Top Gear is a racing video game for the Super NES, published by Kemco and developed by Gremlin Graphics in 1992. The objective of the game is to become the fastest driver in the world by racing other drivers across several nations. The franchise is unrelated to the TV series of the same name.
It marks the first game in the Top Gear racing game franchise, and it is one of the first racing games to be released on the Super NES. This game and its next two sequels were created by the same developers as the similar Lotus series of games released earlier on the Commodore Amiga and Sega Mega Drive systems.
The game became very popular in Brazil. It inspired Brazilian company Aquiris Game Studio to create Horizon Chase, whose soundtrack was scored by Top Gear composer Barry Leitch.
Gameplay
SNES Car selection screen
When players first start the game, they are given several options to choose from, including entering their name, a choice of four different controller layouts, a choice between automatic or manual transmission, and their choice of four unique cars. During the race, the player will have to steer and shift gears (if they chose a manual transmission). The player is also given control over three “nitros”, which allow the player to increase their speed for a short period of time. The game features a password save system, made up of automotive terms such as “gear box” and “oilcloth”. Each password grants access to another country to race in. During the race, there are pits in which players must stop in order to refuel. If their car runs out of fuel and coasts to a stop before the race is finished, the player will be disqualified.
The music in Top Gear mostly consists of remixed tracks from the Lotus series of racing games on the Amiga produced by Barry Leitch. For example, the title music of Top Gear is taken from the ending of Lotus Turbo Challenge 2, and the third race of each country uses a remixed version of the Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge title theme.
One of the songs of this game is unlocked on the 2015 game Horizon Chase. This game marks the return of Barry Leitch to video-game composing. The game shows a background digitized grayscale picture of the Detroit GP in 1988.
