Michael Andretti's Indy Car Challenge

Gameplay

The game features Champ Car (now called IndyCar) action.[1] There are many modes of play including single race, season mode, and the option to disable the sound and/or music. The season mode consists of 16 tracks.[2] One or two players can join in on the action.

Prior to each race, the player is given the option to adjust tire pressure, downforce, and gear ratio. Higher tire pressure reduces grip on the road but increases acceleration and top speed. Higher down force does the reverse. Higher gear ratio increases top speed but reduces acceleration.[2]

Each track features its own hints in a section called "Michael's Advice". The game is roughly based on the 1994 CART World Series season and the viewpoint is from a third-person perspective.[1]

In their review, GamePro described the game as solidly designed, with an excellent sensation of speed, meticulous recreation of real life racing tracks, and an impressive replay feature with multiple camera views. However, they opined that the inability to make other cars crash leaves the game devoid of drama.^[4] The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it scores of 91% and 82%, praising the graphics, sounds, and playability.^[5]

A programming bug allows the vehicles to shrink in size when the player holds the L and R buttons simultaneously under certain conditions. According to a contemporaneous account, the issue was reported in November 1995 by 11-year-old Donald R. Leandro Jr., who contacted Bulletproof software via mail regarding the glitch. Company president Henk Rogers reportedly acknowledged the report, sent promotional merchandise to Leandro, and informed him that he would be featured in company promotional material or a gaming magazine for identifying the coding error.