Out Run

File:Out_Run_screenshot.png

Out Run is a pseudo-3D driving video game in which the player controls a Ferrari Testarossa convertible from a third-person rear perspective. The camera is placed near the ground, simulating a Ferrari driver's position and limiting the player's view into the distance. The road curves, crests, and dips,{{Cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|title=Arcade Action|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=63 (January 1987)|date=16 December 1986|publisher=EMAP|location=United Kingdom|issn=0261-3697|pages=138–9|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-063/page/n137/mode/2up}} which increases the challenge by obscuring upcoming obstacles such as traffic that the player must avoid.{{Cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|date=February 1987|title=The Arcade Coin|url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/103/250|magazine=Sinclair User|publisher=EMAP|pages=94–96|issn=0262-5458|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202110006/https://solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/103/250|archive-date=2 February 2019|url-status=live}} The object of the game is to reach the finish line against a timer. The game world is divided into multiple stages that each end in a checkpoint, and reaching the end of a stage provides more time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/18/antique_code_show_sega_out_run/|title=Sega's Out Run: Even better than the wheel thing|last=Hill|first=Giles|date=18 December 2013|website=The Register|publisher=Situation Publishing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414142554/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/18/antique_code_show_sega_out_run/|archive-date=14 April 2019|url-status=live|access-date=14 April 2019}} Near the end of each stage, the track forks to give the player a choice of routes leading to five final destinations. The destinations represent different difficulty levels and each conclude with their own ending scene, among them the Ferrari breaking down or being presented a trophy.{{Cite magazine|last=Thorpe|first=Nick|date=June 2016|title=The History of OutRun|magazine=Retro Gamer|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=156|pages=20–29|issn=1742-3155}}

During the mid-1980s, Sega experienced success in the arcades with games developed by Yu Suzuki. Hang-On was a good seller and Enduro Racer had been successful enough for Sega to consider a second production run. Both are motorcycle racing games, and Out Run was Suzuki's chance to develop a car racing game. His original concept was to base the game on the American film The Cannonball Run, of which he was a fan.{{cite book|title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|publisher=McFarland & Company|year=2018|isbn=9781476631967|pages=112–114}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-22-out-ran-meeting-yu-suzuki|title=Out Ran: Meeting Yu Suzuki, Sega's original outsider|last=Robinson|first=Martin|date=22 March 2015|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220185846/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-22-out-ran-meeting-yu-suzuki|archive-date=20 December 2015|url-status=live|access-date=24 December 2015}} He disliked racing games where cars exploded on impact, and wanted gamers to enjoy the experience of driving and to feel "superior".

Suzuki initially conceived the game's setting across the United States, and he requested to scout various locations there. According to Suzuki's boss, Youji Ishii, Sega president Hayao Nakayama believed the US was too unsafe, and suggested Europe as a safer option. Additionally, Suzuki concluded that the US was too "large and empty" for the game's design. He scouted Europe for two weeks in a BMW 520 for ideas. This tour included Frankfurt, Monaco, Rome, the Swiss Alps, the French Riviera, Florence, and Milan.{{Cite magazine|last=Davies|first=Jonti|date=September 2008|title=The Making Of: OutRun|magazine=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|issue=54|pages=26–33|issn=1742-3155}} While in Monaco, Suzuki was inspired to use the Ferrari Testarossa as the playable car in the game, so when he returned to Japan he arranged for his team to find and photograph one. They took many photos of the car from every side and recorded the sound of the engine.

A small team of four programmers, a sound creator, and five graphic designers developed Out Run. Suzuki had to use only personnel that were available and not assigned to other projects at the time. As a result, Suzuki did most of the programming and planning himself, spending extra hours at the studio to complete development of the game within ten months. He believed that the most difficult part of developing the game was to make it as fun as possible, which he achieved by emphasizing the design elements of wide roads, buildings, and a radio with soundtrack selection.

Image:Out_Run.jpg cabinet version of Out Run]]

Four cabinet designs were released, all of which are equipped with a steering wheel, a stick shift, and acceleration and brake pedals. Two of the cabinet designs are upright, the larger of which has force feedback in the steering wheel. The other two models are sit-down motion simulator cabinets that resemble the in-game car and use a drive motor to move the main cabinet—turning and shaking according to the onscreen action. Both models feature stereo speakers mounted behind the driver's head.{{cite news |title=Sega's Wonderful Simulation Games Over The Years |url=https://arcadeheroes.com/2013/06/06/segas-wonderful-simulation-games-over-the-years/ |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Arcade Heroes |date=6 June 2013}} The arcade system board made specifically for the game is the Sega OutRun, based on the Sega System 16.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/outrun/|title=OutRun|last=Grazza|first=Brian|date=5 October 2017|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|publisher=Kurt Kalata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014095055/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/outrun/|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}} Suzuki said that he was often unable to make games based on existing hardware and that Sega would have to create a new board. He said that his "designs were always 3D from the beginning. All the calculations in the system were 3D, even from Hang-On. I calculated the position, scale, and zoom rate in 3D and converted it backwards to 2D. So I was always thinking in 3D".{{Cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/disappearance-suzuki-part-1?pager.offset=2|title=The Disappearance of Yu Suzuki, Part 1|last=Mielke|first=James|date=2012|website=1Up.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113174154/http://www.1up.com/features/disappearance-suzuki-part-1?pager.offset=2|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=22 January 2019}} The game achieves its 3D effects using a sprite-scaling technique called Super Scaler technology, as used one year earlier in Hang-On. Released in September 1986, Out Run{{'}}s fast sprite-scaling and 3D motion provide a smoother experience than other contemporary arcade games.

Suzuki also set about simulating car features that were previously lacking in earlier driving games, so that being a skillful driver in real life would translate to being skillful in the game. They simulated features such as horsepower, torque, gear ratios and tire engineering close to real cars. They also added AI assistance for features that were difficult to control, such as drifting. For the drifting, they added details such as, if the car's tires grip the road surface too closely, the car's handling becomes too twitchy, something that wasn't appreciated in earlier driving games.

Out Run{{'}}s original score was composed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, who had previously composed soundtracks for other games designed by Suzuki, including Hang-On. The soundtrack is similar in style to Latin and Caribbean music. Three selectable tracks are featured: "Passing Breeze", "Splash Wave", and "Magical Sound Shower". An additional track, "Last Wave", plays at the final score screen. Some of the game's audio samples were corrupted due to one of the master ROM chips failing, and the glitch was not noticed until Sega was preparing a soundtrack box-set for the game's 20th anniversary. The correct files were recovered from an 8-inch floppy disk, and subsequent re-releases of the game use the fixed data.{{cite web |title=SEGA 3D Classics – 3D Out Run – Part 3 |url=http://blogs.sega.com/2015/03/09/sega-3d-classics-3d-out-run-part-3/ |website=SEGA Blog |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312131429/http://blogs.sega.com/2015/03/09/sega-3d-classics-3d-out-run-part-3/ |archive-date=12 March 2015 |date=9 March 2015}} Cassette tapes of the arcade soundtrack were distributed in the United Kingdom during December 1987, both with the home computer conversions and with Computer and Video Games magazine.{{cite magazine |title=Blast your ears! Free OutRun/720° Soundtrack |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=15 December 1987 |issue=75 (January 1988) |page=1 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-075}} The Mega Drive port has the music tracks from the arcade, along with one exclusive new track titled "Step On Beat" composed by Masayoshi Ishi.{{cite web |title=Step On Beat |url=https://vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php/Step_On_Beat |website=Video Game Music Preservation Foundation Wiki |publisher=Video Game Music Preservation Foundation |access-date=25 December 2023}}

Out Run was released for the Master System in 1987, and the Genesis in 1991. Out Run was ported to the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum home computers for the European market. A conversion of Out Run was under development by Hertz for the X68000 but according to former Hertz employee Tsunetomo Sugawara, it was never released due to company management cancelling its development.{{cite web |author=CRV |date=13 February 2009 |title=Interview:Tsunetomo Sugawara |url=http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Tsunetomo_Sugawara |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724020915/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Tsunetomo_Sugawara |archive-date=24 July 2019 |access-date=23 July 2019 |work=Game Developer Research Institute}}{{cite web |last=W. Wöbcke |first=Graham |date=23 March 2017 |title=Outrun — The 1986 Arcade Game |url=https://medium.com/@gwobcke/outrun-a-1986-arcade-game-by-am2-sega-a2485a709cf7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724020913/https://medium.com/@gwobcke/outrun-a-1986-arcade-game-by-am2-sega-a2485a709cf7 |archive-date=24 July 2019 |access-date=23 July 2019 |work=Medium |publisher=A Medium Corporation}} A 32X version was also reportedly under development by Sega, but was never released.{{cite magazine |last=Kuboki |first=Kei |date=March 1995 |title=Special K's Japan Now – Special K's last-minute info |magazine=GameFan |publisher=DieHard Gamers Club |page=114 |volume=3 |issue=3 |issn=1092-7212}}

Ports of the arcade game were released for Game Boy Advance via Sega Arcade Gallery, for Nintendo 3DS via the 3D Classics series on 12 March 2015, and for Nintendo Switch as part of the Sega Ages line on 9 January 2019.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=23 May 2003 |title=Sega Arcade Gallery |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/23/sega-arcade-gallery |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Town |first=Jonathan |date=11 March 2015 |title=Review: 3D Out Run (3DS eShop) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/3d_out_run |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=11 January 2019 |title=Review: SEGA AGES Out Run – A Fantastic Update Of One Of Arcade Gaming's True Greats |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/sega_ages_out_run |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}

{{Video game reviews

| align = none

| title = Reception of Out Run by video game system

| na = false

| ARC = true

| SGG = true

| SMD = true

| SMS = true

| AMI = true

| AST = true

| C64 = true

| PC = true

| TG16 = true

| ZX = true

| ACE_SMS = 852{{cite journal|date=November 1987|title=Out Run|journal=ACE|publisher=Future plc|issue=2|pages=58–9|issn=0954-8076}}

| ACE_C64 = 610

| ACE_AST = 873{{cite journal|date=July 1988|title=Out Run|journal=ACE|publisher=Future plc|issue=10|page=64|issn=0954-8076}}

| ACE_AMI = 822{{cite journal|date=February 1989|title=Out Run|journal=ACE|publisher=Future plc|issue=17|page=68|issn=0954-8076}}

| AAction_PC = 37% (CPC){{cite magazine |magazine=Amstrad Action |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=30 |pages=46–47 |date=March 1988 |title=Action Test: Out Run |issn=0954-8068}}

| CVG_ARC = Positive

| CVG_SMS = 9/10

| CVG_C64 = 24/40{{cite journal|date=February 1988|title=Out Run|journal=Computer and Video Games|publisher=EMAP|issue=76|page=25|issn=0261-3697}}

| CVG_PC = 8/40 (CPC)

| CVG_AST = 7/10

| CVG_TG16 = 70%{{cite journal|title=Bytesize: PC Engine|journal=Computer and Video Games|date=March 1991|issue=112|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_27449|access-date=6 February 2012|page=77|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414022820/http://amr.abime.net/review_27449|archive-date=14 April 2013|url-status=live}}

| CRASH_ARC = Positive

| CRASH_ZX = 72%{{cite journal|date=February 1988|title=Out Run|journal=Crash|publisher=Newsfield|issue=49|pages=22–3|issn=0954-8661|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-49/Crash_49_Feb_1988#page/n21}}

| Dragon_SMS = {{Rating|4.5|5}}

| Gen4_SMS = 82%{{cite journal|last1=Franchi|first1=Robert|last2=Sportouch|first2=Michael|date=January–February 1988|title=Out Run|journal=Génération 4|language=fr|issue=2|page=43}}

| Gen4_AST = 78%{{Cite magazine|date=September 1988|title=Test: Outrun|magazine=Génération 4|language=fr|issue=5|page=32}}

| JP_SMD = 90%{{Cite magazine|date=November 1991|title=OutRun|magazine=Joypad|language=fr|publisher=Yellow Media|issue=1|pages=40–41|issn=1163-586X}}

| JS_SMD = 90%{{Cite magazine|title=OutRun|magazine=Joystick|language=fr|publisher=Anuman Interactive|issue=20|page=134 & 166|issn=1145-4806}}

| JS_SGG = 79%

| SUser_ARC = Positive

| SUser_ZX = 81%

| TGM_SMS = 72%{{cite journal|date=February 1988|title=Testabuster: Out Run|journal=The Games Machine|publisher=Newsfield|issue=3|pages=60–1|issn=0954-8092}}

| TGM_V64 = 67%

| TGM_ZX = 61%

| TGM_AST = 79%{{cite journal|date=June 1988|title=Out Run|journal=The Games Machine|publisher=Newsfield|issue=7|page=66|issn=0954-8092}}

| TGM_AMI = 75%{{cite journal|date=January 1989|title=Out Run|journal=The Games Machine|publisher=Newsfield|issue=14|page=40|issn=0954-8092}}

| TILT_SMS = 17/20{{cite journal|date=December 1987|title=Out Run|url=http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=354&album=oui|journal=Tilt|language=fr|issue=49|page=98|access-date=6 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111104011/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=354&album=oui|archive-date=11 November 2011|url-status=live}}

| YSinclair_ARC = Positive

| YSinclair_ZX = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/outrun.htm|title=OutRun|website=Your Sinclair|publisher=Dennis Publishing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106140403/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/outrun.htm|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=24 December 2015}}

| rev1 = Australian Commodore
and Amiga Review

| rev1_C64 = 95%{{cite journal|date=February 1988|title=Out Run|journal=Australian Commodore and Amiga Review|volume=5|issue=2|pages=25–6}}

| rev2 = Commodore User

| rev2_ARC = 9/10{{Cite magazine|date=March 1987|title=Out Run|magazine=Commodore User|issue=42|issn=0265-721X}}

| rev2_C64 = 67%{{Cite magazine|date=December 1988|title=Out Run review|magazine=Commodore User|publisher=EMAP|issue=63|issn=0265-721X}}

| rev3 = MegaTech

| rev3_SMD = 58%{{Cite magazine|date=June 1992|title=Out Run|magazine=MegaTech|publisher=EMAP|issue=6|page=77|issn=0964-5764}}

| rev4 = Sega-16

| rev4_SMD = 9/10{{cite web|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2004/07/outrun/|title=OutRun|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|date=20 July 2004|website=Sega-16|publisher=Ken Horowitz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120223001/http://www.sega-16.com/2004/07/outrun/|archive-date=20 November 2012|url-status=live|access-date=6 February 2012}}

| rev5 = Svenska Hemdatornytt

| rev5_SMD = 85%

| rev6 = Top Score

| rev6_ARC = Positive

| award1Pub = Golden Joystick Awards

| award1 = Game of the Year, Arcade Game of the Year

| award2Pub = Amusement Players Association's Players Choice Awards

| award2 = Best Visual Enhancement in a Video Game

| state = collapsed

}}

In Japan, Out Run topped the Game Machine charts for upright/cockpit arcade cabinets in November 1986,{{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=Game Machine|issue=295|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 November 1986|page=29|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19861101p.pdf#page=15}}{{cite magazine|date=15 November 1986|title=Best Hit Games 25|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19861115p.pdf#page=13|magazine=Game Machine|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|issue=295|page=25|lang=ja}} and remained at the top of the charts in the following month.{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=Game Machine|issue=296|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 December 1986|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19861201p.pdf#page=12}}{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=Game Machine|issue=297|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=15 December 1986|page=25|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19861215p.pdf#page=13}} It was Japan's highest-grossing upright/cockpit arcade game during the latter half of 1986,{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '86 上半期 |trans-title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: First Half '86 |magazine=Game Machine |issue=288 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 July 1986 |page=28 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19860715p.pdf#page=15}}{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '87 |magazine=Game Machine |issue=324 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 January 1988 |page=20 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19880115p.pdf#page=11}} and the overall seventh highest-grossing upright/cockpit arcade game of 1986. Out Run went on to become Japan's highest-grossing arcade game of 1987.{{cite magazine |title=87' ゲーメスト大賞 〜 ベストインカム |trans-title=87' Gamest Awards – Best Income |magazine=Gamest |date=28 December 1987 |volume=17 (February 1988) |url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0017/page/n29 |pages=25–38 (36–7) |lang=ja}} [http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v017.html alternate url] In North America, it topped the RePlay dedicated arcade game chart in February 1987,{{cite news |title=Coin-Op Top Ten |work=Top Score |date=Winter 1987 |publisher=Amusement Players Association |url=https://archive.org/details/1987WinterTopScore/page/n7}} and went on to become the highest-grossing arcade game of 1987 in the United States.{{cite magazine |title=1987 |magazine=Play Meter |date=December 1994 |volume=20 |issue=13 |page=78 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-20-number-13-december-1994/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Number%2013%20-%20December%201994/page/78}}{{cite magazine |last1=Compasio |first1=Camille |title=Around The Route |magazine=Cash Box |date=14 November 1987 |page=32 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox51unse_19/page/32 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.}} In the United Kingdom, the game topped London's Electrocoin arcade charts for several months in 1987, from February{{cite magazine |title=Top Ten Coin-Ops of the Month |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=March 1987 |issue=66 (April 1987) |page=92 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-066/page/n92}}{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=April 1987 |issue=67 (May 1987) |page=93 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-067/page/n92/mode/1up}} through June,{{cite magazine |title=Top Ten Coin-Ops of the Month |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=15 May 1987 |issue=68 (June 1987) |page=123 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-068/page/n122}}{{cite magazine |title=Top Ten Coin-Ops of the Month |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=15 June 1987 |issue=69 (July 1987) |page=89 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-069/page/n88}} and was the top arcade game of the year.{{cite magazine |title=Burn Rubber |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=15 December 1987 |issue=75 (January 1988) |pages=50–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-075/page/n49/mode/2up}} In Japan, it continued to rank among the annual highest-grossing dedicated arcade games for the next several years, ranking number three in 1988,{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '88 / "Game of the Year '88" By Game Machine |magazine=Game Machine |issue=348 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 January 1989 |pages=10–1, 26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890115p.pdf#page=6}} number five in 1989,{{cite magazine |title=Videos of The Year; "Tetris", "Chase H.Q." |magazine=Game Machine |issue=372 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 January 1990 |page=26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19900115p.pdf#page=14}} and number seven in 1990.{{cite magazine |title="Tetris" Has Still Earned More Than "Final Fight" |magazine=Game Machine |issue=396 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=1 February 1991 |page=22 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19910201p.pdf#page=12}} In Europe, Out Run was the most popular arcade game during the late 1980s.{{cite magazine |last1=Prisco |first1=Jacopo |title=How Out Run changed video games forever |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/out-run-video-game-design |access-date=4 November 2021 |magazine=Wired UK |date=18 September 2021}}

Sega had sold 18,000 Out Run arcade machines worldwide by early 1987, including 3,500 units in Japan, 8,000 units in the United States, and 6,500 units in Europe and Southeast Asia.{{cite journal |title=Business Japan |journal=Business Japan |date=July 1987 |volume=32 |issue=7–12 |page=119 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5gSAQAAMAAJ&q=%22outrun%22+%22million%22+sega |publisher=Nihon Kogyo Shimbun |quote=Sega has achieved spectacular sales results of 18,000 Outrun machines in the preceding term, broken down into 3,500 units in the domestic market, 8,000 units in the U.S. and 6,500 units in Europe and Southeast Asia.}} By late 1987, Out Run had sold 20,000 units worldwide,{{cite book|title=Out Run: ZX Spectrum Instructions |publisher=U.S. Gold|date=December 1987|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0003563}} earning Sega over {{US$|100 million|long=no}} ({{US$|{{Inflation|US|100|1986|r=-1}} million|long=no}} adjusted for inflation) in arcade machine sales,{{cite book |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |chapter=OutRun (September 1986) |title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games |date=22 June 2018 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-1-4766-7225-0 |pages=112–114 (114) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xT1jDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA114 |quote=Both versions went on to produce terrific numbers for Sega, bringing in total worldwide sales of over {{US$|100 million|long=no}} and adding another memorable franchise to Sega's stable of hits.}} and becoming Sega's best-selling arcade cabinet of the 1980s. By 1994, 30,000 cabinets had been sold worldwide.{{Cite magazine|title=OutRun|magazine=Mean Machines Sega|publisher=EMAP|issue=22|date=August 1994|pages=92–3|issn=0967-9014|url=https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-22/page/n91/mode/2up}} Sega eventually surpassed OutRun{{'}}s arcade sales with Virtua Fighter (1993) and Virtua Fighter 2 (1994).{{cite book|author=Famitsu DC|author-link=Famitsu DC|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:Sega_Arcade_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf&page=14|title=Interview: Akira Nagai — SEGA REPRESENTATIVE|work=セガ・アーケード・ヒストリー (Sega Arcade History)|series=Famitsu Books|publisher=Enterbrain|date=15 February 2002|pages=20–23|language=ja|isbn=9784757707900|access-date=15 August 2020|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820193203/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASega_Arcade_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf&page=14|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/akiranagai/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807024817/http://shmuplations.com/akiranagai/ |date=7 August 2020}}).

The 8-bit computer game ports published by U.S. Gold sold over 200,000 copies within two weeks of release in the United Kingdom,{{cite magazine|date=February 1988|title=Out Run|journal=Crash|publisher=Newsfield|issue=49|pages=22–23 (22)|issn=0954-8661|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-49/Crash_49_Feb_1988#page/n21}} and more than 250,000 by Christmas 1987,{{cite journal|date=July 1988|title=License To Thrill?|journal=ACE|publisher=Future plc|issue=10|page=31|issn=0954-8076|url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-10/page/n30}}{{cite journal|date=March 1988|title=T'ZERS|journal=Your Sinclair|publisher=Dennis Publishing|issue=27|page=7|issn=0269-6983}} topping the UK's Christmas 1987 chart.{{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/11/ |website=GamesRadar |page=11 |access-date=9 March 2021 |date=25 December 2007}} Out Run became the fastest-selling and best-selling computer game in the UK that year.{{cite journal |date=June 1988 |title=OutRun |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-080/page/n29 |journal=Computer and Video Games |publisher=EMAP |issue=80 |pages=30–1 |issn=0261-3697}} By early March 1988, it had sold over 350,000 copies, becoming the UK's all-time fastest-selling game up until then.{{cite magazine |title=Game of the Year |magazine=Your Sinclair |date=10 March 1988 |issue=28 (April 1988) |pages=64–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-28/page/n63/mode/2up}} In May 1988, the Atari ST version of Out Run became the first ST title to top the UK individual machine formats chart compiled by Gallup.{{cite news |title=Briefing |url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/76963a59f3316d1dc69fc9cfc4864398/tumblr_inline_pj4m10S4FY1r3ubz0_250.png |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 1988}} The Atari ST version had sold over 25,000 copies in the UK by mid-1988.{{cite magazine |title=Amiga |magazine=Crash |date=28 July 1988 |issue=55 (August 1988) |page=71 |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-55/page/n71}}

Out Run remained on the UK charts for several years. The budget price re-release from Kixx topped the all-formats chart in November 1990,{{cite magazine |title=The C+VG Charts |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=15 December 1990 |issue=110 (January 1991) |pages=75–8 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-110/page/n74}} and the Commodore 64 version was at number two on the all-formats chart in March 1991.{{cite magazine |title=CVG Charts |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=14 April 1991 |issue=114 (May 1991) |pages=63–6 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-114/page/n62}} It also topped the PC Engine charts during January–February 1991.{{cite magazine|date=16 February 1991|title=CVG Charts|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-112/page/n58/mode/1up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=112 (March 1991)|pages=59–62}}{{cite magazine|date=16 March 1991|title=CVG Charts|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-113/page/n58|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=113 (April 1991)|pages=59–62}} In 2020, Out Run became the second best-selling Sega Ages title in overseas markets outside of Japan (after Sonic the Hedgehog), especially in Europe.{{cite news |last1=Doolan |first1=Liam |title=Sega Ages Team Reveals The Most Popular Games In The Series: What were the highlights? |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/sega_ages_team_reveals_the_most_popular_games_in_the_series |access-date=12 March 2021 |work=Nintendo Life |date=21 November 2020}} As of 2021, the game's various home conversions have sold millions of copies worldwide.

Out Run{{'}}s arcade release received positive reviews and became one of the most popular arcade games of the year.{{cite journal|date=July 1987|title=OutRun Goes Gold|journal=Sinclair User|publisher=EMAP|issue=64|page=20|issn=0262-5458}} The game won the 1987 Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year, as well as for Arcade Game of the Year.{{Cite magazine |date=May 1988 |title=Golden Joystick Awards 1988 |magazine=Computer and Video Games |publisher=Future plc |issue=79 |page=39 |issn=0261-3697}} It also won "Best Visual Enhancement in a Video Game" at the 1986 Amusement Players Association's Players Choice Awards.{{cite news |date=Winter 1987 |title=Amusement Players Association's Players Choice Awards |work=Top Score |publisher=Amusement Players Association |url=https://archive.org/details/1987WinterTopScore/page/n19}} Clare Edgeley reviewed the arcade game in both Computer and Video Games and in Sinclair User, praising the graphics and the element of danger in the gameplay as well as the hydraulic motion simulator cabinet. Top Score newsletter called it "the most enjoyable" and "realistic driving video game ever created" while praising its innovative simulator cabinet, detailed visuals and stereo soundtrack.{{cite news |title=Hot New Games Debut for the Winter Season: AMOA Expo '86 Previews Sizzling Lineup of Video and Pin Games |work=Top Score |date=Winter 1987 |publisher=Amusement Players Association |url=https://archive.org/details/1987WinterTopScore/page/n2}} A review in Commodore User described it as "a great game for driving enthusiasts" and awarded it a score of 9 out of 10.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-42/Commodore_User_Issue_42_1987_Mar#page/n105/mode/2up/|title=Commodore User Magazine Issue 42|date=March 1987 |access-date=24 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410043223/https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-42/Commodore_User_Issue_42_1987_Mar#page/n105/mode/2up/|archive-date=10 April 2016|url-status=live}} Gary Penn, writing for Crash called the game "highly polished" and praised the attention to detail. In Your Sinclair, Peter Shaw praised its realism and described it as "the most frighteningly fast road race game" he had played.{{Cite magazine|last=Shaw|first=Peter|date=August 1987|title=Slots of Fun|magazine=Your Sinclair|publisher=Dennis Publishing|page=50|issn=0269-6983|url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/49/250}}

Out Run was ported to numerous home consoles and computers. Computer and Video Games praised the Master System release, with the writers concluding that it had "all the thrill power of the arcade version".{{cite journal|date=October 1987|title=Reviews: Out Run|journal=Computer and Video Games|publisher=EMAP|issue=72|pages=98–9|issn=0261-3697}} The Games Machine gave the Master System version a score of 72%, stating that the Master System version came closest to the original coin-op. Reviewers for Dragon described it as a "refreshing" game "that provides hours of entertainment".{{cite journal|last1=Lesser|first1=Hartley|last2=Lesser|first2=Patricia|last3=Lesser|first3=Kirk|date=September 1988|title=The Role of Computers|journal=Dragon|publisher=TSR, Inc.|issue=137|pages=88–93|issn=1062-2101}} Computer Gaming World named it as the year's best arcade translation for Sega.{{cite magazine|title=Video Gaming World|author1=Kunkel, Bill|date=November 1988|magazine=Computer Gaming World|publisher=Russell Sipe|author2=Worley, Joyce|page=54|issn=0744-6667|author3=Katz, Arnie}} Reactions to the 16-bit versions were generally positive. The Atari ST version (1988) was described by Computer and Video Games as "far from perfect", but that it came closer to the arcade original than the other ports. The 1991 Sega Genesis version also received positive reviews, scoring 90% from French gaming magazines Joypad and Joystick, as well as an 85% from Swedish magazine Svenska Hemdatornytt.{{cite journal |date=December 1991 |title=Out Run |journal=Svenska Hemdatornytt |language=sv |issue=10 |pages=33 & 72}}

The reception for the 8-bit personal computer ports by U.S. Gold was mixed. The ZX Spectrum version received positive scores from Your Sinclair and Sinclair User.{{cite journal|date=November 1990|title=OutRun|journal=Sinclair User|publisher=EMAP|issue=105|pages=60–1|issn=0262-5458}}{{cite journal|date=March 1988|title=OutRun|journal=Sinclair User|publisher=EMAP|issue=70|page=13|issn=0262-5458}} Some reviewers at Crash expressed disappointment at the low quality in contrast to the arcade original. The Games Machine gave the Spectrum version a score of 61%, noting the machine's technical limitations in comparison to the Master System and Commodore systems. The Commodore versions received positive to average reviews, though Computer and Video Games described the Commodore 64 port as "rushed". The Amstrad CPC port received a score of 8 out of 40 from Computer and Video Games, which described it as a "travesty", and a 37% score from Amstrad Action where the reviewer considered it one of the worst arcade conversions ever.

{{Timeline of release years

|1986=Out Run

|1988=OutRun 3-D

|1989a=Turbo OutRun

|1989b=Battle Out Run

|1991=Out Run Europa

|1992=OutRunners

|1993=OutRun 2019

|2003=OutRun 2

|2006=OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

|2009=OutRun Online Arcade

}}

Out Run was followed by various sequels, including three arcade sequels Turbo OutRun (1989), OutRunners (1992) and OutRun 2 (2003), and several non-arcade sequels including Out Run 3-D (1988), Out Run Europa (1991), OutRun 2019 (1993) and later OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006). Sega also developed Rad Mobile (1991) which is similar to Out Run.{{Cite web|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/the-terminator/|title=Rad Mobile|last=Dodd|first=Martin|date=31 October 2008|website=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410193142/https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/the-terminator/|archive-date=10 April 2019|url-status=live|access-date=18 January 2019}}

Former Sega arcade director Akira Nagai has credited Out Run and similar games for Sega's arcade success in the 1980s. According to Nagai: "Out Run, in particular, was really amazing for its time... Suzuki went on to make After Burner and a number of other games, but Out Run is still talked about with a special kind of wonder. With the taikan games, Sega's arcade business, which had been Sega's lowest performer in sales, gradually started to rise... For me personally, Hang-On and Out Run are my most memorable titles. They helped lift the arcade industry out of its slump, and created entirely new genres". The game's title has been adopted as a name for the synthwave music genre, which is also known as "outrun" music, inspired by the game's soundtrack which is selectable in-game as well as the game's 1980s aesthetic.{{cite web |last=Lambert |first=Molly |date=4 August 2016 |title=Stranger Things and how Tangerine Dream soundtracked the 80s |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2914736/molly-lambert-on-the-german-synthrock-bands-tv-moment/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821193534/http://www.mtv.com/news/2914736/molly-lambert-on-the-german-synthrock-bands-tv-moment/ |archive-date=21 August 2016 |access-date=28 August 2016 |website=MTV.com}} French musician Kavinsky named his debut album OutRun (2013) after the game.{{cite web |last=Battaglia |first=Andy |date=20 February 2013 |title=Kavinsky Opens Up About His Survivor Tattoo, Skrillex Movie Dates |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/02/kavinsky-outrun-drive-skrillex-tattoo-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820193202/https://www.spin.com/2013/02/kavinsky-outrun-drive-skrillex-tattoo-interview/ |archive-date=20 August 2020 |access-date=5 April 2018 |work=Spin}}

The game has been listed among the best games of all time by Next Generation,{{Cite magazine |date=September 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-021/Next_Generation_Issue_021_September_1996#page/n39/mode/2up |url-status=live |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Publishing |issue=21 |page=55 |issn=1078-9693 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203233916/https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-021/Next_Generation_Issue_021_September_1996#page/n39/mode/2up |archive-date=3 February 2017}} Retro Gamer,{{Cite magazine |date=January 2004 |title=Top 10 Retro Games |magazine=Retro Gamer |publisher=Live Publishing |issue=1 |page=30 |issn=1742-3155}} Stuff,{{Citation |title=100 Greatest Games |date=October 2008 |newspaper=Stuff |pages=116–126 |publisher=Dennis Publishing}} Time,{{Cite magazine |last=TIME staff |date=15 November 2012 |title=All-TIME 100 Video Games |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307075016/http://techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/ |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=11 April 2019}} G4,{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Top 100 Games |url=http://www.g4tv.com/top-100/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123063703/http://www.g4tv.com/top-100 |archive-date=23 November 2014 |access-date=11 April 2019 |website=G4 |publisher=G4 Media}} Killer List of Videogames,{{Cite web |last=McLemore |first=Greg |title=Our List of the Top 100 Coin-Operated Video Games |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/TOP100.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318052432/https://www.arcade-museum.com/TOP100.php |archive-date=18 March 2019 |access-date=11 April 2019 |website=Killer List of Videogames}} Yahoo!,{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=100 Greatest Computer Games of All Time |url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050801002743/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/ |archive-date=1 August 2005 |access-date=11 April 2019 |website=Yahoo!}} and NowGamer.{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=100 Greatest Retro Games |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106140403/http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-1/ |archive-date=6 January 2016 |access-date=11 April 2019 |website=NowGamer |publisher=Imagine Publishing}} In 2017, GamesRadar+ ranked the game 31st on their "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time".{{Cite web |last=GamesRadar Staff |date=21 June 2017 |title=Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sega-genesis-games-all-time/ |access-date=2022-02-24 |website=gamesradar |language=en}} Writing in 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, Joao Diniz Sanches praised Out Run{{'}}s "unforgettable design and expertly tuned game balance", describing the game as "the consummate exhibit in an oversubscribed genre" and "one of the purest and most joyous experiences in video gaming".{{cite book |last=Mott |first=Tony |title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die |publisher=Universe Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-7893-2090-2 |location=New York City |page=121}} In 2015, Out Run appeared in fourth place on IGN{{'}}s list of The Top 10 Most Influential Racing Games Ever, behind Pole Position, Gran Turismo and Virtua Racing. According to Luke Reilly, traces of Out Run DNA can be found in series like Test Drive, Need for Speed, Project Gotham Racing and Burnout, as well as modern racers like the Forza Horizon games and DriveClub.{{cite web |date=3 April 2015 |title=The Top 10 Most Influential Racing Games Ever |url=http://ign.com/articles/2015/04/03/the-top-10-most-influential-racing-games-ever?page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106140403/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/03/the-top-10-most-influential-racing-games-ever?page=2 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |access-date=24 December 2015 |website=IGN |page=2}} According to Jacopo Prisco of Wired UK, the influence of Out Run "is still being felt on consoles, in music, and in movies". Along with its influence on a wide range of racing games from Need for Speed and Gran Turismo to Project Gotham Racing and Forza Horizon, the game's selectable radio music has become commonplace in video games such as the Grand Theft Auto series as well as the choice to drive through alternate paths in racing games.

On April 21, 2025, Universal Pictures announced that they are developing a live action movie of Out Run with Michael Bay directing, Jayson Rothwell writing and Sydney Sweeney producing.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/sydney-sweeney-michael-bay-outrun-video-game-universal-1236373036/|title=Michael Bay And Sydney Sweeney Team On Movie Adaptation Of ‘OutRun’ Video Game At Universal|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 21, 2025|author=Justin Kroll|access-date=April 24, 2025}}

{{Portal|Video games}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist

| refs=

{{cite book | title=Out Run | publisher=Sega | date=1987 | location=UK | type=instruction manual booklet | quote="Your Car: Ferrari Testarossa Convertible. 2 door, 5 speed"}}

{{Citation

| last1=Penn

| first1=Gary

| last2=Kidd

| first2=Graeme

| last3=Stone

| first3=Ben

| title = A Day at the Seaside

| magazine = Crash

| publisher = Newsfield

| issn = 0954-8661

| issue = 39

| page = 31

|date=April 1987

|url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_No._39_1987-04_Newsfield_GB/page/n29

|via=Internet Archive

}}

}}

• {{moby game|id=/outrun}}
• {{KLOV game|8938}}
• {{WoS game|id=0003563}}

{{OutRun series|state=expanded}}

{{Franchises owned by Sega Sammy Holdings}}

{{Yu Suzuki}}

{{Golden Joystick GOTY}}

{{Ferrari}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1986 video games

Category:Amiga games

Category:Amstrad CPC games

Category:Arcade video games

Category:Atari ST games

Category:Cancelled Sega 32X games

Category:Cancelled X68000 games

Category:Commodore 64 games

Category:DOS games

Category:Ferrari video games

Category:Game Boy Advance games

Category:Golden Joystick Award winners

Category:Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year winners

Category:Master System games

Category:MSX games

Category:MSX2 games

Category:NEC PC-8801 games

Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games

Category:Nintendo Switch games

Category:Rutubo Games games

Category:Sanritsu Denki games

Category:Sega arcade games

Category:Sega video game franchises

Category:Game Gear games

Category:Sega Genesis games

Category:Sega Saturn games

Category:Sega video games

Category:SIMS (company) games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Tiger Electronics handheld games

Category:TurboGrafx-16 games

Category:U.S. Gold games

Category:Video games designed by Yu Suzuki

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games scored by David Whittaker

Category:Video games scored by Hiroshi Kawaguchi

Category:Video games with stereoscopic 3D graphics

Category:ZX Spectrum games