Test Drive
- This page is about the original 1987 game. For the series as a whole, see Test Drive (series).
| Test Drive | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Accolade |
| Publisher(s) | Distinctive Software |
| Designer(s) | Brad Gour, Don Mattrick |
| Engine | {{{engine}}} |
| Latest version | {{{version}}} |
| Release date(s) | Sometime in 1987 |
| Genre | Racing game |
| Mode(s) | Sprint races to gas stations |
| Rating(s) | {{{ratings}}} |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS |
| Media | Floppy |
| System requirements | Who knows? |
| Input | {{{input}}} |
| Monthly fee | {{{fee}}} |
| Active players | {{{players}}} |
“Man, fuck the police!”
It's time for something completely different. Test Drive is a racing game released for all major computers (at the time) sometime in 1987 by now-defunct Accolade. Like the beginning of any great series, it had its fair share of quirks. Nontheless, it provided challenge true to its 80s roots even though it didn't really "define" them. Hope you know how to drive stick shift![1]
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
In it, you choose one of 5 cars and drive exotic cars through dangerous highways, evading traffic, and escape police pursuits in an attempt to get to a gas station in the fastest time possible. You have 5 tries to complete a course or risk failure, but what does it matter? It's a computer game, so it's not too bad.
The Cars[edit | edit source]
Here's a brief overview of what the game offers in terms of vehicles. If these vehicles make an appearance in another title in the series, it is dubbed as a part of the "Original 5" (except for the Porsche, which will be explained later).
- Lamborghini Countach- Everybody loves Lambos, isn't that right? Anyways, the Countach's okay...[2] Then again, speed matters and there really isn't much to say.
- Lotus Esprit Turbo- Also the star of another great title made at the time, Turbo Esprit, this thing does a decent job at everything.
- Chevrolet Corvette C4- A hard hitter, one can make significant strides in the game (unless they're AAA, who will be covered later in this article).
- Porsche 911 Turbo- This is one of its only appearances in the game due to the fact that they are replaced with RUFs later on.[3]
AAA and Test Drive[edit | edit source]
Currently, AAA has the fastest times in all courses with all cars in the game. Nobody has thought about trying to top those times, for it being an impossible feat.