Power Sled

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Power Sled
System(s): Sega Model 2B CRX
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega AM5
Genre: Racing
Number of players: 1-4 (+4 passengers)
Release Date RRP Code JP 1996-07-12 ¥? ?

Power Sled (パワースレッド) is a Sega Model 2 bobsled racing attraction game developed by Sega AM5. Originally one of the debut attractions at the flagship Tokyo Joypolis on opening day in July 1996, it was subsequently installed in numerous other indoor theme parks and large scale entertainment/arcade centres across the world during the late 1990s and 2000s, becoming one of Sega's most prolific mid-size attractions.

Design

The attraction units used for Power Sled make use of three main components; 100-inch rear projection monitors, a number of full-size two-seater bobsled replicas pneumatically powered by the "AFG System" (Artificial Force Generator), and a series of Model 2B CRX boards. Depending on the iteration, two to four singular units can be linked together for multiplayer races, and some installations make use of a 29-inch monitor for spectators to view a race in progress.

The basic design of the attraction went on to create a standard for subsequent simulation games found in Sega indoor theme parks, including Bike Athlon and Boat Race GP.

History

Release

Power Sled made its public debut as one of nine newly-developed attractions at the opening of Tokyo Joypolis in July 1996. The main feature of the park's "Sports" area, it proved to perform well, and was subsequently filmed in television shows shot on location at the venue, including the 18/09/1996 edition of Game Catalog II. Michael Jackson was photographed riding the attraction during his December 1996 visit to the facility.

Locations

After its debut at Tokyo Joypolis, Power Sled was subsequently installed at several other Sega indoor theme parks and amusement centres in Japan.

• Tokyo Joypolis
• Fukuoka Joypolis
• Yokohama Joypolis
• Shinjuku Joypolis
• Club Sega Yokohama
• Kyoto Joypolis
• Club Sega Chatan
• Sega Arena Nakama

The success of the initial installations led to the creation of an English localisation, which saw the game imported to several other countries. It is thought to have first been installed outside of Japan at a number of GameWorks locations in North America and the Sega City arcade in Canada during 1996, as well as eventually South America at GameWorks Rio de Janeiro in 1999.

Other locations to receive Power Sled included SegaWorld London in the United Kingdom during 1998, and later Players Arena Shanghai in China during 2006. A small number were also sold to non-Sega venues, including the Mycal Otaru Dynalex indoor amusement park in Hokkaido, Japan.

At least one of the units supplied to a North American location was a cut-down two-player version, utilising a different design to the standard models. It is rumoured to have been a prototype.

Archival status

Only a small number of Power Sled units are thought to currently exist; many of the venues that once housed them have either closed permanently or have long removed the simulators. Some, including the former Sega City at Mississauga Playdium, auctioned their units off to private buyers, with one surviving to at least 2014 when sold at auction a second time. Tokyo Joypolis is believed to have been the last location to run the attraction - it was removed after over 13 years of operation in favour of the newer Storm-G bobsled simulator in 2009.

Slave ROMs for the game were dumped in 2019 from an unknown installation, however without the master ROMs and no workarounds, it is currently unplayable through all emulation methods.

One track composed for the game was later included on the Sega Racing Best compilation CD.

Artwork

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  Logo.

Videos

• Footage from 18/09/1996 edition of Game Catalog II'

Gallery

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  GameWorks

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  Club Sega Yokohama