GP Rider (Master System)

From Sega Retro

For the X Board arcade game, see GP Rider. For the Sega Game Gear game, see GP Rider (Game Gear).

n/a

GPRider SMS Title.png

GP Rider
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Sports[2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU
9013
Sega Master System
PT
MSJ9013
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[4] 9013
Sega Master System
AU
9013
Sega Master System
BR
028200

GP Rider is a racing game developed by Sega for the Sega Master System. It is loosely based on the 1990 arcade game of the game name.

Gameplay

The Master System version of GP Rider is a motorcycle racing game. It plays similarly to the previous port of Hang On, but it is raced on circuits (rather than point-to-point road courses) and against competitors for the best position rather than for the best time. It can be played by one or two players, and it is permanently viewed in split-screen (much like the Master System version of Super Monaco GP), regardless of how many players are playing. In two-player games, the players compete with each other; in single-player games, the second player is replaced by a computer opponent named "Wayne." Player one appears on the bottom of the screen (with a red bike), and player two or the computer appears on the top (with a blue bike).

The bike steers with Left and Right. It accelerates with 2 and brakes with 1. When using a manual transmission, it upshifts with Up and downshifts with Down. The manual transmission has six gears. Players can optionally change to an alternative control scheme that accelerates with Up, brakes with Down, upshifts with 1, and downshifts with 2.

Races can occur in wet or dry conditions. Each course is divided into laps; the number of laps varies depending on the course. The weather, number of laps, and length of each course is displayed before starting a race. Every race is preceded by a qualifying lap that determines the starting position of the players, followed by a race against 15 opponents. The qualifying lap always has good weather and no other competitors. Riding off the road slows the bike, but unlike the other versions of the game, it is not possible to crash by hitting a roadside obstacle or another racer since the rider passes through obstructions.

Modes

The Arcade mode is a single race on the Arcade track (which is only available in this mode and always has dry weather). Players can choose the transmission type (Automatic or Manual) and the gearing (High or Low). The high gearing has a higher top speed, while the low gearing provides easier handling due to its tighter gear spacing.

The Tournament mode allows the player to choose from 15 tracks from around the world. The player can select as few as one track or as many as all of them. The Grand Prix mode is the same as the Tournament mode except that the player races on all 15 tracks instead of choosing which tracks to play. In these modes, players have more equipment selections to make before each race.

Every mode can be played by one or two players.

Bike setup

GP Rider SMS, Bike Setup.png

Bike setup

In the Tournament and Grand Prix modes, players can make equipment selections before each race:

  • Engine: Chooses the engine, which affects the bike's acceleration speed and stability. Lean has the best stability but slowest acceleration, Thirsty has the best acceleration but worst stability, and Medium is in between.
  • Gear: Chooses the transmission (Automatic or Manual), then the gearing (Wide or Close). Wide is equivalent to the high gearing of the Arcade mode (higher top speed and wider gear spacing) and Close is equivalent to the low gearing (lower top speed and narrower gear spacing).
  • Tire: Chooses the tire composition. Dry is best for sunny weather, and Wet is best for rainy.

Courses

Arcade

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Arcade.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Arcade.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Arcade.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Arcade.png

Arcade
Length:
3,000 m
Laps:
6
This is the shortest track in the game, but it is raced for the most laps.

Tournament and Grand Prix

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Japan.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Japan.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Japan.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Japan.png

Japan
Length:
5,859 m
Laps:
3

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Australia.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Australia.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Australia.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Australia.png

Australia
Length:
4,448 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, USA.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, USA.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, USA.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, USA.png

U.S.A.
Length:
3,520 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Spain.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Spain.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Spain.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Spain.png

Spain
Length:
4,219 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Italy.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Italy.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Italy.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Italy.png

Italy
Length:
3,488 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Germany.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Germany.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Germany.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Germany.png

Germany
Length:
6,797 m
Laps:
3

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Austria.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Austria.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Austria.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Austria.png

Austria
Length:
4,225 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, European.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, European.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, European.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, European.png

European
Length:
4,168 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Holland.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Holland.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Holland.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Holland.png

Holland
Length:
6,134 m
Laps:
3

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Belgium.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Belgium.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Belgium.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Belgium.png

Belgium
Length:
6,976 m
Laps:
3

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, France.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, France.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, France.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, France.png

France
Length:
4,240 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Britain.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Britain.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Britain.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Britain.png

Britain
Length:
4,020 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Sweden.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Sweden.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Sweden.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Sweden.png

Sweden
Length:
4,011 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Czech.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Czech.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Czech.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Czech.png

Czech
Length:
4,031 m
Laps:
4

GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Brazil.png

GP Rider SMS, Races, Brazil.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Tracks, Brazil.png

  • GP Rider SMS, Races, Brazil.png

Brazil
Length:
3,835 m
Laps:
4

Magazine articles

Main article: GP Rider (Master System)/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
34
[5]
Joypad (FR)
74
[6]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
55
[7]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[8]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
34
[9]
Player One (FR)
59
[10]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
83
[11]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
58
[12]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
48
[13]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
65
[14]
Todo Sega (ES)
73
[15]
Sega Master System
60
Based on
11 reviews

GP Rider (Master System)

Master System, EU
GPRiderSMSEUCover.jpg
Cover
GPRider SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, PT
GPRider SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
GPRider SMS AU Box.jpg
Cover
GPRider SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Classics)
GPRider SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover
GPRider SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
GPRider SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
GPRider SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
GPRider SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 ec2da554
MD5 1af1cdf8d40c305f936e72b51cb4740d
SHA-1 3083069782c7cfcf2cc1229aca38f8f2971cf284
512kB Cartridge (EU)

References


GP Rider (Master System)

GPRider SMS Title.png

Main page | Magazine articles | Reception


No results



Games in the Hang-On series
Hang-On (1985) | Hang-On Jr. (1985) | Hang-On II (1985) | Super Hang-On (home computers) (1987) | GP Rider (Master System | Game Gear) (1990) | Limited Edition Hang-On (1991) | Hang-On GP (1995) | 3D Super Hang-On (2013)
Spin-offs
Hang-On (1988)
Hang-On related media
Music
Yu Suzuki Produce Hang On/Space Harrier (1997) | Super Hang-On 20th Anniversary Collection (2007) | Super Hang-On (2015)
Film
After Burner / Super Hang-On (1987)