Championship Sprint (rev 3)

Arcade Video game published 38 years ago:

Championship Sprint (c) 1986 Atari Games Corp.

Championship Sprint is an updated version of the old Atari Sprint series, with the added ability for players to upgrade their vehicles as the game progresses. Upgrades are won by collecting the bonus wrenches that appear once during each race, and once players have collected four wrenches, they will be presented with an upgrade screen; allowing them to choose better traction, top speed, acceleration, or a faster helicopter.

Collisions with barriers should, of course, be avoided, as they invariably cost the player valuable time. Also; a direct, head-on collision can cause the players' vehicles to explode - particularly if the player is moving at speed when this happens. In the event of a car exploding, a helicopter will automatically airlift a replacement vehicle to the track; this replacement will retain any previous upgrades made by the player. Waiting for the replacement car takes precious time and allows rival drivers to gain a distinct advantage. Car replacement time can be shortened upgrading the helicopter.

The tracks themselves are all variations on the basic 'oval', with gates, jumps, ramps and crossroads ensuring a demanding, yet incredibly playable game.

- TECHNICAL -

Game ID : 136045

Runs on the "Atari System 2" hardware.

Players : 2
Control : Steering wheel with gas pedal

- TRIVIA -

Championship Sprint was released in September 1986 in the memory of George Opperman (1935-1985). Mr. Opperman was the first artist hired by Atari and the creator of the Atari logo.

2,599 dedicated units were produced in the USA. The selling price was $2,795.
Also, 996 conversion kits were produced. Selling price: $995.

- SERIES -

1. Sprint 2 (1976)
2. Sprint 8 (1977)
3. Sprint 4 (1977)
4. Sprint One (1978)
5. Super Sprint (1986)
6. Championship Sprint (1986)
7. BadLands (1990)

- STAFF -

Designers and programmers : Robert Weatherby, Kelly Turner
Animators : Will Noble, Kris Moser, Sam Comstock
Technicians : Dave Wiebenson, Minh Nguyen
Audio : Hal Canon

- PORTS -

* CONSOLES:
Sony PlayStation 2 [AU] (2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2"
[US] Microsoft XBOX (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model MWO-3201W]"
Nintendo GameCube [US] (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model DOL-GAYE-USA]"
[US] Sony PS2 (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model SLUS-20997]"
[EU] Microsoft XBOX (oct.29, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2"
[EU] Sony PS2 (oct.29, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model SLES-52844]"
Sony PlayStation 3 [PSN] [US] (may.31, 2007)
Sony PlayStation 3 [PSN] [EU] (june.29, 2007)
Microsoft XBOX 360 [US] (nov.6, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins"
Sony PlayStation 3 [US] (nov.6, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins [Model BLUS-31083]"
[EU] Microsoft XBOX 360 (nov.15, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins"
Sony PlayStation 3 [EU] (nov.15, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins [Model BLES-01768]"

* HANDHELDS:
[US] Sony PSP (dec.13, 2005) "Midway Arcade Treasures Extended Play [Model ULUS-10059]"
[EU] Sony PSP (feb.24, 2006) "Midway Arcade Treasures Extended Play [Model ULES-00180]"

* COMPUTERS:
[EU] Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1988) "Championship Sprint [Model URK 627]"
[EU] Amstrad CPC (1988)
[US] Commodore C64 [EU] (1988)
[US] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (feb.17, 2006) "Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition"