Off Road Challenge
{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Off Road Challenge
|image = Off Road Challenge arcade flyer.jpg
|developer = Midway Studios San Diego
Avalanche Software (N64)
|publisher = Midway
GT Interactive (European release)
|designer =
|composer = Rob Atesalp
|engine =
|released = Arcade
{{vgrelease|NA|September 1997{{cite web |title=Domestic and Overseas Arcade Game List (1971-2005) |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n125/mode/2up |website=Internet Archive|year=2005}}}}Nintendo 64{{vgrelease|NA|June 30, 1998{{cite web |title=Off Road Challenge International Releases |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/off-road-challenge/3030-835/releases |website=Giant Bomb}}|PAL|September 15, 1998{{cite web |title=Off Road Challenge International Releases |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/off-road-challenge/3030-835/releases |website=Giant Bomb}}}}
|genre = Racing
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer (2 players)
|platforms = Arcade, Nintendo 64
|arcade system = Midway V Unit Software
}}
Off Road Challenge is a video game developed and published by Midway. The game was originally released in 1997 for arcades using the Midway V Unit hardware. It is part of the Off Road series which began with Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road.
The game was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. The Nintendo 64 conversion was developed by Avalanche Software and published by Midway, and includes several unlockable tracks and an added circuit mode.
Gameplay
The levels are mostly offroad tracks, sometimes containing urban areas. The game features a vehicle tuning system that allows the player to purchase upgrades to suspension, tires, "acceleration", and various other performance items.{{cite magazine |title=Off-Road Challenge |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=100 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=November 1997|page=90}} It also features power-ups which the player drives over, such as nitro, crash helmets (to prevent the player from losing speed when colliding with others) and money.{{cite magazine |author=J. Boogie |title=Off Road Challenge|magazine=GamePro |issue=112 |publisher=IDG |date=January 1998|page=70}} Treasure Chests and Nitro Capsules can be found lying on the ground during the race. Players race against seven other opponents. There are various obstacles depending on the track, such as wagon carts, a train, water slicks, and trees. The top four places earn cash, with first place being the most rewarding. The faster the finish, the better chance the player has to make a new record on the Top-Ten leaderboard.
The game has six tracks, ranging in difficulty from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced.
Up to four cabinets can be linked together for players to race against each other.
Development
Off Road Challenge was developed at the Cinematronics/Leland Corporation office in San Diego, with a team of designers led by Mike Hunley.{{cite magazine |first=Marcus|last=Webb|title=Next Up: Off-Road Challenge |magazine=Next Generation|issue=35|publisher=Imagine Media |date=November 1997|page=33}}
The game was housed in the same model cabinet as used for Midway's two previous racing games, Cruis'n World and San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|N64=true
| GR_N64 = 53.6%{{cite web|title=Off Road Challenge for Nintendo 64 - GameRankings|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/198228-off-road-challenge/index.html|website=GameRankings|accessdate=2022-05-13|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209000954/https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/198228-off-road-challenge/index.html|archivedate=2019-12-09}}
| GSpot_N64 = 4.5/10 {{cite web|title=Off Road Challenge Review |first=Ryan |last=Mac Donald |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/off-road-challenge-review/1900-2544938/ | website=GameSpot|accessdate=2022-05-13}}
| IGN_N64 = 2.5/10{{cite web |title=Off Road Challenge Review |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/07/03/off-road-challenge |website=IGN |date=3 July 1998 |access-date=2022-05-13 |archive-date=2011-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928201159/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/152/152201p1.html |url-status=dead}}
}}
IGN gave the Nintendo 64 version of Off Road Challenge a 2.5 out of 10 criticising the graphics as "dated with most objects having blurry sprites, the textures being muddy and the framerates being low" and the presentation saying that the menus that were directly ported from the arcade slowed down.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Off Road series}}
{{Avalanche Software}}
Category:Avalanche Software games
Category:Midway Studios San Diego games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Off-road racing video games
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games set in Colorado
Category:Video games set in Mexico
Category:Video games set in Texas
Category:Video games set in the Las Vegas Valley