Speed King (1985 video game)
Motorcycle racing game ported from Full Throttle.
Speed King is a motorcycle racing video game released in 1985 for the Commodore 64 and in 1986 for several other platforms including the MSX. It is a port of the 1984 ZX Spectrum game Full Throttle, both developed by Mervyn Estcourt. A sequel, Speed King 2, was released for the ZX Spectrum in 1986.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Mervyn J. Estcourt (C64)
- Sculptured Software (Atari 8-bit)
- Shaun Southern (C16)
- Publisher
- Digital Integration (C64); Mastertronic (all other versions)
- Genre
- Racing game
- Modes
- Single player
- Platform
- Amstrad CPC
- Atari 8-bit
- Commodore 16
- Commodore 64
- MSX
- Released
- 1985: C64; 1986: Atari 8-bit, C16, CPC, MSX
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Speed King is a single-player racing game with a perspective view from behind the motorcycle, similar to Pole Position. Players select from ten real-world circuits, can preview tracks from a first-person view, and take test laps. Each race includes 19 opponents across three difficulty levels. The motorcycle has a six-speed manual transmission with maximum speeds of 42, 56, 83, 144, 174, and 250 miles per hour. Colliding with an opponent or leaving the road causes the rider to fall off and restart from a standstill. The Commodore 16 version has four tracks, five laps, no skill levels, and allows only gear changes without speed control.
Reception
MSX Computing noted that motorcycle racing games are uncommon and predicted the game would be popular. Zzap!64 gave it 88% in the UK edition and 91% in the US edition, while the Italian edition scored it 56%, comparing it to Shaun Southern's Formula One Simulator. Input MSX rated it 37 out of 50, and ASM gave it 10 out of 10. Happy Computer awarded 68%. Commodore User stated the game adds nothing new, praised the graphics especially when banking, but found the controls too sensitive; Ken McMahon later gave it 4 out of 10. Amtix gave 31% overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published Speed King (1985 video game)?
Speed King was published by Digital Integration (C64) and Mastertronic (all other versions).
What platforms is Speed King (1985 video game) available on?
Speed King was released for Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 16, Commodore 64 and MSX.
More in MSX Game Library
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