Slipstream 5000
A 3D airplane combat racer ahead of its console competition.
Slipstream 5000 is a 3D airplane video game that blends racing with combat. It was developed by The Software Refinery and published by Gremlin Interactive, launching for MS-DOS in July 1995. The game was also bundled for free with Classic Logitech Wingman Extreme Joysticks during the 1990s. In 2011, GOG.com released an emulated version for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
A separate conversion, simply called Slipstream, was in development for the Japanese PlayStation market in 1996. This version was intended to be later reworked for a European release. Little information was shared about it, though its ships were designed by Japanese manga artists, giving it an "urban manga" aesthetic. A Saturn port was also in the works.
Sales were modest, largely due to strong competition from console games, but the title was generally well received. Its 3D graphics and gameplay were considered advanced for the era. Although it was soon surpassed by console games with better visuals, Slipstream 5000 was later regarded as having been years ahead of its rivals. PC Gamer US gave it an 89% rating, while Next Generation awarded the MS-DOS version three stars out of five.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Slipstream 5000
- Developer
- The Software Refinery
- Publisher
- Gremlin Interactive
- Producer
- Anthony Casson
- Programmer
- Ciaran Gultnieks / Ian Martin
- Artist
- Mark Griffiths
- Composer
- Chris Adams / Neil Biggin
- Released
- July 1995
- Genre
- Racing
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- MS-DOS
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Slipstream 5000 was released for MS-DOS by Gremlin Interactive in July 1995. It was also distributed free with Classic Logitech Wingman Extreme Joysticks during the 1990s. GOG.com released an emulated version for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X in 2011.
An unreleased conversion titled Slipstream was in preparation for the PlayStation's Japanese market in 1996, with plans to later reshape it for European release. Little was publicised about this version, though it was described as having an 'urban manga' look, with ships designed by Japanese manga artists. A Saturn version was also in development.
The game faced stiff competition from consoles, which limited its sales, but it was generally well received. Its 3D graphics and gameplay were considered advanced for its time, and it was later described as having been years ahead of its competition.
Reader's Guide
Slipstream 5000 holds a notable place in mid-1990s PC gaming as a hybrid of racing and combat in a fully 3D environment. While sales were not high due to competition from console titles, the game earned strong critical reception, including an 89% rating from PC Gamer US. Next Generation gave the MS-DOS version three stars out of five. The game was soon superseded by console games with superior graphics, but retrospective commentary described it as having been years ahead of its competition. Its legacy includes an unreleased PlayStation and Saturn conversion that would have featured an urban manga aesthetic, though little else is known about those versions. The game's availability through GOG.com in 2011 allowed a new audience to experience its early 3D flight racing.
Did You Know?
- An unreleased PlayStation conversion called Slipstream was planned for the Japanese market in 1996, with ships designed by Japanese manga artists.
- PC Gamer US rated the game at 89%.
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