MegaRace

MegaRace is a cyberpunk vehicular combat and racing game featuring pre-rendered 3D graphics and over twenty minutes of full-motion video of the iconic fictional game show host Lance Boyle. It was developed by Cryo Interactive and initially released on March 28, 1994.

First published by The Software Toolworks and available for DOS, Sega CD, 3DO, Windows, Linux, and Mac, MegaRace was generally well received by critics and performed well in the market. On the Steam store, it has dozens of mildly positive reviews, while on GOG it is rated 3.9/5, at least as of this writing.

MegaRace‘s performance justified two sequels, MegaRace 2 in 1996 and MegaRace 3 in 2001, the former using the same pre-rendering method introduced in the original, albeit with 3D polygonal car models. The latter features real-time 3D graphics.

Videos

About the game

THIS IS THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE… OR DEATH! YOU’VE GOT TO FIGHT TO FINISH.

It’s the incredibly stunning visual communications highway of the future, and you’re the star of VWBT Network’s hit show — MEGARACE — with an audience that’s out for blood. To keep ratings up (the meaner you are, the higher they get), you’re pitted against five of the nastiest drivers ever to take a wheel in a wild virtual race to the finish… yours… or theirs.

BEWARE. THIS IS WAY BEYOND WHAT YOU’D EXPECT.

This race is so full of sound and fury, so graphic, so totally real, that you’ll squirm in your seat as you squeal around futuristic 3-0 cities in custom war wagons loaded with weapons. You’ll have so much fun so fast, it’ll make your head spin. Remember, your life depends on three things: speed, cunning and aggression. And you’re going to need them all.

It’s impossible to avoid tricky scum like Hammerhead and King Kool as their gangs try to take you out. But if you knock them off first you can grab their guns and get going on the ride of your life. It’s do… or die.

You haven’t seen anything like MEGARACE, because there’s never been anything like MEGARACE. Strap yourself into this brave new world of battle racing… and take it to the limit!

WHEN YOU SEE IT, YOU’LL BARELY BELIEVE IT

• Awesome high-tech digitized video commentary throughout by Mega Race host … Lance Boyle!

• 15 fully-rendered track environments featuring mind-blowing details.

• Hot music soundtrack with a bad, bad beat.

• Supercharged realtime racing action, wimps need not apply!

• Weaponry that would make the rowdiest, weapon-rigged road warrior drool with envy.

• Virtual vehicular vigilante-ism at its best!!!

Gameplay

In MegaRace, players enter a futuristic vehicular combat competition where racing and destruction go hand in hand. Set in a virtual world created by the fictional Virtual Television network, the game allows you to race through 14 tracks across five distinct environments, with the goal of eliminating rival gang members known as speed-gang punks. As Lance Boyle, your over-the-top host, puts it, “Who knows; who cares!” – after all, everything you see is virtual, and no one truly gets hurt.

The gameplay combines vehicular combat with rail-shooter mechanics, meaning you don’t have full control over your car’s movement. You can steer from side to side and accelerate within a limited range, but you cannot turn or stop as the tracks are pre-rendered in full-motion video. Your objective is simple: wipe out all of the opponents on each track before completing three laps.

To defeat your enemies, you can slam them into walls or use missiles attached to your car. However, your supply of missiles is limited, so careful targeting is key. Additionally, as you race through each track, you’ll encounter various symbols scattered on the road. Running over these symbols can either enhance or hinder your performance, speeding you up, slowing you down, or even causing damage to your vehicle.

Each race becomes progressively more challenging as the number of opponents increases. If you fail to eliminate all enemies within the three laps, you’ll have to restart the race. However, success allows you to move on to the next track. There’s also an added twist: if you manage to surpass Lance Boyle’s score of 120,000 points or perform well in certain conditions, you may be granted access to the next level, even if you don’t finish in first place. Otherwise, you might be forced to retry at the “Last-Chance Speedway.”

With eight different cars and a variety of tracks that change based on difficulty levels, MegaRace offers players a unique blend of high-speed action and combat. The virtual world ensures that you can unleash destruction without consequence, making it as entertaining as it is chaotic.

Features

• Enjoy over 20 minutes of video commentary from your MegaHost – Lance Boyle!
• Battle round 16 fully-rendered virtual racetracks.
• Choose from 8 supercharged vehicles loaded with weaponry.
• Listen to hot music soundtracks.
• Compete in the best Virtual Racing show ever.

Screenshots

More info and racing

• RacePRG – A MegaRace fan site featuring gameplay details and DOSBox emulation info. Archived.
• MegaRace 1+ 2 @ GOG – Store’s listing.
• MegaRace 1 @ Steam – Store’s listing.
• MegaRace 1 @ Zoom – Store’s listing.
• MegaRace @ Gaming Room – Source, with more info and media. In Portuguese.
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