:Club Drive

{{distinguish|Driveclub}}

{{Short description|1994 video game}}

{{good article}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Club Drive

| image = Atari Jaguar Club Drive cover art.jpg

| developer = Atari Corporation

| publisher = Atari Corporation

| programmer = Todd Powers

| artist = Ed Pearson

| platforms = Atari Jaguar

| released = {{vgrelease|NA|November 1994|EU|December 1994}}

| genre = Sim racing

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

Club Drive is a 1994 racing simulation video game developed and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari Jaguar. The game is set in a car-friendly amusement park where players can engage in different modes like racing, tag, or item collecting. The game gives allows exploration of various themed arenas, with each mode featuring its own set of rules and objectives for competitive play.

Club Drive was conceived by lead programmer Todd Powers. The game was intended to feature online play via the Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator, but was developed without online features due to the modem's cancellation. Journalists gave the game unfavorable reviews for its visuals and gameplay, with limited praise for its multiplayer and exploration. Retrospective commentary has been mixed, with several journalists calling it one of the worst video games of all time.

Gameplay

{{multiple image

|align = left

|direction = vertical

|image1 = JAG Club Drive (Collect).png

|image2 = JAG Club Drive (Race).png

|caption2 = Top: Collect mode gameplay.
Bottom: Race mode gameplay.

}}

Club Drive is a racing simulation game.{{cite magazine|last1=Vertriebs|first1=Just|last2=Meyne|first2=Thorsten|url=https://archive.org/details/atari-inside-1995-02/page/40/mode/1up|title=Games Inside - Last-Minute: Club Drive|magazine=Atari Inside|issue=2|publisher={{ill|Falkemedia|lt=Falkemedia|de|falkemedia}}|date=February–March 1995|page=40|language=de}} ([https://www.stcarchiv.de/ai1995/02/jaguar-last-minute Transcription] by Computer-Magazin-Archiv. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518084306/https://www.stcarchiv.de/ai1995/02/jaguar-last-minute|date=2021-05-18}}). The story takes place at a car-friendly amusement park, which opened to cars after Dr. Lawrence Phosphorus developed algorithms to create indestructible vehicles.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/Club_Drive_1994_Atari/mode/2up|title=Club Drive|date=1994|publisher=Atari Corporation|edition=International|type=Game Manual}} Gameplay consists of three modes: Collect, Racing, and Tag.{{cite magazine|last=LaMancha|first=Manny|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_060.pdf&page=115|title=PreView - Jaguar Special Previews: Club Drive|magazine=GamePro|issue=60|publisher=IDG|date=July 1994|page=113|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928031258/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_060.pdf&page=115|archive-date=2023-09-28|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Scholeri III|first=Joseph|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=358|title=Club Drive - Overview|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2018-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114095533/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=358|archive-date=2014-11-14|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|last=Nash|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.stformat.com/stf61/index.html|title=Screenplay - Game Preview: Club Drive - The golf associations end with the title. Hurrah|magazine=ST Format|issue=83|publisher=Future plc|date=August 1994|page=54|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126202447/http://www.stformat.com/stf61/index.html|archive-date=2022-11-26|url-status=live}} Collect is a scored competition where the winner must capture a specific number of power balls from across the playfield. Racing is a race mode in which players must cross a series of lap checkpoints. Tag is a playground-style mode where players attempt to tag each other before time runs out.

The game features four selectable areas: Velocity Park, San Francisco, Old West, and Jerome's Pad.{{cite magazine|last=LaMancha|first=Manny|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_060.pdf&page=115|title=PreView - Jaguar Special Previews: Club Drive|magazine=GamePro|issue=60|publisher=IDG|date=July 1994|page=113|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928031258/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_060.pdf&page=115|archive-date=2023-09-28|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Scholeri III|first=Joseph|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=358|title=Club Drive - Overview|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2018-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114095533/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=358|archive-date=2014-11-14|url-status=dead}} A hidden world, Planet Todd, can be accessed by entering a cheat code on the select screen.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_068.pdf&page=129|title=S.W.A.T. Pro - Jaguar: Club Drive|magazine=GamePro|issue=68|publisher=IDG|date=March 1995|page=127}} Each area has two distinct arenas, with one for Racing mode and a smaller one for Collect and Tag modes respectively. The player can drive anywhere and explore each area to uncover hidden locations.

During races, the players can select multiple viewpoints and change music on the vehicle's radio. The player can also enable a rewind function to replay mistakes. Before each race, players also have the option to select between one or two players, and select their vehicle's color and speed.

Development and release

Club Drive was developed by Atari.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Clinton|date=Summer 1994|title=Jaguar Games at Summer CES|url=https://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/ape/ape_summer94.pdf|work=Atari Power Entertainment|issue=16|publisher=Clinton Smith|pages=2–5|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301172351/https://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/ape/ape_summer94.pdf|archive-date=2025-03-01|access-date=2025-03-01}} The game was conceived by lead programmer Todd Powers, with Eric Ginner providing additional programming support.{{cite magazine|last=Drury|first=Paul|title=Desert Island Disks: Eric Ginner|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=15|publisher=Live Publishing|date=April 2005|pages=36–41}}{{cite web|last=Sillifant|first=Ross|url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/interviews/bj_west/interview_bj_west.html|title=B.J. West interview|work=Atari Compendium|date=2017|access-date=September 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626083221/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/interviews/bj_west/interview_bj_west.html|archive-date=June 26, 2018|url-status=live}} It was Ginner's last game at Atari before leaving to join Bitmasters, a company founded by former Atari Games staffers Dave O'Riva and Franz Lanzinger.{{cite web|url=http://www.actualentertainment.com/ericg.htm|title=Eric Ginner's ACTUAL Web Page|publisher=Actual Entertainment|date=1996|access-date=2018-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961024040206/www.actualentertainment.com/ericg.htm|archive-date=1996-10-24|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Michael|url=http://www.nesworld.com/lanzinger.php|title=Interviews: Interview with Franz Lanzinger (Former AVE programmer)|work=NESWorld|date=October 12, 1998|access-date=2023-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516064514/http://www.nesworld.com/lanzinger.php|archive-date=2008-05-16|url-status=live}} Ed Pearson led the team of animators that also included B.J. West, who created the dashboard artwork. The game was originally planned to feature online multiplayer through Phylon, Inc.'s Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator, but was developed without online features due to the modem's delay and eventual cancellation.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_063.pdf&page=186|title=ProNews: Jaguar, Phone Home|magazine=GamePro|issue=63|publisher=IDG|date=October 1994|page=178|access-date=2018-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040315/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_063.pdf&page=186|archive-date=2018-06-19|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Grimes|first=Nial|url=https://archive.org/details/atari-st-review-035/page/60/mode/1up|title=ST Action - Jagged Edge: Jaguar News - Virtual Light!|magazine=ST Review|issue=35|publisher=IDG Media|date=January 1995|pages=60}}{{cite web|last=Vinciguerra|first=Robert|url=http://www.revrob.com/sci-a-tech-topmenu-52/38-a-complete-history-of-online-console-gaming-in-the-united-states|title=A Complete History of Online Console Gaming in the United States|website=The Rev. Rob Times|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=2023-11-05|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141014170527/http://www.revrob.com/sci-a-tech-topmenu-52/38-a-complete-history-of-online-console-gaming-in-the-united-states|archive-date=2014-10-14|url-status=dead}}

Club Drive was previewed at several events, including a 1993 press conference held by Atari, the 1994 ECTS Spring, and the 1994 Summer Consumer Electronics Show.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_11/page/n129/mode/1up|title=Jaguar's Domain|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=11|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=October 1993|pages=130–133}}
{{cite magazine|last=Jockey|first=The Desk|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_051.pdf&page=21|title=The Cutting Edge: Atari's 64-Bit Jaguar Stalks the Competition - Jaguar Software Showcase|magazine=GamePro|issue=51|publisher=IDG|date=October 1993|pages=16–19|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010230459/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_051.pdf&page=21|archive-date=2023-10-10|url-status=live}}
{{cite magazine|last=Kunkel|first=Bill|author-link=Bill Kunkel (journalist)|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1993-11/page/n43/mode/2up|title=The Jaguar: Hands On - Atari Prepares to Show Its Claws|magazine=Electronic Games|issue=48|publisher=Decker Publications|date=November 1993|pages=44–45}}
{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_58_November_1993/page/n57/mode/1up|title=Other Cool Stuff: Atari's Jaguar Unleashed — The First Jaguar Games|magazine=VideoGames|issue=58|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=November 1993|pages=56–58}}
{{cite magazine|last=Valley|first=Alexis|url=https://archive.org/details/start-micro-18/page/n60/mode/1up|title=Jaguar: London ECTS 1994|magazine=STart Micro|issue=18|publisher=JD Press|date=June 1994|pages=59–63|language=fr}}{{cite magazine|author=Quarterman|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_61/page/n46/mode/1up|title=Gaming Gossip|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=61|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=August 1994|page=46}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:Edge_UK_012.pdf&page=14|title=News - SCES: Nintendo render new image|magazine=Edge|issue=12|publisher=Future plc|date=September 1994|pages=8–15|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010234445/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:Edge_UK_012.pdf&page=14|archive-date=2023-10-10|url-status=live}} It was also featured at the London Planetarium in 1994, where the press and attendees laughed at the game, much to the frustration of Atari marketing manager Darryl Still.{{cite magazine|last=Grimes|first=Nial|url=https://archive.org/details/atari-st-review-033/page/60/mode/1up|title=ST Action - Jagged Edge News: Cosmic Premiere!|magazine=ST Review|issue=33|publisher=EMAP|date=December 1994|pages=60}}{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Rose (writer)|url=https://www.digitiser2000.com/main-page/the-fall-of-atari-eyewitness-account-by-mr-biffo|title=The Fall Of Atari: Eyewitness Account - by Mr Biffo|publisher=Digitiser 2000|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=2018-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032639/https://www.digitiser2000.com/main-page/the-fall-of-atari-eyewitness-account-by-mr-biffo|archive-date=2018-10-16|url-status=live}} It was first released in North America in November 1994, followed by Europe in December 1994.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Atari+unleashes+an+array+of+Jaguar+game+titles%3b+the+64-bit+Jaguar...-a015902728|title=Atari unleashes an array of Jaguar game titles; the 64-bit Jaguar boasts the release of four new titles|website=TheFreeLibrary.com|publisher=Business Wire|date=November 28, 1994|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204114547/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Atari+unleashes+an+array+of+Jaguar+game+titles%3b+the+64-bit+Jaguar...-a015902728|archive-date=2017-12-04|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|last=Weidner|first=Martin|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1995-01.pdf&page=110|title=Test Jaguar: Club Drive|magazine={{ill|Mega Fun|lt=Mega Fun|de|Mega Fun}}|issue=28|publisher=Computec|date=January 1995|page=110|language=de|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817055907/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1995-01.pdf&page=110|archive-date=2018-08-17|url-status=live}} Mumin Corporation published the game in Japan on March 24, 1995, while Products Final handled distribution in Spain.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/micom-basic-1995-06-june-ozidual/Micom%20Basic%201995%2006%20%28J%20OCR%29/page/35/mode/1up|title=Super Soft Hot Information: ジャガー (JAGUAR)|magazine={{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}|issue=156|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|lt=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=June 1995|page=35|language=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Ultima_Generacion_03/page/n5/mode/1up|title=Opciones: Presentación oficial de Jaguar en España|magazine=Última Generación|issue=3|publisher=MV Editores|date=May 1995|pages=6–7|language=es}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| CVG = 72/100{{cite magazine|last1=Lawrence|first1=Eddy|last2=Patterson|first2=Mark|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-and-video-games-magazine/Computer%20and%20Video%20Games%20157/page/n47/mode/2up|title=CVG Review: Club Drve|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=157|publisher=EMAP|date=December 1994|pages=48–49}}

| GI = 6/10{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-23-march-1995/page/n28/mode/1up|title=Jaguar At a Glance: Club Drive|magazine=Game Informer|issue=23|publisher=Sunrise Publications|date=March 1995|page=27}}

| GP = 35%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/game-players-january-1995/page/n21/mode/1up|title=News - Mean Machines: Club Drive|magazine=Game Players|issue=67|publisher=GP Publications|date=January 1995|page=22}}

| GMaster = 66%{{cite magazine|last=Ellis|first=Les|title=Reviews (Jaguar): Club Drive|magazine=GamesMaster|issue=24|publisher=Future Publishing|date=December 1994|page=64}}

| JP = 50%{{cite magazine|last=Nourdine|first=Nini|url=https://archive.org/details/joypad-magazine-037/page/n117/mode/1up|title=Jaguar: Club Drive - J'ai Cru Voir Un Gaos Chat!|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=37|publisher=Hachette Disney Presse|date=December 1994|page=98|language=fr}}

| MG = 39%{{cite magazine|last=Gaksch|first=Martin|url=https://archive.org/details/MANIAC.N015.1995.01/MANIAC.N015.1995.01-DURiAN_Searchable/page/n85/mode/1up|title=Spiele-Tests: Club Drive|magazine={{ill|M! Games|lt=MAN!AC|de|M! Games}}|issue=15|publisher=Cybermedia|date=January 1995|page=86|language=de}} ([https://www.maniac.de/tests/club-drive-im-klassik-test-jaguar/ Transcription] by MANIAC.de. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224174606/https://www.maniac.de/tests/club-drive-im-klassik-test-jaguar/|date=2021-02-24}}).

| NGen = 1/5{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-002/page/n93/mode/1up|title=Finals: Wreckage - Club Drive|magazine=Next Generation|issue=2|publisher=Imagine Media|date=February 1995|page=92}}

| SGP = 4.2/5{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/SuperGamePower_Special_No._15A_1995-06_Nova_Cultural_BR_pt/page/n3/mode/1up|title=Atari Jaguar: Viaje por quatro mundos acelerando com Club Drive - Club Drive|magazine={{ill|Super Game Power|lt=Super Game Power|pt|Supergamepower}}|type=Special|issue=15A|publisher={{ill|Nova Cultural|lt=Nova Cultural|pt|Editora Nova Cultural}}|date=June 1995|page=5|language=pt}}

| VGS = 35%{{cite magazine|last=Schaedle|first=Wolfgang|url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1995-01/page/89/mode/1up|title=Reviews: Crazy Race - Club Drive|magazine={{ill|Video Games (German magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}|issue=38|publisher=Magna Media|date=March 1995|page=89|language=de}}

| rev1 = Atari Gaming Headquarters

| rev1Score = 2/10{{cite web|last=Iida|first=Keita|url=http://www.atarihq.com/reviews/jaguar/club_drive.html|title=AGH Jaguar Review: CLUB DRIVE|work=Atari Gaming Headquarters|date=2001|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303092758/http://www.atarihq.com/reviews/jaguar/club_drive.html|archive-date=2001-03-03|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Digital Press

| rev2Score = 5/10{{cite magazine|last=Villalpando|first=Edward|url=https://archive.org/details/Digital_Press_Issue_27_1995-09_Santulli_Joe_US/page/n13/mode/2up|title=Random Reviews Lite: Club Drive|magazine=Digital Press - The Bio-Degradable Source For Videogamers|issue=27|publisher=Joe Santulli|date=September 1995|pages=14–15}}

| rev3 = Play Time

| rev3Score = 20%{{cite magazine|last=Girlich|first=Stephan|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1995-03.pdf&page=116|title=Jaguar Reviews - Club Drive|magazine={{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time}}|issue=45|publisher=Computec|date=March 1995|page=116|language=de|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817061341/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1995-03.pdf&page=116|archive-date=2018-08-17|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = ST-Computer

| rev4Score = 60%{{cite magazine|title=Software - Jaguar: Club Drive|magazine={{ill|ST-Computer|lt=ST-Computer|de|ST-Computer}}|issue=105|publisher=Heim-Verlag|date=February 1995|page=93|language=de}} ([https://www.stcarchiv.de/stc1995/02/jaguar-club-drive Transcription] by Computer-Magazin-Archiv. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009075436/https://www.stcarchiv.de/stc1995/02/jaguar-club-drive|date=2023-10-09}}).

| rev5 = Ultimate Future Games

| rev5Score = 49%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Ultimate_Future_Games_Issue_02_1995-01_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n72/mode/1up|title=Ultimate Review Sector: Club Drive - Full Throttle|magazine=Ultimate Future Games|issue=2|publisher=Future Publishing|date=January 1995|page=83}}

| rev6 = VideoGames

| rev6Score = 3/10{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_72_January_1995/page/n83/mode/1up|title=Capsule Reviews: Club Drive|magazine=VideoGames|issue=72|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=January 1995|page=84}}

}}

According to Atari, Club Drive sold 13,994 copies by April 1995.{{cite web|url=http://betaphasegames.com/Feature_Jaguar_Lifetime_Sales.html|title=Atari Jaguar Lifetime Sales|publisher=Beta Phase Games|access-date=2018-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824014231/http://betaphasegames.com/Feature_Jaguar_Lifetime_Sales.html|archive-date=2017-08-24|url-status=dead}} The game received generally unfavorable reviews.{{cite magazine|last=De Steene|first=Julien Van|url=https://archive.org/details/playerone-magazine-049/page/n111/mode/1up|title=Vite Vu – Le Zone de Vite Vu: Club Drive|magazine={{ill|Player One (magazine)|lt=Player One|fr|Player One (magazine)}}|issue=49|publisher={{ill|Média Système Édition|lt=Média Système Édition|fr|Média Système Édition}}|date=January 1995|page=112|language=fr}}{{cite magazine|last1=Pignard|first1=Stephane|last2=Pignard|first2=Arnaud|url=https://archive.org/details/start-micro-27/page/n29/mode/2up|title=Cahier Jaguar - Jeux: Club Drive|magazine=STart Micro|issue=27|publisher=JD Press|date=April 1995|pages=30–31|language=fr}}{{cite magazine|last=Jaeckel|first=Daniel|url=https://archive.org/details/Jaguar3/page/n25/mode/1up|title=Jaguar: Test Zum Spiel Club Drive|magazine=Jaguar|issue=3|publisher={{ill|Falkemedia|lt=Falkemedia|de|falkemedia}}|date=May 1995|pages=26|language=de}}

GamesMaster{{'}}s Les Ellis found the game very frustrating, criticizing its audiovisual department and unrealistic car handling, stating that "if it wasn't for the two player mode this would be a complete waste of time". Super Game Power commended its multiplayer mode, but noted that the graphics were not the game's strongest aspect. Game Informer stated that "This game will provide entertainment, particularly in the two-player split-screen mode".

GameFan praised the ability to drive and explore anywhere within the different environments, but faulted the game's limited play mechanics, blocky graphics, and controls.{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|last2=Des Barres|first2=Nicholas Dean|last3=Winding|first3=David|title=Viewpoint: Club Drive; GameFan 32 - Jaguar's Domain: Club Drive|magazine=GameFan|volume=2|issue=12|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=December 1994|pages=[https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_2_Issue_12/page/n27/mode/1up 28], [https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_2_Issue_12/page/n153/mode/1up 146]}} MAN!AC{{'}}s Martin Gaksch considered Club Drive to be moderately innovative due to the ability to drive in any direction, but felt that the Jaguar had more to offer graphically. GamePro{{'}}s Quick-Draw McGraw described Club Drive as an "unusual experience" compared to other contemporary racing simulators, but faulted its repetitive gameplay and "unfulfilled potential".{{cite magazine|last=McGraw|first=Quick-Draw|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_067.pdf&page=106|title=ProReview: Club Drive|magazine=GamePro|issue=67|publisher=IDG|date=February 1995|page=104|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822014634/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_067.pdf&page=106|archive-date=2018-08-22|url-status=live}} An editor for German publication ST-Computer said the game is fun to play but criticized the visuals. Digital Press{{'}} Edward Villalpando said its gameplay was more fun than Checkered Flag on the Jaguar, but commented that the polygonal graphics looked unfinished and the controls were touchy.

Computer and Video Games{{'}} Eddy Lawrence and Mark Patterson commended its graphical department, but criticized its jerky framerate and vacuous gameplay. Ultimate Future Games commended its ideas and polygon visuals, but criticized the dull gameplay and sound. Atari Gaming Headquarters{{'}} Keita Iida liked the flat-shaded polygonal visuals, but panned its choppy framerate, sluggish controls, and overall execution of the two-player mode. Joypad{{'}}s Nini Nourdine found the vehicle easy to control, but noted the limited split-screen view in multiplayer.

Game Players lambasted the poor polygonal visuals and stated that the split-screen two-player mode further exacerbated the issue. Video Games{{'}} Wolfgang Schaedle noted the sensitive controls and faulted its gameplay. VideoGames panned its chunky graphics and frustrating controls. Play Time{{'}}s Stephan Girlich panned the game's low-detail graphics and poor audio. Next Generation was outright critical, lambasting its sluggish framerate, cumbersome physics, and tepid gameplay. VideoGames later named it one of the worst games of the year.{{cite magazine|last=Meston|first=Zach|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_74_March_1995#page/n47/mode/1up|title=VideoGames - The Ten Worst|magazine=VideoGames|issue=74|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=March 1995|page=47}}

= Retrospective coverage =

In retrospectives, Club Drive has been listed among the worst games of all time by Electronic Gaming Monthly, writer Seanbaby, and GamesRadar.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-100-november-1997_202106/page/n114/mode/1up|title=The Top 10 Worst Games of All Time|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=100|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=November 1997|page=107}}{{cite web|author=Seanbaby|author-link=Seanbaby|url=http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm02.htm|title=Seanbaby's EGM's Crapstravaganza - #2: Club Drive (Jaguar)|website=seanbaby.com|access-date=2018-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826041931/http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm02.htm|archive-date=2006-08-26|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/worst-games-all-time/|title=The 100 worst games of all time|work=GamesRadar|publisher=Future plc|date=June 27, 2014|access-date=2025-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702102752/http://www.gamesradar.com/worst-games-all-time/|archive-date=2014-07-02|url-status=live}} In 2002, neXGam also called it "perhaps the worst Jaguar game ever".{{cite web|author=Nils|url=https://www.nexgam.de/games/club-drive-atari-jaguar|title=Club Drive im Test|publisher=neXGam|year=2002|access-date=2025-02-28|language=de|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221129233637/https://www.nexgam.de/games/club-drive-atari-jaguar|archive-date=2022-11-29|url-status=live}} That same year, Game Informer regarded it as "a pathetic attempt at using polygons to convey realism in a driving game".{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-100-august-2001/page/128/mode/1up|title=Classic GI: Classic Reviews|magazine=Game Informer|issue=100|publisher=Sunrise Publications|date=August 2001|page=128}} The Atari Times{{'}} Jess LaFleur found the game entertaining at times, but criticized its graphics, sound, and music.{{cite book|last=LaFleur|first=Jess|date=December 2002|chapter=Jaguar Reviews: Club Drive — The ultimate Club Drive fan speaks out|chapter-url=http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=285|title=2002 Year End Issue|publisher=The Atari Times|pages=1–100|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029101355/http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=285|archive-date=2014-10-29|url-status=live|access-date=2023-10-09}} Author Andy Slaven labelled it as an "awful" racing game.{{cite book|last1=Slaven|first1=Andy|last2=Barnes|first2=Lucus|year=2002|chapter=JAG - Atari Jaguar|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oShzmF1Pxc4C&pg=PA47|title=Video Game Bible, 1985-2002|volume=1|publisher=Trafford Publishing|pages=47–53|isbn=9781553697312|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-date=2023-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211213017/https://books.google.com/books?id=oShzmF1Pxc4C&pg=PA47|url-status=live}} In a 2022 review of Atari 50, IGN{{'}}s Samuel Claiborn stated that Club Drive is "a pretty remarkable tech accomplishment but also a fun foil to, say, Super Mario 64, which did 3D so much better just two years later".{{cite web|last=Claiborn|first=Samuel|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/atari-50-the-anniversary-celebration-review|title=Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Review — Pixel perfect (Reviewed on Nintendo Switch)|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=November 16, 2022|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118061744/https://www.ign.com/articles/atari-50-the-anniversary-celebration-review|archive-date=2022-11-18|url-status=live}} In 2024, Destructoid{{'}}s Zoey Handley wrote that the game failed to showcase the Jaguar's capabilities.{{cite web|last=Handley|first=Zoey|url=https://www.destructoid.com/club-drive-for-atari-jaguar-just-isnt-anything/|title=Club Drive for Atari Jaguar just isn't anything|work=Destructoid|publisher=Gamurs Group|date=February 12, 2024|access-date=2025-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212230015/https://www.destructoid.com/club-drive-for-atari-jaguar-just-isnt-anything/|archive-date=2024-02-12|url-status=live}}

Legacy

Visual Dimensions 3D was inspired to develop Automaniacs as a spiritual successor to Club Drive for the Atari Jaguar. This game was announced at JagFest '97, a show dedicated to the Jaguar scene, but was never released.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/st-report-1330/page/n51/mode/1up|title=Jaguar Online STR InfoFile: Online Users Growl & Purr! - BRIEF JagFest report|magazine=Silicon Times Report|issue=1330|publisher=STR Electronic Publishing Inc.|date=July 25, 1997}}{{cite magazine|last1=Manne|first1=Kevin|last2=Bruner|first2=Glenn|url=http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm|title=JagFest '97 Field Reports|magazine=Jaguar Explorer Online|volume=1|issue=3|publisher=White Space Publishers|date=October 15, 1997|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202933/http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.classicgaming.com/jfpn/automaniacspre.html|title=Jaguar Previews: Automaniacs Preview|work=Jaguar Front Page News|publisher=GameSpy|date=2001|access-date=2023-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010308151324/http://www.classicgaming.com/jfpn/automaniacspre.html|archive-date=2001-03-08|url-status=dead}} In 2008, the hobbyist community Jaguar Sector II released the game's source code in its Jaguar Source Code Collection.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason|url=http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|title=Atari Jaguar Timeline|website=Jaguar Sector II|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629025431/http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|archive-date=2013-06-29|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason|url=http://www.jaysmith2000.com:80/Jagpriceguide.htm|title=Jaguar Sector II Atari Jaguar Software Price and Rarity Guide|website=Jaguar Sector II|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117222232/http://www.jaysmith2000.com/Jagpriceguide.htm|archive-date=2013-11-17|url-status=dead}} In 2022, Club Drive was included in the Atari 50 compilation for Windows, the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, marking its first re-release.{{cite web|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/09/the-103-classic-games-that-did-and-didnt-make-the-atari-50-anniversary-cut/|title=The 103 classic games that did, and didn't, make the Atari 50 anniversary cut — Retailer leak suggests games from arcade to Jaguar; surprises apparently still await|work=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|date=September 12, 2022|access-date=2023-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914101824/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/09/the-103-classic-games-that-did-and-didnt-make-the-atari-50-anniversary-cut/|archive-date=2022-09-14|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2022/10/atari-50-the-anniversary-celebration-trailer-shows-jaguar-games-in-action|title=Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Trailer Shows Jaguar Games In Action – The cat is back|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=October 27, 2022|access-date=2023-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029022122/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2022/10/atari-50-the-anniversary-celebration-trailer-shows-jaguar-games-in-action|archive-date=2022-10-29|url-status=live}}

References

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