Speed King (1985 video game)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Mervyn J. Estcourt (C64)
- Sculptured Software (Atari 8-bit)
- Shaun Southern (C16)
- Digital Integration (C64)
- Mastertronic (all other versions)
1986: Atari 8-bit, C16, CPC, MSX
| Speed King | |
|---|---|
 Commodore 64 cover | |
| Developers |
|
| Publishers |
|
| Platforms | Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, MSX |
| Release | 1985: C64 1986: Atari 8-bit, C16, CPC, MSX |
| Genre | Racing game |
| Mode | Single player |
Speed King is a motorcycle racing video game released in 1985 by Digital Integration for the Commodore 64 and in 1986, in a budget edition, by Mastertronic, for the Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 16, and MSX. It is a port of Full Throttle, released in 1984 for the ZX Spectrum and developed by the same person, Mervyn Estcourt.[1]
Mastertronic also released a sequel for the ZX Spectrum, Speed King 2, in 1986.[2]
Speed King is a typical single-player racing game, in the style of Pole Position, with a perspective view from behind the motorcycle. You can select from ten real-world circuits, with the option to preview the track from a first-person perspective, as well as take test laps. Each game is a single race with 19 other opponents on the track, with three possible difficulty levels. The motorcycle has a six-speed manual transmission and can reach speeds of up to 250 miles per hour (mph).[3] In ascending order of gear ratios, the maximum speeds are: 42, 56, 83, 144, 174, and 250 miles per hour.[4] Colliding with an opponent or veering off the road causes you to fall off the motorcycle and restart from a standstill.
The Commodore 16 version is limited to four tracks, five laps, no skill levels, and you cannot control the speed; you can only change gears.[5]