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Darius II (video game)

2025-09-25T18:24:33Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:AC28:57F3:EB73:7801:

{{short description|1989 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Darius II
|image = Darius II flyer.jpg
|caption = Japanese arcade flyer
|developer = [[Taito]]
|publisher = Taito
|director=Hidehiro Fujiwara
|producer=Hidehiro Fujiwara
|designer=Hidehiro Fujiwara Takatsuna Senba
|programmer=Akira Otsuki Tatsuo Nakamura Masashi Tsuzura Shinji Soyano
|artist=Masami Kikuchi Takatsuna Senba Hisakazu Kato
|composer=[[Hisayoshi Ogura]]
|series = ''[[Darius (series)|Darius]]''
|platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Game Boy]], [[TurboGrafx-16#TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM²|Super CD-ROM²]], [[Master System]], [[Sega Saturn]]
|release = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 1989}}|
'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 1989|EU|1989|NA|1989}}'''Mega Drive/Genesis'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 20, 1990|NA|1991|EU|1991}}'''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 13, 1991}}'''Master System'''{{vgrelease|EU|1992}}'''Super CD-ROM²'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 24, 1993}}'''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 7, 1996|EU|1996}}
}}
|genre = [[Shoot 'em up#Scrolling shooters|Scrolling shooter]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Darius II'''''|ダライアスII|Daraiasu Tsū|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is a 1989 [[scrolling shooter]] video game developed and published by [[Taito]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It is a direct sequel to the 1987 title ''[[Darius (video game)|Darius]]''. It was later released as {{nihongo foot|'''''Sagaia'''''|サーガイア|Sāgaia|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} in Japan in 1991 for the [[Game Boy]] as well as non-Japanese ports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=4187|title=Sagaia|work=arcade-museum.com|access-date=June 11, 2011}}</ref> A remake was released for the [[TurboGrafx-16#TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM²|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²]] as {{nihongo foot|'''''Super Darius II'''''|スーパーダライアスII|Sūpā Daraiasu Tsū|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} in 1993.

==Gameplay==
The game is set in the inner half of the [[Solar System]], and has the same branching level structure as ''Darius''.<ref name="gamespy">{{cite web|url= http://hardcoregaming101.net/darius/darius.htm|title= Hardcore Gaming 101: Darius|publisher= [[GameSpy]]|access-date= November 7, 2009|archive-date= November 3, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151103125228/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/darius/darius.htm|url-status= dead}}</ref> Similar to the first ''[[Darius (video game)|Darius]]'' game, ''Darius II'' was programmed for multiple screens; while a three-screen version like the original exists, ''Darius II'' is more commonly and generally represented as a two-screen game.

The red/green/blue powerups from the first game return, and have the same function, respectively. They provide upgrades to the "missile" main weapon, the "bomb" subweapon, and a shield to absorb damage. Two new powerups were added: a yellow powerup that adds a new "laser" main weapon which functions somewhat similarly to the bombs, and a rainbow powerup that grants one upgrade to ''all'' the players weapons. Acquiring these powerups and the upgrade path is vastly different from ''Darius''. A formation of a specific enemy must be completely destroyed (and a formation may not have a powerup), and every single powerup now grants some kind of upgrade. Furthermore, the various weapons upgrade differently, though the shield upgrade is the same as before.

Another new feature in ''Darius II'' is the appearance of [[miniboss]]es known as "captains"; large enemies that appear somewhere in the level before the main boss. In ''Darius II'', these are all smaller versions of bosses from the first game, with similar abilities.<ref name="gamespy"/>

==Plot==
''Darius II'' takes place sometime after the first ''Darius'' game. The colonized planet Darius is recuperating from its invasion from the alien Belser Army thanks to that game's heroes Proco and Tiat. Darius' inhabitants have since situated themselves on the planet Olga while Darius' societies, architecture and attacked areas were being repaired. The space flight Headquarters established on Olga picks up an [[SOS]] signal coming from Earth, where the first colonists originated before colonizing Darius. The signal included the description of alien ships similar to those of the Belser Army. Suspecting these might be their remaining Earthling ancestors, the people of Darius sends both Proco Jr. and Tiat Young to help them.

==Ports==
A [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive]] [[porting|conversion]] was released in Japan in 1990; it was later released for the Genesis in the United States and Brazil in 1991, where it was renamed ''Sagaia''. Changes include a boss rush mode (via a code) and various modifications to levels and mechanics, such as the boss Steel Spine being moved to another level and the boss Killer Higia being replaced with a similar creation called Nehonojia. This conversion does not support two players, so the ability to choose between Proco Jr. and Tiat Young was added; Proco plays like normal, while Tiat starts every life off with one power level to each weapon.

A [[Master System]] conversion, developed by [[Natsume Co., Ltd.|Natsume]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=山村智美|date=March 4, 2019|title=【インタビュー】「ダライアスコズミックコレクション」インタビュー後編|language=JA|website=GAME Watch|location=Japan|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/interview/1171817.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809013009/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/interview/1171817.html|archive-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> was released in Europe and Brazil in 1992, also titled ''Sagaia''. It is somewhat based on the Mega Drive port, and while Tiat Young and her abilities are still present (though even more limited), many zones (and thus bosses) have been completely removed.

The [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²]] version was published by [[NEC Avenue]] and released in 1993 under the title ''Super Darius II''. This version features an entirely new set of bosses, major changes to levels, and a fully arranged soundtrack including new songs.

In 1996, a port of the arcade version itself was released in Japan and Europe for the [[Sega Saturn]], complete with two-player mode and stretchable wide screen modes. The arcade version is also available in the Japan-only ''[[Taito Memories]]'' series of [[Emulator|emulation]]-based compilations.

The arcade version, as well as console versions of ''Darius II'', was included in ''[[Darius Cozmic Collection]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]] on February 28, 2019, and the [[PlayStation 4]] on March 5, 2020 in Japan, and worldwide three months later on June 16, 2020. It was also included as part of ''Taito Milestones 2'' on August 31, 2023 in Japan for the Switch, and worldwide the following day. On October 5, 2023, it was released for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 by [[Hamster Corporation]] through the ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' lineup. This version has a rarer three-screen mode found in ''Taito Milestones 2''.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| CP = 82% (Master System)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Sagaia |magazine=Consoles + |date=July–August 1992 |issue=11 |pages=118–9 |url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=1464&album=oui}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Commodore User]]''
| rev1Score = 84% (Arcade)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arcades |magazine=[[Commodore User]] |date=October 1989 |pages=104–6 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/284/98}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Sega Master Force]]''
| rev2Score = 46% (Master System)<ref name="SMF-Sagaia">{{cite magazine |date=October 1993 |title=Sagaia |magazine=[[Sega Master Force]] |url=http://www.smspower.org/Scans/SegaMasterForce-Magazine-Issue3?gallerypage=49 |issue=3 |page=49 |access-date=December 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{expand section|date=August 2015}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Darius II'' as the sixth most successful upright/cockpit arcade unit of November 1989.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 – アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=368|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=November 15, 1989|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=7516|name=Darius II}}
* {{KLOV game|id=9405|name=Sagaia}}
* [http://www.mobygames.com/game/sagaia ''Sagaia''] at [[MobyGames]]

{{Darius series}}

[[Category:1989 video games]]
[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Darius (series)]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:NEC video games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-CD games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hisayoshi Ogura]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]

Super Sprint

2025-09-25T16:56:58Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:AC28:57F3:EB73:7801:

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Super Sprint
|image = Super Sprint arcade flyer.png
|alt =
|caption = North American arcade flyer
|developer = [[Atari Games]]
|publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Atari Games}}|'''ZX Spectrum, CPC, Atari ST, C64''' [[Electric Dreams Software]] '''2600''' [[Atari Corporation]] '''NES/Famicom'''{{vgrelease|NA|[[Tengen (company)|Tengen]]|JP|Altron}}}}
|designer = {{ubl|Robert Weatherby|Kelly Turner}}
|programmer = {{ubl|Robert Weatherby|Kelly Turner}}
|artist = {{ubl|Will Noble|Kris Moser|Sam Comstock}}
|composer = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Hal Canon}}|'''NES/Famicom''' [[Brad Fuller (composer)|Brad Fuller]]}}
|series = ''[[Sprint 2|Sprint]]''
|platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES/Famicom]]
|released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|April 1986}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 1986<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Atari Games Players Journal|title=Atari Introduces Super Sprint|date=April 1986|volume=1|issue=2|url=http://www.atarimania.com/mags/pdf/atari-games-players-club-vol-01-number-03.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123110153/http://www.atarimania.com/mags/pdf/atari-games-players-club-vol-01-number-03.pdf |archive-date=January 23, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Production Numbers|url=http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|publisher=[[Atari]]|year=1999|archive-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510143012/http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|September 1987<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=July 1987 |title=Future Shocks |url=https://archive.org/stream/Your_Sinclair_019/Your_Sinclair_019#page/n10/mode/1up |magazine=[[Your Sinclair]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |issue=19 |page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=October 1987 |title=Quick Sprint |url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-067/SinclairUser_067_Oct_1987#page/n106/mode/1up |magazine=[[Sinclair User]] |publisher=[[EMAP]] |issue=67 |page=107}}</ref>}} '''Atari ST, CPC, C64'''{{vgrelease|UK|1987}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||March 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/606ccc35-4412-4615-a8db-1def8c98762a |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=1 |date=April 1989 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''NES/Famicom'''{{vgrelease|NA|July 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f7bfc08b-0206-481f-82b5-05d50a7140e5 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=5 |date=August 1989 |page=14}}</ref>|JP|August 3, 1991<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
}}
|genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
|arcade system = [[Atari System|Atari System 2 Hardware]]
}}

'''''Super Sprint''''' is a 1986 [[racing video game]] developed and published by [[Atari Games]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. Up to three players drive [[Formula One]]-like cars on a circuit that is viewed from above.<ref>{{KLOV game|id=9952}}</ref> The game is a successor to ''[[Gran Trak 10]]'' and the ''[[Sprint 2|Sprint]]'' series, which were originally produced by [[Atari, Inc.]] during the 1970s. Later in 1986, the game was revised and re-released as '''''Championship Sprint''''' with different tracks; this version was ported to the [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] in 1987. The 1990 game ''[[Badlands (video game)|Badlands]]'' adds [[vehicular combat game|vehicular combat]] to ''Super Sprint''-style racing.

==Gameplay==
{{Unsourced section|date=September 2025}}
[[File:ARC Super Sprint.png|left|thumb|Arcade screenshot]]
Up to three players drive simultaneously on a circuit against opponents controlled by the computer. The circuits are viewed from above and always fit on the screen, so the game never scrolls. After three laps, the winner advances to the next circuit. There are eight circuits in total, but the game only ends if the player can reach race 85, where the bonus Super Speedway circuit is played. As the player advances to higher levels, more and more obstacles appear on the track, like oil puddles and miniature tornadoes. If the car touches them, the player loses control for a short time. Driving into a wall at high speed or falling from one of the bridges destroys the car, but a helicopter will appear to replace it.

The car can be customized by collecting wrenches that lie on the track. The player can exchange three of them for improved traction, better acceleration or higher top speed.

==Ports==
{{Video game reviews
| title = ''Super Sprint'' (non-arcade reviews)
| YSinclair = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/supersprint.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614151313/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/supersprint.htm |archive-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>
| CRASH = 6/10
| SUser = 7/10
}}
{{Video game reviews
| title = ''Championship Sprint'' (non-arcade reviews)
| YSinclair = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/championshipsprint.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614151308/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/championshipsprint.htm |archive-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>
| CRASH = 4/10
| SUser = 7/10
}}

''Super Sprint'' was ported to the [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] in 1987 by British publisher [[Electric Dreams Software]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thelegacy.de/Museum/3139/ |title=Ports to 8 bit home computers |access-date=August 14, 2004 |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202070121/http://www.thelegacy.de/Museum/3139/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> An unlicensed port was released in 1989 by [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]], a subsidiary of Atari, for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]; it was adapted by Japanese company Altron as a licensed title for the Japanese market in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/super-sprint |title=Super Sprint for NES (1989) |website=Moby Games |access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref>

The game was ported to the [[Atari 2600]] under the name '''''Sprint Master''''' in 1988.<ref name="Weiss">{{cite book |last1=Weiss |first1=Brett |title=Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984 A Complete Reference Guide |date=2011 |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |isbn=9780786487554 |page=111 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzxTtml8Jq4C&dq=%22Sprintmaster%22&pg=PA111 |access-date=February 27, 2021}}</ref>

==Reception==
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Super Sprint'' as the second most successful upright/cockpit arcade unit of August 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=290|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=August 15, 1986|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref> It became Japan's eighth highest-grossing upright/cockpit arcade game during the latter half of 1986,<ref name="GM300">{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '86 下半期 |trans-title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: Second Half '86 |magazine=Game Machine |issue=300 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=January 15, 1987 |page=16 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19870115p.pdf#page=9}}</ref> and the ninth highest-grossing upright/cockpit of the year.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '86 上半期 |trans-title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: First Half '86 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=288 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=July 15, 1986 |page=28 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19860715p.pdf#page=15}}</ref><ref name="GM300"/> It was later Japan's tenth highest-grossing upright/cockpit of 1987.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '87 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=324 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=January 15, 1988 |page=20 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19880115p.pdf#page=11}}</ref>

In 1996, ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' magazine ranked the arcade version number 59 on their list of the "Top 100 Games of All Time"; they said that while the massive [[understeer]] in the game is highly unrealistic, it adds a sense of urgency to the gameplay.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=21 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=September 1996|page=48}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Legacy==
[[File:ARC Championship Sprint.png|thumb|right|''Championship Sprint'']]

Later in 1986, ''Championship Sprint'' was released; it is almost identical, but with different tracks, and with a standard-size two-player cabinet instead of ''Super Sprint'''s wide three-player cabinet. It was ported to the [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[Commodore 64]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/championship-sprint |title=Championship Sprint for Amstrad CPC (1988) |publisher=MobyGames |date=May 31, 2007 |accessdate=August 30, 2011}}</ref>

''[[Badlands (video game)|Badlands]]'' is a post-apocalyptic re-theming of ''Super Sprint'' released in arcades by Atari Games in 1990. It adds weapons to vehicles.

===Re-releases===
A [[Game Boy Advance]] version was released along with ''[[Spy Hunter]]'' in a dual-game pack in 2005.

''Super Sprint'' is included in the compilation ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures]]'' for the [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and [[Windows]]. Its sequel, ''Championship Sprint'', was released for the same systems in ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures 2]]'', and as a downloadable game for the [[PlayStation 3]]. Both games are also part of the 2012 compilation ''[[Midway Arcade Origins]]'' for the PlayStation 3 and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review|title = Midway Arcade Origins Review|date = November 14, 2012}}</ref>

In 2016, ''Super Sprint'' was re-released in the ''[[Lego Dimensions]]'' Midway Arcade Level Pack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://videochums.com/review/lego-dimensions-midway-arcade-level-pack |title=Lego Dimensions: Midway Arcade Level Pack Review |date=March 20, 2016 |publisher=Video Chums |accessdate=March 20, 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=9952}}
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=2761 ''Super Sprint''] at Arcade History
* {{WoS game|id=0005045}}
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=438 ''Championship Sprint''] at Arcade History

{{Atari Games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari arcade games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Midway video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Tengen (company) games]]
[[Category:Unauthorized video games]]
[[Category:Top-down racing video games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Brad Fuller]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]

Pole Position

2025-09-25T16:40:48Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:AC28:57F3:EB73:7801:

{{Short description|1982 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Pole Position
| image = Pole Position cover.jpg
| caption = European arcade flyer
| developer = [[Namco]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP/EU|Namco<ref name="EU">{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Pole Position, Namco (EU) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=6537 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref>|NA/FRA|[[Atari, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Pole Position, Atari, Inc. (France) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=3898 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref>}}
| designer = Kazunori Sawano Sho Osugi Shinichiro Okamoto
| composer = Nobuyuki Ohnogi Yuriko Keino
| programmer = Koichi Tashiro
| series = ''Pole Position''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 5200]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[Vectrex]], [[VIC-20]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[TI-99/4A]], [[BBC Micro]], [[Intellivision]], [[MS-DOS]], [[mobile phone]]}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 16, 1982}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 16, 1982|NA|November 30, 1982|EU|Late 1982}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||August 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=Atari VCS game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-vcs-game-release-dates/}}</ref>}} '''5200'''{{vgrelease||September 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=Atari 5200 game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-5200-game-release-dates/ |website=Atari Archive}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease||October 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/986f042e-b8fd-4c7a-94fd-d86c3065e39c |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=8 |date=November 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Vectrex'''{{vgrelease||November 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=GCE Vectrex game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/gce-vectrex-game-release-dates/ |website=Atari Archive}}</ref>}} '''VIC-20'''{{vgrelease|EU|1983|NA|Early 1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/37fe5432-d267-4327-ac84-98af0982eaf0 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=12 |date=March 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|April 1984<ref>{{cite web |title=Pole Position |url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3806/ZX-Spectrum/Pole_Position |website=Spectrum Computing}}</ref>}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|NA|May 1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f316eb98-2116-4984-9360-1263e60e0acd |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=May 1984 |page=16}}</ref>|UK|March 1985}} '''BBC Micro'''{{vgrelease|UK|November 1984}} '''Intellivision'''{{vgrelease||March 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=Mattel Intellivision game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/mattel-intellivision-game-release-dates/ |website=Atari Archive}}</ref>}} '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease||1988}}
}}
| genre = [[Racing game|Racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Pole Position'''''|ポールポジション|Pōru Pojishon|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1982 [[Racing game|racing]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Namco]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]]. It was licensed to [[Atari, Inc.]] for US manufacture and distribution. ''Pole Position'' is considered one of the most important titles from the [[golden age of arcade video games]]. It was an evolution of Namco's earlier arcade racing [[electro-mechanical game]]s, like ''[[F-1 (arcade game)|F-1]]'' (1976), whose designer Sho Osugi worked on ''Pole Position''.

The game was a major commercial success in arcades. After becoming the highest-grossing arcade game of 1982 in Japan, it went on to become the most popular coin-operated arcade video game internationally in 1983. In North America, it was the [[Arcade video game#Highest-grossing|highest-grossing arcade game]] for both 1983 and 1984 and still one of the top five in 1985.

''Pole Position'' spawned ports, sequels, and a [[Pole Position (TV series)|Saturday morning cartoon]], although the cartoon has little in common with the game. The game established the conventions of the racing genre and its success inspired many [[Video game clone|imitators]]. ''Pole Position'' is regarded as [[List of video games considered the best|one of the most influential video games of all time]], and is considered to be the most influential racing game in particular. A sequel, ''[[Pole Position II]]'', was released in 1983 with four tracks instead of one.

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Pole0000.png|thumbnail|left|The player's car approaching a curve]]

The player assumes the role of a [[Formula One]] [[race car]] driver who is attempting to compete in a race at the [[Fuji Speedway]]. The first objective is to complete a one-lap [[time trial]] within a specified time limit in order to qualify for the race. A successful qualification awards bonus points and sets the player's starting position among seven computer-controlled cars, based on the lap time. The actual race consists of a set number of laps, with a set amount of time given at the start and more granted after each lap.

During both the time trial and the race, the player can briefly lose control of the car by running through puddles on the track, colliding with other cars, or driving around curves too quickly. Running off the track and into the grass will slow the car down. Billboards placed next to the track will destroy the car if it collides with one of them, resulting in a brief delay as a new car is put into play.

The game ends when the player either runs out of time during the qualifying lap or the race, or completes the final lap. The player earns bonus points for every car passed, and an additional bonus for any time left on the clock.

''Pole Position'' was the first racing video game to feature a track based on a real racing circuit. It was also the first game to feature a qualifying lap, requiring the player to finish a time trial before they can compete in [[Formula One|Grand Prix]] races. Once the player has qualified, they must complete the race in the time allowed, avoiding collisions with CPU-controlled opponents and billboards along the sides of the track. The game's North American distributor, Atari, publicized the game for its "unbelievable driving realism" in providing a [[Formula 1]] experience behind a [[racing wheel]]. The game's graphics featured full-colour landscapes with [[Sprite (computer graphics)#Move to 3D|scaling sprites]], including race cars and other signs, and a [[2.5D|pseudo-3D]], [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]], rear perspective view of the track, with its vanishing point swaying side to side as the player approaches corners, accurately simulating forward movement into the distance.<ref>Bernard Perron & Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), ''Video game theory reader two'', p. 157, [[Taylor & Francis]], {{ISBN|0-415-96282-X}}</ref> While earlier three-dimensional arcade driving games emphasized staying on the road while avoiding crashes, ''Pole Position'' gives a higher reward for passing rival cars and finishing among the leaders.<ref name="award"/>

==Development==
[[File:Pole Position in Computerspielemuseum, Berlin.jpg|thumb|right|A ''Pole Position'' arcade cabinet]]
''Pole Position'' was created by both Shinichiro Okamoto and ''[[Galaxian]]'' designer Kazunori Sawano.<ref name="Interview"/> Namco [[electro-mechanical game]] engineer Sho Osugi also assisted with development.<ref name="Interview"/> Based on Namco's experience with producing coin-operated electro-mechanical driving games in the 1970s, notably ''[[F-1 (arcade game)|F-1]]'' (1976) designed by Sho Osugi, Sawano showed Okamoto rough sketches of his idea, who liked it enough to begin production of a video racing game. Okamoto wanted the game to be a true driving simulation game that used a 3D perspective and allowed the player to execute real-world techniques.<ref name="TV Game">{{cite book |author1=Video Game Museum Project |title=Terebi gēmu. |date=June 1988 |publisher=You B You |isbn=978-4946432316 |url=http://shmuplations.com/earlyarcade/ |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="Interview"/> He also chose to add the [[Fuji Speedway]] into the game to make newer players recognize it when they first played.<ref name="TV Game"/> Music was jointly composed by Nobuyuki Ohnogi and Yuriko Keino.<ref name="Szczepaniak">{{cite book |last1=Szczepaniak |first1=John |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |date=11 August 2014 |isbn=978-0992926007 |pages=201 |edition=First |url=https://archive.org/details/TheUntoldHistoryOfJapaneseGameDevelopersVol.2JohnSzczepaniak/page/n361?q=cutie+q |access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>

Development of the game lasted for three years.<ref name="Interview"/> Okamoto recalls the most challenging part of development being to produce the hardware needed to run it, as the game was too "ambitious" to run on older hardware.<ref name="TV Game"/> The development team used two [[16-bit]] processors to power the game, which Okamoto says was an unheard-of concept for arcade games at the time<ref name="TV Game"/>—for a while, it was the only video game to use a [[Zilog Z8000|Z8000]] CPU.<ref name="Interview"/> ''[[Pac-Man]]'' creator [[Toru Iwatani]] chose the name ''Pole Position'' as he thought it sounded "cool" and appealing, and he shortly after filed a trademark for it.<ref name="Iwatani">{{cite web |title=バンダイナムコ知新「第1回ビデオゲームのはじまり後編」岩谷徹氏インタビュー |url=https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/asobimotto/page/videogame2.html |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |access-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827174942/https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/asobimotto/page/videogame2.html |archive-date=27 August 2019 |date=6 March 2019}}</ref> The controls also proved to be a challenge, as Okamoto wanted them to feel realistic and to match up with the gameplay<ref name="TV Game"/> — Osugi remembers Namco president [[Masaya Nakamura (businessman)|Masaya Nakamura]] becoming frustrated with them, having difficulty keeping the car moving in a straight line.<ref name="Interview">{{cite web |title=バンダイナムコ知新「第2回カーレースゲームの変遷前編」大杉章氏、岡本進一郎氏、岡本達郎氏インタビュー |url=https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/asobimotto/page/carracinggames1.html |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |access-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514132224/https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/asobimotto/page/carracinggames1.html |archive-date=14 May 2019 |date=25 April 2019}}</ref> The game is an early example of [[product placement]] in a video game, with billboards around the track advertising actual companies such as [[Pepsi]], [[Marlboro]], and [[Canon Inc.|Canon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qtchicks.hp.infoseek.co.jp/namco_pp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220212702/http://qtchicks.hp.infoseek.co.jp/namco_pp.html|archive-date=2007-12-20 |script-title=ja:ポールポジション／II |language=ja |access-date=2009-07-03}}</ref> The development team had long fights over how fast the gear-shift should be, until it was ultimately decided to simply be either high or low speed.<ref name="Interview"/>

==Release==
''Pole Position'' was officially released in Japan on September 16, 1982.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pole Position (Registration Number PA0000184751) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref><ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005">{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n53/mode/1up|chapter=ナムコ Namco|title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|page=52|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref> It was licensed to [[Atari, Inc.]] for release in North America, where it made its debut at [[Chicago]]'s 1982 Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) show, held during November 18–20,<ref name="VideoGames">{{cite magazine | magazine = Video Games| volume = 1 | publisher = Pumpkin Press | issue = 6 | page = 66 | title = Top Ten Hits | date=March 1983 | url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_06_1983-03_Pumpkin_Press_US#page/n65/mode/2up}}</ref> before receiving a mass-market North American release on November 30, 1982,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pole Position (Registration Number PA0000184750) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> while Namco themselves released the game in Europe in late 1982.<ref name="EU"/>{{Better source needed|date=August 2025}} After its release, Osugi stated that all of Namco's older electro-mechanical driving games were discontinued, as the company saw the future of arcade racers in the form of video games.<ref name="Interview"/>

''Pole Position'' was released in two configurations: a standard upright cabinet and an environmental/cockpit cabinet. Both versions include a steering wheel and a gear shifter for low and high gears, but the environmental/cockpit cabinet featured both an accelerator and a brake pedal, while the standard upright one only featured an accelerator pedal.<ref name="KLOV">[http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9063 http://www.arcade-museum.com] - Pole Position - video game by Atari</ref> The environmental/cockpit cabinet was chosen due to the popularity of such machines at the time.<ref name="Interview"/>

In 1983, Atari commissioned a TV commercial for the [[Atari 2600]] and [[Atari 5200|5200]] versions of the game that was shown exclusively on [[MTV]]; it was one of a series of spots for the company's games that were specifically created for the network around the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digthatbox.com/classic_1980s_atari_mtv_commercials.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912015358/http://digthatbox.com/classic_1980s_atari_mtv_commercials.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 12, 2011|title=Classic 1980s Atari MTV Commercials|website=digthatbox.com}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Sales===
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' magazine listed ''Pole Position'' as the highest-grossing [[1982 in video games|arcade game of 1982]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title="Pole Position" No. 1 Video Game: ''Game Machine''{{'}}s "The Year's Best Three AM Machines" Survey Results|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=207|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 March 1983|page=30|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19830301p.pdf#page=16}}</ref> and later listed it as the second top-grossing upright arcade unit of May 1983,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=213|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 June 1983|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref> before it returned to being the top-grossing game of October 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=222|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 October 1983|page=35|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831015p.pdf#page=18}}</ref> Internationally, ''Pole Position'' was the most popular game of 1983.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Racing Games Roundup: Facts |title=[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]] |date=2008 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00guin_0/page/153 |publisher=Little Brown Books |page=154|isbn=9781904994213}}</ref> In Europe, it was a top-grossing arcade game in 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Drive a Laser Racer! Grand Prix |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1983 |issue=25 (November 1983) |page=31 |url=https://archive.org/details/computer-video-games-magazine-025/page/n30}}</ref>

In the United States, it sold over 21,000 [[arcade cabinet]]s for an estimated {{US$|61 million|long=no}} (${{formatprice|{{inflation|US|61000000|1982}}}} adjusted for inflation) by 1983.<ref name="atari_memo2">{{cite web|last=Fujihara|first=Mary|title=Inter Office Memo|url=http://www.atarigames.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:atari-sales-estimates-for-other-manufactures-2&catid=5:atari-inter-office-memos&Itemid=5|publisher=[[Atari]]|access-date=18 March 2012|date=1983-11-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705035754/http://www.atarigames.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:atari-sales-estimates-for-other-manufactures-2&catid=5:atari-inter-office-memos&Itemid=5|archive-date=2015-07-05}}</ref><ref name="atari_production">{{cite web|title=Atari Production Numbers Memo|url=http://www.atarigames.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47:atari-production-numbers-memo&catid=5:atari-inter-office-memos&Itemid=5|publisher=[[Atari Games]]|access-date=18 March 2012|date=4 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120084806/http://www.atarigames.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47%3Aatari-production-numbers-memo&catid=5%3Aatari-inter-office-memos&Itemid=5|archive-date=20 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, US coin drop earnings averaged {{US$|9.5 million|long=no}} ({{US$|{{inflation|US|9.5|1982}} million|long=no}} adjusted for inflation) per week<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lendino |first1=Jamie |title=Attract Mode: The Rise and Fall of Coin-Op Arcade Games |date=27 September 2020 |publisher=Steel Gear Press |page=220 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d6wCEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA220}}</ref> ($450 weekly per machine).<ref>[http://www.vasulka.org/archive/Writings/VideogameImpact.pdf#page=13 Video game mass impact]</ref> On the US ''RePlay'' arcade charts, it topped the upright cabinet charts for seven months in 1983, from March<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=March 1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=April 1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=May 1983}}</ref> through August<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=June 1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=July 1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=August 1983}}</ref> and again in December.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=December 1983}}</ref> It also topped the US ''[[Play Meter]]'' arcade charts for six consecutive months from March<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Top 15 Arcade Games: March 15, 1983 |magazine=Video Games |date=May 1983 |volume=1 |issue=8 |page=82 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_08_1983-05_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n81/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Play Meter's Equipment Poll: Top Videos |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=May 1, 1983 |volume=9 |issue=8 |page=16 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-9-number-8-may-1st-1983-600dpi/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%209%2C%20Number%208%20-%20May%201st%2C%201983%20%28Compressed%29/page/16/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Top 12 Arcade Games: May 15, 1983 |magazine=Video Games |date=July 1983 |volume=1 |issue=10 |page=82 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_10_1983-07_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n81}}</ref> through August 1983,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Top Arcade Games: June 15, 1983 |magazine=Video Games |date=August 1983 |volume=1 |issue=11 |page=82 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_11_1983-08_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n81/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 15 Arcade Games |magazine=Video Games |date=September 1983 |volume=1 |issue=12 |page=82 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_12_1983-09_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n81/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 20 Arcade Games |magazine=Video Games |date=October 1983 |volume=2 |issue=1 |page=82 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_2_Number_01_1983-10_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n81/mode/1up}}</ref> and then topped the street locations chart in November 1983.<ref name="November">{{cite magazine |title=Play Meter's Equipment Poll: Top Videos |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=November 15, 1983}}</ref> It ended the year as the highest-grossing arcade game of 1983 in North America,<ref name="final_lap_twin">{{cite web|last=Gifford|first=Kevin|title=Final Lap Twin|url=http://magweasel.com/2011/03/16/i-love-the-pc-engine-final-lap-twin/|publisher=MagWeasel|access-date=28 April 2012|date=March 16, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630023458/http://magweasel.com/2011/03/16/i-love-the-pc-engine-final-lap-twin/|archive-date=2017-06-30}}</ref> according to ''RePlay''<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Hits of Last 5 Years |magazine=RePlay |date=March 1987}}</ref> and the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA),<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Around The Route |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=26 November 1983 |page=32 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox45unse_24/page/32 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.}}</ref> and again became the highest-grossing [[1984 in video games|arcade game of 1984]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Sweeps AMOA Awards; 'Pole Position' Wins In Games Division |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=November 10, 1984 |pages=31, 33 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1984/CB-1984-11-10.pdf#page=31}}</ref> Several years after its release, it was still one of the top five highest-grossing [[1985 in video games|arcade video games of 1985]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=AMOA Expo '85: 1985 AMOA Award Nominees |magazine=RePlay |date=November 1985 |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=62, 64, 66 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-2-november-1985-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201985/page/62}}</ref>

The console version topped the UK sales charts in late 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|title=Video Gaming: Top Ten|pages=40–1|issue=26 (December 1983)|date=16 November 1983|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-video-games-magazine-026/page/n39/mode/2up}}</ref> In the United States between 1986 and 1990, the Atari 2600 version sold {{formatnum:{{#expr:128682+194486+206406+33855+14852}}|}} units for {{US$|{{#expr:710102+1115886+1528926+239073+48259}}|long=no}}, the Atari 5200 version sold {{formatnum:{{#expr:9455+2993+44}}|}} units for {{US$|{{#expr:47416+14965+220}}|long=no}}, and the version for [[Atari 8-bit computers]] version sold {{formatnum:{{#expr:(140+36)+1157+7067+576+228}}|}} units for {{US$|{{#expr:(1327+341)+12154+84385+5711+2096}}|long=no}}, adding up to {{formatnum:{{#expr:578281+12492+9204}}|}} units sold and {{US$|{{#expr:3642246+62601+106014}}|long=no|1986|round=-5}} grossed between 1986 and 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vendel|first=Curt|date=May 28, 2009|title=Site News|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/whatsnew/2009-MAY-28.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206090952/http://www.atarimuseum.com/whatsnew/2009-MAY-28.html|archive-date=2010-12-06|access-date=2021-11-27|website=Atari Museum}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews
|Allgame = {{rating|3|5}} (Arcade)<ref name="Allgame">{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Brad |title=Pole Position - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=10740&tab=review |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=All Media Network |access-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114201835/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=10740&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |date=1998}}</ref>
|CVG = Positive (Arcade)<ref name="CVG18"/> 34/40 (Atari VCS)<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|title=Software Reviews|page=31|issue=26 (December 1983)|date=16 November 1983|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-video-games-magazine-026/page/n30/mode/1up}}</ref> 85% (Atari VCS)<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
|EuroG = 6/10 (retrospective)<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |last1=Wild |first1=Kim |title=Pole Position |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/pole-position-review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |access-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010111459/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/pole-position-review |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |date=October 29, 2007}}</ref>
|YSinclair = {{rating|4|5}} (Spectrum)<ref>{{cite journal|title=Joystick Jury|journal=[[Your Sinclair|Your Spectrum]]| date=April 1985 |issue=13|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSpectrum/Issue13/Pages/YourSpectrum1300049.jpg|access-date=11 February 2012|page=49}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Computer Gamer]]''
|rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}} (Spectrum)<ref>{{cite journal|title=Pole Position|journal=[[Computer Gamer]]|date=September 1985|issue=6|url= http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ComputerGamer/Issue06/Pages/ComputerGamer0600064.jpg|access-date=11 February 2012|page=64}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''Computer Games''
|rev2Score = Classic (home computers)<ref name="CG1985">{{cite magazine |title=1985 Software Buyer's Guide |magazine=Computer Games |date=February 1985 |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=11–8, 51–8 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Games_Vol_3_No_5_1985-02_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n13/mode/2up}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Electronic Games]]''
|rev3Score = Positive (Arcade)<ref name="sharpe198306"/>
|rev4 = ''[[Telematch]]''
|rev4Score = {{Rating|6|6}} (2600)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_telematch_1983-06_seite24|title=Kultpower Archiv: Komplettscan Telematch 6/1983|website=www.kultpower.de|access-date=2015-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191343/http://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_telematch_1983-06_seite24|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{Rating|5|6}} (Vectrex)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_telematch_1984-03_seite28|title=Kultpower Archiv: Komplettscan Telematch 3/1984|website=www.kultpower.de|access-date=2015-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209002921/http://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_telematch_1984-03_seite28|archive-date=2018-02-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''Video Games''
|rev5Score = Positive (Arcade)<ref name="VideoGames"/>
|award1Pub = [[Electronic Games|Arcade Awards]] (1983)
|award1=[[List of Game of the Year awards|Coin-Op Game of the Year]]<ref name="award">{{cite magazine|title=Coin-Op Game of the Year|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=January 1984|volume=2| issue=23|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGames/Electronic%20Games%20Issue%2023%20%28January%201984%29/page/n77|page=77}}</ref>
|award2Pub = [[Electronic Games|Arkie Awards]] (1984)
|award2=[[List of Game of the Year awards|Computer Game of the Year]] ({{nowrap|Certificate of Merit}})<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Coin-Op Game of the Year|magazine=[[Electronic Games]] |date=January 1985|volume=3|issue=35|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGames/Electronic%20Games%20Issue%2031%20%28January%201985%29/page/n14/mode/1up|page=28}}</ref>
|award3Pub = ''[[Softline (magazine)|Softline]]'' (1984)
|award3=Most Popular Program: Atari ({{nowrap|Fourth Place}})<ref name="stgame19840304">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1984&pub=6&id=16 | title=The Best and the Rest | work=St.Game | date=Mar–Apr 1984 | access-date=28 July 2014 | pages=49}}</ref>
}}
Upon its North American debut at AMOA, ''Pole Position'' was reviewed by ''Video Games'' magazine, which listed it among the show's top ten games. They compared it favorably with Sega's ''[[Turbo (video game)|Turbo]]'' (1981), referring to ''Pole Position'' as "Turbo Deluxe" in "a speedway, not a cross-country race". They called ''Pole Position'' the "ultimate test of driving skill" for racing players.<ref name="VideoGames"/> ''[[Electronic Games]]'' reviewed the arcade game in 1983, writing that it "keeps the action on track from start to finish" with "challenging play", noting the gameplay is "reasonably faithful to real life" Formula One races. They also praised the sound effects and "solid, realistic graphics", stating it has "very rich color images" and "dimensional depth to the graphics".<ref name="sharpe198306">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_01_Number_16_1983-06_Reese_Communications_US/page/n91 | title=Insert Coin Here | work=Electronic Games | date=June 1983 | author=Sharpe, Roger C. | pages=92–97}}</ref> They gave it the 1983 [[Electronic Games#Awards|Arcade Award]] for [[List of Game of the Year awards|Coin-Op Game of the Year]], praising the racing gameplay, "beautiful graphics" and "breathtaking" scenery as well as "the two-[[Tournament|heat]] format for the race itself".<ref name="award" />

''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' reviewed the arcade game in 1983, writing that it "is simply the most exhilarating [[Sim racing|driving simulation]] game on the market". They compared it favorably with ''Turbo'', stating that, while ''Turbo'' "featured better landscapes," it "can't match the speed, thrills and skill behind this new race game". They said ''Pole Position''{{'}}s graphics "are sophisticated and believable", noting how cars "turning corners are shown in every graphic detail of the maneuvre". They also praised the gameplay, concluding that "trying to hold a screaming curve or overtake" offers "thrills to compare with the real racetrack".<ref name="CVG18">{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 March 1983 |issue=18 (April 1983) |pages=30–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-018/page/n29/mode/2up}}</ref> It was considered the all-time best racing/driving game by ''[[InfoWorld]]'' in 1983<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Industry |journal=[[InfoWorld]] |date=5 December 1983 |volume=5 |issue=49 |page=155 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6C8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA155 |publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.}}</ref> and ''Computer Games'' in early 1985.<ref name="CG1985"/>

Reviewing the Atari 8-bit version, ''InfoWorld'' called it "by far the best road-race game ever thrown on a video screen" with "bright and brilliant" graphics,<ref name="mace19831107">{{cite news | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0C8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73 | title=Electronic Antics | work=InfoWorld | date=1983-11-07 | access-date=15 February 2015 | author=Mace, Scott | pages=73–74}}</ref> and reiterated the recommendation in ''InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers'',<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n83/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=74}}</ref> but said the Commodore 64 version "looks like a rush job and is far from arcade-game quality".<ref name="mace19840409">{{cite news | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jC4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50 | title=Atarisoft vs. Commodore | work=InfoWorld | date=1984-04-09 | access-date=4 February 2015 | author=Mace, Scott | pages=50}}</ref> ''Computer Games'' magazine criticized the Commodore conversions for lacking various features from the arcade original, giving the C64 version a mixed review and the VIC-20 version a negative review.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Conversion Capsules: Hit Games in New Formats |magazine=Computer Games |date=December 1984 |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=62–3 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Games_Vol_3_No_4_1984-12_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n61/mode/2up}}</ref> ''Computer and Video Games'' reviewed the Atari 2600 version, stating it is "the best driving game available" on the Atari VCS.<ref name="CVG"/> When reviewing the [[Atari 5200]] version, ''Hi-Res'' in 1984 found "the playability of the game to be limited and the graphics to be the strongest aspect of the game". The magazine preferred [[Adventure International]]'s ''Rally Speedway'' to both ''Pole Position'' and [[Epyx]]'s ''Pitstop''.<ref name="reed19840506">{{cite news | url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/hi-res/v1n4/reviews.php | title=Pole Position / Pitstop | work=Hi-Res | date=May–June 1984 | access-date=22 December 2014 | author=Reed, Stephen | pages=14}}</ref>

In 2007, ''[[Eurogamer]]'' gave it a mixed retrospective review, calling it "a simulation down to the core" and that those dedicated racing fans will be deterred by the game's difficulty.<ref name="EuroG"/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called ''Pole Position'' one of the top ten games for the [[Atari 2600]] in 2013.<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.ew.com/article/2013/01/25/the-10-best-atari-games | first=Aaron | last=Morales | title=The 10 best Atari games | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=January 25, 2013 | access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{more citations needed|date=April 2019}}
''Pole Position'' is regarded as one of the most influential [[video game]]s of [[History of video games|all time]], and was the most successful racing game of the [[golden age of arcade video games]]. Bill Loguce and Matt Barton listed it as one of the 25 most influential games of all time, calling it "arguably the most important racing game ever made".<ref name="Loguidice">{{citation|title=Vintage Games: An Insider Look at the History of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the Most Influential Games of All Time|first1=Bill|last1=Loguidice|first2=Matt|last2=Barton|publisher=[[Focal Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-240-81146-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_bFdsP9L7oC|pages=195–6|ref=vintage_log}}</ref> In 1984, ''Electronic Games'' stated that, for "the first time in the amusement parlors, a first-person racing game gives a higher reward for passing cars and finishing among the leaders rather than just for keeping all four wheels on the road, thus making driving an art".<ref name="award"/> In 1995, ''[[Flux (magazine)|Flux]]'' magazine ranked the game 32nd on their "Top 100 Video Games".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1995 |title=Top 100 Video Games |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n29/mode/2up |journal=Flux |publisher=Harris Publications |issue=4 |pages=28}}</ref> In 2015, ''Pole Position'' topped [[IGN]]'s list of The Top 10 Most Influential Racing Games Ever. They stated it had "a drastically better-looking" third-person "chase cam view" than ''Turbo'', was "the first racing game based on a real-world racing circuit ([[Fuji Speedway]] in Japan)", "introduced checkpoints, and was the first to require a qualifying lap", and that its success, as "the [[List of best-selling video games|highest-grossing]] arcade game in North America in 1983, cemented the genre in place for decades to come and inspired a horde of other racing games".<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2015/04/03/the-top-10-most-influential-racing-games-ever?page=2|title=The Top 10 Most Influential Racing Games Ever|date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

''Pole Position'' spawned ports, sequels, and a [[Pole Position (TV series)|Saturday morning cartoon]].<ref name="final_lap_twin"/> The game spawned a number of clones, such as ''Top Racer'' from [[Commodore International]], which led to a lawsuit from Namco against Commodore Japan that led to the seizure of ''Top Racer'' copies.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Overseas Readers Column: Namco Sued Commodore Japan|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=208|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 March 1983|page=26|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19830315p.pdf#page=14}}</ref> [[Parker Brothers]] also published a [[board game]] based on ''Pole Position'' in 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2732/pole-position/credits |title=Pole Position (1983) | website=boardgamegeek.com |access-date=17 May 2022}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=9063|name=Pole Position}}

{{Final Lap series|state=expanded}}
{{Formula One games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pole Position (Video Game)}}
[[Category:Pole Position and Final Lap series]]
[[Category:1982 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Atari arcade games]]
[[Category:Bandai Namco Entertainment franchises]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Intellivision games]]
[[Category:VIC-20 games]]
[[Category:Formula One video games]]
[[Category:Namco arcade games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:TI-99/4A games]]
[[Category:Vectrex games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Yuriko Keino]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Video games with 2.5D graphics]]