Cover
ChaseHQ SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(UK) NTSC
50
[36]
(JP) NTSC-J
63
[37]
(UK)
90
[38]
(UK)
85
[39]
(UK) PAL
64
[40]
(UK)
70
[41]
(JP) NTSC-J
60
[42]
(FR)
83
[43]
(UK) PAL
87
[44]
(DE)
80
[45]
(UK) NTSC-U
74
[46]
(UK) NTSC
74
[47]
(JP) NTSC-J
52
[48]
(UK)
62
[49]
Sega Game Gear
71
Based on
14 reviews

Chase H.Q.

Game Gear, JP
ChaseHQ GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngChaseHQ GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
ChaseHQ GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
ChaseHQ GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngChaseHQ GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
ChaseHQ GG US Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 85cfc9c9
MD5 08511c5cf0df0941b10ebf28050afe51
SHA-1 495e3ced83ccd938b549bc76905097dba0aaf32b
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 7bb81e3d
MD5 3cd1a4c27e330bba7703ee22ac83b856
SHA-1 b757b45a07ae6530443862e0eca547e16c23b4a3
128kB Cartridge (JP)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 c8381def
MD5 c72556c76d431b545dd56bdcc536a89f
SHA-1 6d6209c642b854eaa43da81b311c04a7579d9a17
128kB Cartridge (US)

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Chase H.Q.
  1. File:ChaseHQ GG JP Box Front.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
  3. File:ChaseHQ SMS EU Box NoR.jpg
  4. File:BristolEveningPost UK 1990-08-02 Page 67.jpg
  5. Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 76
  6. Computer & Video Games, "June 1990" (UK; 1990-05-16), page 105
  7. Player One, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 45
  8. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1991" (JP; 1991-03-08), page 70
  9. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 33
  10. https://www.smspower.org/Tags/SMS-GG
  11. ACE, "June 1990" (UK; 1990-05-xx), page 28
  12. Computer & Video Games, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-16), page 80
  13. Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 70
  14. Computer + Video Giochi, "Giugno 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 88
  15. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  16. Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1990" (DE; 1990-03-30), page 55
  17. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume Two" (UK; 1990-04-xx), page 20
  18. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 94
  19. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 54
  20. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 139
  21. Computer & Video Games, "June 1990" (UK; 1990-05-16), page 94
  22. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  23. Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 103
  24. The Games Machine, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-xx), page 62
  25. Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1990" (FR; 1990-06-25), page 108
  26. Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1990" (ES; 1990-1x-xx), page 58
  27. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 129
  28. Player One, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 44
  29. Power Play, "5/90" (DE; 1990-04-12), page 118
  30. S: The Sega Magazine, "June 1990" (UK; 1990-05-03), page 16
  31. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  32. Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 20
  33. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  34. Tilt, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-0x-xx), page 84
  35. Zero, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-0x-xx), page 79
  36. ACE, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-08), page 109
  37. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1991" (JP; 1991-03-08), page 30
  38. Computer & Video Games, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-15), page 89
  39. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  40. Games-X, "31st May-6th June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-31), page 37
  41. Games-X, "5th-11th March 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 23
  42. Hippon Super, "April 1991" (JP; 1991-03-04), page 43
  43. Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 190
  44. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 131
  45. Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 89
  46. Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 38
  47. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  48. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  49. Zero, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 85


Chase H.Q.

ChaseHQ title.png

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Games in the Chase H.Q. series for Sega systems
Chase H.Q. (1990) | Chase H.Q. II (1992) | Special Criminal Investigation (1992) | Taito Chase H.Q. Plus S.C.I. (1996)