California Speed (Version 1.0r8 Mar 10 1998, GUTS Mar 10 1998 / MAIN Mar 10 1998)

Arcade Video game published 26 years ago:

California Speed (c) 1998 Atari Games Corp.

California Speed is a racing game set in numerous locations across the state of California, in which players compete against different racers as they fight to finish ahead of the pack. Each track features timed checkpoints that must be reached within a set time limit, failure to do so results in disqualification from the race.

Players can choose automatic or manual gears and can race in any one of twelve different cars. The game includes three closed-circuit tracks modelled closely on famous racing tracks, as well as eleven open-road courses that take in such locations as cities, deserts, mountains, shopping malls and even a roller coaster.

Each of the game's fourteen tracks are graded for difficulty; either 'Easy', 'Advanced' or 'Expert'.

- TECHNICAL -

Atari Seattle hardware

Main CPU : R5000 (@ 150 Mhz)
Sound CPU : ADSP2115 (@ 16 Mhz)
Sound Chips : (2x) DMA-driven (@ 16 Mhz)

Players : 2
Control : steering wheel with force feedback, four position shift lever, two pedals

- TRIVIA -

California Speed was released in March 1998 in USA.

There are 2 types of California Speed, one of which does not utilise the 4 position shift lever. This was the factory kit that converted "Hyperdrive" to California Speed.

On the Laguna Seca raceway, adverts for some other Atari games can be seen in the background : "Mace - The Dark Age", "Maximum Force", "Primal Rage" and "Area 51".

- UPDATES -

Release 1 :
* version 1.0r7a (3/4/98)

Release 2 :
* version 2.1a (4/17/98)

- TIPS AND TRICKS -

* Bonus Cars : Set your transmission number to 1, then press RADIO in the car selection screen to change one car from each row into a different vehicle.

* Fruit Attack : If you get ahead of someone tap your gas pedal and the START button simultaneously to throw fruit at the driver behind you. This is pointless but fun.

* Mirrored tracks : hold down all 3 view buttons during track select for mirrored tracks.

* Backrow vehicles : press Tailgate Cam button during car select to choose backrow vehicles.

* During attract mode, press View 1+View 3+Radio to see the version/revision of your machine.

* Here are the cars list with all information you need :

Cresta Convertible
Top Speed : 203 MPH/325 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.65 Secs
Weight : 2940 Lbs.
Horsepower : 492@9200 RPM

C.H.P.
Top Speed : 206 MPH/330 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.71 Secs
Weight : 3220 Lbs.
Horsepower : 545@6700 RPM

Dakar
Top Speed : 200 MPH/320 HPH
Traction : High
Acceleration : 5.01 Secs
Weight : 5140 Lbs.
Horsepower : 577@5200 RPM

Predator
Top Speed : 206 MPH/330 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.73 Secs
Weight : 3140 Lbs.
Horsepower : 545@6700 RPM

Fairchild
Top Speed : 206 MPH/330 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.71 Secs
Weight : 3220 Lbs.
Horsepower : 545@6700 RPM

Street Fighter
Top Speed : 202 MPH/323 HPH
Traction : Medium/High
Acceleration : 4.87 Secs
Weight : 3140 Lbs.
Horsepower : 504@6700 RPM

Wide Hog
Top Speed : 201 MPH/322 HPH
Traction : High
Acceleration : 5.01 Secs
Weight : 7213 Lbs.
Horsepower : 712@1700 RPM

M2
Top Speed : 206 MPH/330 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.71 Secs
Weight : 3220 Lbs.
Horsepower : 545@6700 RPM

Road Burner
Top Speed : 205 MPH/328 HPH
Traction : Medium/High
Acceleration : 4.85 Secs
Weight : 4819 Lbs.
Horsepower : 560@8200 RPM

SUV
Top Speed : 205 MPH/328 HPH
Traction : High
Acceleration : 4.65 Secs
Weight : 4840 Lbs.
Horsepower : 540@6700 RPM

Sledster
Top Speed : 206 MPH/330 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.71 Secs
Weight : 3220 Lbs.
Horsepower : 545@6700 RPM

F1
Top Speed : 207 MPH/331 HPH
Traction : Medium/Low
Acceleration : 4.63 Secs
Weight : 2240 Lbs.
Horsepower : 420@8400 RPM

Kart
Top Speed : 202 MPH/323 HPH
Traction : High
Acceleration : 4.97 Secs
Weight : 1140 Lbs.
Horsepower : 345@11000 RPM

Velocity 6000
Top Speed : 206 MPH/330 HPH
Traction : Medium
Acceleration : 4.76 Secs
Weight : 3140 Lbs.
Horsepower : 545@6700 RPM

Rodster
Top Speed : 205 MPH/328 HPH
Traction : Medium/High
Acceleration : 4.85 Secs
Weight : 4819 Lbs.
Horsepower : 560@8200 RPM

- STAFF -

Producer : Steve Ritchie
Associate Producer & Art Direction : Philip Swett
Lead Programmer: Carl Ferreira
Game Programmers: Dave Akers, Frank Kuan
Lead 3D and Concept Artist: Kevin Page
3D and Concept Artist: Manuel Laguatan
3D Vehicles and Movie Art: Barry Focha
3D Animation and Texture Artist: Gene Higashi
Music, Sounds, and Speech : Kevin Quinn, Dave Zabriske, Chris Granner, John Paul, Joe Lyford, Gunnar Madsen, Rich Carle, Todd Modjesky

Executive Producer: Mark Stephen Pierce

Hardware Technician: Paul Shepard
Hardware Engineering: Pete Mokris, Cary Mednick, Steve Correll, Andy Eloff
Technical Assistance: Pete Takaichi, Rick Meyette
Video Movies and Models: Greg Allen, Brent Englund

Marketing Assistance: Ray Bersabe, Mary Fujihara, Roger Sharpe, Derryl DePriest, Jackie Sherman, Ann Denton, Alexandra Donnelly, Randall Ng
Sales: Mike Taylor, Elaine Shirley, Tom Keil, Masato Ohata, Hiroko Koike
Customer Service: Al Vernon, Holly Lamontagne

Cabinet Art: Nik Ehrilch, Dan Bigelow
Systems Support: Dave Sheppard, Forrest Miller, Randy Davis, Felix Robinos, Jeff Bell, Glenn McNamara, Tox Gunn, Mike Albaugh
Logistical Sanity: Karen Jefferson, Evelyn Perez, George Millington, Rick McDowell, Sally Garza, John McKillip

Good Advice: Mark Pierce, Neil Nicastro, Dan Van Elderen, Ken Fedesna, Eugene Jarvis, Paul Dussault, Eric Prybl, Larry DeMar, Victor Sarkan, Todd Erickson, John Ray, Robert Daly, Charlie Grisafi, Don Diekneite, Bill Hindorff, Wallace Poulter, Takeshi Hasegawa, Dennis Harper, Josh Nicholson, Darren Walker, Chris Ritchie

Atari Gametesters Test Manager: Mike Kruse
Product Analysts: David J. Ortiz, Jose Amparan
Testers: Cecil "Bizahr" Wayne Carthen Jr., Pablo Buitrago, Joseph Magome, Rich Reed, Donald Gavino, Charles Ybarra, Jerry Cruz, T. Lewis, Kevin Dines

Sr. Engineering Tech. : Patrick Hubbell

- PORTS -

* CONSOLES: