Super Off Road

Infobox VG
title = Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road


developer = The Leland Corporation
publisher = Virgin Games
designer =
engine =
version =
platforms = Arcade, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, Game Boy, Game Gear, Lynx, Master System, Mega Drive, NES, SNES, ZX Spectrum
released = vgy|1989
genre = Racing game
modes = Single player, Multiplayer
ratings = N/A
media = Compact Cassette, Floppy disk, Cartridge
requirements =
input = Keyboard, Joystick

"Super Off Road", also known as "Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road", is an arcade video game released in 1989 by The Leland Corporation. Virgin Games produced several home versions in 1990. In 1991, an NES version was later released by Leland's Tradewest subsidiary followed by versions for most major home formats, including Super NES, Amiga and MS-DOS.

In the game, up to 3 players (4 in the NES version through use of either the NES Satellite or NES Four Score) compete against each other or the computer in racing around several top-view indoor off-road truck tracks of increasing difficulty. Good results earn the player points to continue in the championship and money with which to upgrade their truck or buy more nitro boosters. The goal is to reach the end of the season with the most money earned. Continues are available but whereas players can get extra money in the arcade version, in the home versions, the player's money is reset to 0. This is one of the first games where the player could upgrade his or her vehicle by earning points or money (although in Atari Games' Sprint series, one could upgrade their racer using wrenches), a system that is used in most arcade-style racing games today.

The track pack was an add-on board for arcade units that contains eight brand-new tracks: Shortcut, Cutoff Pass, Pig Bog, Rio Trio, Leapin' Lizards, Redoubt About, Boulder Hill and Volcano Valley. It also gave the brand new ability to choose between either the normal truck or the dune buggy; both vehicles had different characteristics accordingly and added a new element to the game.

In the original arcade game, the red, blue and yellow CPU trucks were 'driven' by "Madman" Sam Powell, "Hurricane" Earl Stratton and "Jammin'" John Morgan, respectively. The names were taken from the development staff, Sam composed the music, and Earl and John were two of the software programmers. The Track Pack added "Steamin'" Steve High, and "Hot Rod" John Rowe, representing graphics and project direction, respectively. By using these names, this meant that further licensing deals were not required.

The Super NES version was notable for prominently featuring the Toyota brand; the name and logo were displayed on various tracks, and pre-race music was inspired by the "I love what you do for me Toyota" jingle that was used by the company's marketing campaign at the time of the game's release. This version also lacked any licensing or reference to Ivan Stewart, replacing him instead with the late Mickey Thompson in the gray truck.

This game was not developed or published by Williams, Midway, or Atari Games. Nonetheless, both the Arcade version of the game and its "Track Pack" upgrade can be found in Midway Arcade Treasures 3. However, it does not have the "Ironman" Ivan Stewart license, and as such is known simply as "Super Off Road", with the white, computer controlled car being "driven" by "'Lightning' Kevin Lydy" (in the original arcade cabinet, the white car is "driven" by Ivan Stewart). While Kevin Lydy is a real person, he is not an off road racer. He is, in fact, one of the graphics staff on the original arcade game, continuing the previous tradition regarding the CPU drivers.

The Baja

A sequel was created called Super Off Road: the Baja. It was released for Super Nintendo and is based on the Baja 1000 race. The format was changed to a 3rd person camera instead of an overhead camera. The game Excite Truck for the Wii very much resembles the game.

External links

*WoS game|id=0002546|name=Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road Racer
* [http://sega-16.com/review_page.php?id=846&title=Super%20Off%20Road Super Off Road] at [http://sega-16.com Sega-16]