Chase H.Q.
{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Chase H.Q.
|image = Chasehq flyer.png
|caption = US Arcade flyer
|developer = Taito
|publisher = Taito
|designer = Hiroguki Sakou
|composer = Takami Asano
|programmer = Takeshi Ishizashi
Takeshi Murata
Kyoji Shimamoto
|genre = Racing,
vehicular combat{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/games/11982/the-10-best-combat-racing-games|title=The 10 best combat racing games | Den of Geek|date=10 June 2010 |publisher=denofgeek.com|access-date=4 October 2015}}
|modes = Single-player
|series = Chase
|platforms = {{Collapsible list | title={{nobold|Arcade}}|
Arcade, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, FM Towns, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, MSX, Master System, Saturn, Genesis, X68000, Super NES, Famicom, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum
}}
|released = {{Collapsible list | title={{nobold|September 1988}}|
Arcade {{vgrelease|JP|September 1988{{cite book | title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971–2005) | trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) | last1=Akagi | first1=Masumi | publisher=Amusement News Agency | year=2006 | url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n43/mode/2up?q=%E3%83%81%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B9| language=ja | location=Japan | isbn=978-4990251215 | page=43}}|EU|October 1988|NA|November 1988{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=136–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n137/mode/2up}}}} Amiga, C64, Amstrad, Atari ST, Spectrum {{vgrelease|EU|4 December 1989}}MSX {{vgrelease|ESP|February 1990Micromanía, issue 21, second period (February 1990), [https://archive.org/details/micromania-segunda-epocha-21/page/n53 page 55]}}Famicom {{vgrelease|JP|8 December 1989}} PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 {{vgrelease|JP|26 January 1990|NA|1992{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/games/chase-hq/tg16-6220|title=Chase H.Q. - TurboGrafx-16 - IGN|publisher=ign.com|access-date=4 October 2015}}}} Master System {{vgrelease|EU|1990}} Game Boy {{vgrelease|NA|1 December 1990{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/games/chase-hq/gb-10285|title=Chase H.Q. - Game Boy - IGN|publisher=ign.com|access-date=4 October 2015}}}} {{vgrelease|JP|11 January 1991{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=21262|title=タイトーチェイスH.Q. まとめ [ゲームボーイ] / ファミ通.com|publisher=famitsu.com|access-date=4 October 2015}}|EU|April 1991}} Game Gear {{vgrelease|JP|8 March 1991|EU|August 1991}} {{vgrelease|NA|31 December 1991{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/games/chase-hq/gg-5761|title=Chase H.Q. - Game Gear - IGN|publisher=ign.com|access-date=4 October 2015}}}} Mega Drive/Genesis {{vgrelease|JP|23 October 1992{{cite web |title=Software List (Software Licensee Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}}} {{vgrelease|NA|February 1993{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-9-march-april-1993_202408/page/n35/mode/2up|title=What's in Store for the First Half of 1993?|magazine=Game Informer|issue=9 (March/April 1993)|pages=34-35}}}} X68000 {{vgrelease|JP|October 1992}} FM Towns {{vgrelease|JP|1993}}
}}
|arcade system = Taito Z System[http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=657 Taito Z System], System 16: The Arcade Museum
}}
{{nihongo foot|Chase H.Q.|チェイスH.Q.||"Chase Headquarters"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a vehicular combat racing game, originally released as an arcade video game by Taito in 1988. It is sometimes seen as a spiritual successor to Taito's earlier Full Throttle. The player assumes the role of a police officer named Tony Gibson, member of the "Chase Special Investigation Department". Along with his partner, Raymond Broady, he must stop fleeing criminals in high-speed pursuits in a black Porsche 928.
Chase H.Q. was ported to many home computers by Ocean Software in 1989, including versions for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MSX, Amiga and Atari ST. Taito produced versions for the Family Computer (1989), Game Boy (1990), Master System (1990), TurboGrafx-16 (1990), Game Gear (1991), and Saturn (1996). It was released for PlayStation 2 in Japan in 2007 as part of Taito Memories II Volume 2.
The game was a commercial success, becoming Japan's highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1989 while also becoming a hit overseas for arcades and home systems. The game was also well received by critics. It was followed by three arcade-based sequels: Special Criminal Investigation (1989), Super Chase: Criminal Termination (1992) and Chase H.Q. 2 (2007). Two spin-offs were also released: Crime City (1989) and Quiz H.Q. (1990).
Gameplay
At the start of each level the player is informed who they are pursuing, a great distance away: They must apprehend the criminal before their time limit expires.{{cite magazine |title=Taito Chase H.Q. Plus S.C.I.: Traffic Cops Take it to the Bad Guys!|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=12 |publisher=Emap International Limited|date=October 1996|pages=28–29}} The criminal's car is constantly moving away, so if the player repeatedly crashes or drives too slowly, the criminal will escape. At some points during the game the road splits, and the correct turn must be taken, otherwise it will take longer to catch the criminal. When their vehicle is reached, the time limit is extended; the vehicle must be rammed a number of times until the criminal is forced to stop, then is arrested.
The game includes five levels. Both the initial time limit to reach the criminal and the time extension to ram the criminal are 60, 65, or 70 seconds.
When Nancy at Chase HQ (at the start of every level) calls on the radio, the frequency is often between 144 and 148 MHz. This is actually the 2-meter band of amateur or ham radio frequencies.
Although superficially similar in technology to Sega's Out Run, Chase HQ features significant technical advancements over that title in the presentation of perspective, hills and track splits.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}
Villains (for arcade versions):
:1. Ralph, the Idaho Slasher (White Lotus Esprit)
:2. Carlos, the New York armed robber (Yellow Lamborghini Countach)
:3. Chicago pushers (Silver Porsche 911)
:4. L.A. kidnapper (Blue Ferrari 288 GTO)
:5. Eastern Bloc Spy (Red Porsche 928)
The last villain's car is always listed as unidentified.
If the level is completed, bonus points are as follows: if completed without continuing, 100,000 times level in play, otherwise, 10,000; plus, 5,000 per second saved for completing level. A 5,000,000-point award is collected for beating the game.
Reception
=Commercial=
Upon release in arcades, {{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}} listed Chase H.Q. on their 15 November 1988 issue as being the second most-successful upright arcade cabinet of the month in Japan.{{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={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}|issue=344|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}}|date=15 November 1988|page=25|lang=ja}} It went on to become Japan's highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1989.{{cite magazine |title=Videos of The Year; "Tetris", "Chase H.Q." |magazine={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}} |issue=372 |publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}} |date=15 January 1990 |page=26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19900115p.pdf#page=14}} In the United Kingdom, it was a hit in the arcades, becoming the top coin-on arcade game at one point.
The home computer conversions topped the UK sales chart in Christmas 1989.{{cite web |last1=Cundy |first1=Matt |title=Every Christmas Top 10 from the last 20 years |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/every-christmas-top-10-from-the-last-20-years/10/ |website=GamesRadar |page=10 |access-date=9 March 2021 |date=25 December 2007}} The ZX Spectrum version of the game was later number 2 on the UK sales charts in early 1990, behind Rainbow Islands.{{cite web|url=http://ysrnry.co.uk/ys53.htm|title=The YS Rock'n'Roll Years - Issue 53|publisher=ysrnry.co.uk|date=May 1990|access-date=4 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912063151/http://ysrnry.co.uk/ys53.htm|archive-date=12 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}
=Critical=
The arcade game was well received by critics. Computer and Video Games gave it a positive review, stating "at last" a "racing game with something more to do than just whizzing around a track to beat the course time". They concluded that it is "fast and challenging with great graphics" and "good clear sound effects" and is "definitely a winner".{{cite magazine |title=Chase HQ |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=15 October 1988 |issue=85 (November 1988) |page=140 |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-085/CVG_085_Nov_1988#page/n139/mode/1up}} ACE said that the "Out Run theme keeps being expanded and presented in different ways" like Power Drift but considered Chase HQ better than the former. They concluded that the game's driving and violence is "a winning coin-up combination".{{cite web|url=http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/26/74/chase_hq_review.html|title=Chase HQ arcade game review|publisher=solvalou.com|access-date=4 October 2015}} Crash said it "is a great game" and "the ultimate arcade version of cops-and-robbers movies".{{cite web|url=http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/80/74/chase_hq_review.html|title=Chase HQ arcade game review|publisher=solvalou.com|access-date=4 October 2015}} According to Arcade History, it "was arguably the first sprite-scaled racer since" Out Run "to truly capture the gaming public's imagination".{{cite web|url=http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=chase-h.q.&page=detail&id=441|title=chase h.q., arcade video game, taito corp. (1988)|publisher=arcade-history.com|access-date=4 October 2015}}
The home computer conversions were also mostly well received by critics. The 16-bit Amiga and Atari ST versions received positive reviews, while the 8-bit ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC conversions received high review scores and are generally recognised as the most accurate and most playable of the Ocean Software home computer releases. All three of the ZX Spectrum magazines awarded it 94% or above, praising the speed of the game and the originality. Crash gave the game 95%, while Sinclair User awarded it 96%. On the other hand, the 8-bit Commodore 64 conversion received a generally negative reception.
The Master System conversion was well received by critics. Computer and Video Games said the "gameplay is as exciting as it was in the arcades" and "the high-speed thrills of this conversion" makes this game worth to look at it.
=Accolades=
At Japan's 1989 {{ill|lt=Gamest Awards|Gamest Awards|ja|ゲーメスト大賞|vertical-align=sup}}, the arcade version was nominated for Hit Game of the Year, for which it was voted 10th place.Gamest, The Best Game 2: Gamest Mook Vol. 112, pages 6-26 According to an Ocean Software advert in 1989, the arcade version was voted Arcade Game of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-097/CVG_097_Dec_1989#page/n163/mode/2up|title=CVG Magazine Issue 097|date=December 1989 |access-date=4 October 2015}}
At the 1989/1990 Golden Joystick Awards, the 8-bit home computer versions were awarded Best 8-Bit Coin-Op Conversion and Best 8-Bit Soundtrack.{{cite journal|title=High Society|journal=ACE|issue=33|date=June 1990|pages=10|publisher=EMAP|url=https://archive.org/stream/ACEIssue33Jun90/ACE_Issue_33_Jun_90#page/n9/mode/1up}} The Spectrum version also topped Computer and Video Games{{'}} "The Best Games of '89" list (along with Super Mario Bros. 2).{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n7/mode/2up|title=CVG Magazine Issue 098|date=January 1990 |access-date=4 October 2015}} The Spectrum version was voted number 1 in the Your Sinclair poll of Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time in 1993.{{cite journal|title=Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time|journal=Your Sinclair|date=September 1993|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ystop100.html|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030232331/http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ystop100.html|archive-date=30 October 2015|url-status=dead}}
Records
Brian Kuh from Weirs Beach, New Hampshire holds the official arcade world record with a score of 3,596,680 points achieved on 1 June 2006 at Funspot Family Fun Center, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire. Robert Gray from Dumfriesshire, Scotland holds the official MAME world record with a score of 11,490,280 points achieved on 13 June 2010.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
Legacy
Chase H.Q. was successful enough to earn two arcade-based sequels - the widely released Special Criminal Investigation released in 1989 and the extremely rare Super Chase: Criminal Termination released in 1992. It also earned two spin-offs - the run and gun Crime City, and the quiz game Quiz H.Q..{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Special Criminal Investigation expands on the original with the addition of guns - the passenger can rise out of the T-top of his Nissan 300ZX Z32 and shoot at oncoming targets. To take advantage of this, enemies are placed throughout the level and will attempt to shoot at or ram the player as they attempt to pursue the main criminal. Deviating from the relatively realistic tracks on offer in the original, the sequel features pursuits through waterfalls and unfinished sections of elevated highway.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Super Chase: Criminal Termination was the third arcade release in the Chase H.Q. series, released in 1992.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
The 1997 PlayStation game Ray Tracers, developed and released by Taito, has been described as "more or less a follow up" to the game,{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:7944~T1 |title=allgame (((Ray Tracers > Review))) |publisher=allgame |access-date=29 August 2008 |archive-date=1 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121201223057/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7944 |url-status=dead}} with "only a few differences" such as a different speed-boost system and a greater variety of targets.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/driving/raytracers/review.html |title=Ray Tracers for PlayStation Review |website=GameSpot, Inc. |access-date=31 August 2008}}
In February 2006, Chase H.Q.: Nancy Yori Kinkyuu Renraku (Chase H.Q. - An Urgent Call From Nancy) was presented at the Arcade Operator's Union (AOU) trade show in Tokyo. It was shown again at AOU 2007.{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Jonti |title=AOU 2007: Chase H.Q. 2 on patrol |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/16/aou-2007-chase-h-q-2-on-patrol/ |website=Joystiq |publisher=AOL |access-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219172952/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/16/aou-2007-chase-h-q-2-on-patrol/ |archive-date=19 February 2007 |date=16 February 2007 |url-status=dead}} The game was released as Chase H.Q. 2 in December 2007.{{cite web |title=チェイスＨ.Ｑ.２ |url=http://www.taito.co.jp/arc/title/2007/details/chase_hq2.html |website=Taito |access-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228094427/http://www.taito.co.jp/arc/title/2007/details/chase_hq2.html |archive-date=28 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}
Saint Etienne recorded a demo dance track called "Chase HQ" that was inspired by Chase H.Q. It includes samples of the "Oh man!" and "Punch the pedal!" exclamations from the game action. The track was released as a bonus track on the 2009 Deluxe reissue of the band's 1991 album, Foxbase Alpha.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Chase HQ{{'}}s gameplay, which involved ramming the enemy car while avoiding oncoming traffic, has been cited as a precursor to the gameplay of later titles such as Driver and Burnout.{{cite book|title=The Video Games Guide: 1,000+ Arcade, Console and Computer Games, 1962-2012, 2d ed.|author=Fox, M.|date=2013|publisher=McFarland, Incorporated Publishers|isbn=9781476600673|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LVc1QNGo_g0C&pg=PA49|page=49|access-date=4 October 2015}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{KLOV game|7318}}
- {{moby game|id=/chase-hq}}
- {{WoS game|id=0000903}}
- [http://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=detail&id=441 Arcade History Database entry]
- [http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/bt/guruandwez/retroco/17454-chase-hq Xleague.TV/TGWTG Video Retrospective feature of the Chase H.Q. series]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150521005645/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/chasehq.htm Review of the ZX Spectrum conversion of Chase HQ]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408023412/http://www.classicgaming.com/amigareviews/chasehq1.htm#chasehq1zzap Review of the Amiga and Commodore 64 conversions of Chase HQ]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100527213231/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22 Twin Galaxies Official MAME World Record]
{{Chase H.Q. series|state=expanded}}
{{Square Enix franchises}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Crash Smash! award winners
Category:Golden Joystick Award winners
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Square Enix franchises
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Virtual Console games
Category:Video games about police officers
Category:Video games scored by David Whittaker