Once Upon a Time

OutRun, thanks Yu Suzuki!

Name: OutRun, thanks Yu Suzuki!
Item: OutRun
Rating: 9
Author: Simon Larocca

by Simon LaroccaNovember 15, 2023

Spiaggia, sea, popsicles and a sense of freedom.

OutRun makes me think of all this and even more. The connection that is established between an object and the memories linked to it can be powerful and wonderful: who among us has never associated a video game, a film, or a book with the exact moment when we first enjoyed it, along with all the sensations and emotions it conveyed to us at the time?

SEGA, when it released OutRun, giving us one of the most beautiful arcade cabinets ever, wanted to pay homage to that sense of cheerful freedom you experience during seaside vacations, dreaming of driving a blazing red Ferrari, perhaps with the most important person in our lives beside us.

Obviously it’s not all smooth sailing; in fact, during our run, accidents will be around every corner, or rather around every bend, and when that happens, we’ll see our blonde girl hurl a series of insults at us that we won’t forget so easily, and that will make us regret having let her get on board. But let’s take it step by step...

Released in 1986 and later converted to almost all existing platforms, OutRun is a driving simulation game that completely departs from the realism of previous racing games, introducing the possibility of selecting the music track that will accompany us during the game through the car radio, the quintessential iconic object for boys who lived in a complicated and layered historical period, where music represented one of the tools for rebelling against the prevailing conformity.

Il gioco is divided into various routes that the player can choose at the famous "forks," which precede the checkpoints. We will travel through various settings, which seem to come straight out of the most glossy and evocative vacation postcards, on scorching roads where we will encounter many other enemy vehicles to avoid and overtake.

Yu Suzuki, legendary Japanese programmer and creator of the game, gives the world a carefree but not trivial game, and the graphics engine obviously recalls that of another iconic game of the era, Space Harrier: different genres but the same fun, at the highest levels!

Come mentioned earlier, every OutRun player knows well that having an accident in the game means not only losing precious seconds, but also getting a hearty scolding from our beautiful passenger; after all, how could you blame her?

OutRun is therefore a seminal driving experience in its genre, with inimitable charm and one that, like the breeze that carries the scent of sea salt, will give you something magical and inviting.

Pro

Driving game that captures the essence of the arcade era, immediate and just challenging enough

The girlfriend’s reactions when you get into an accident: the Eighties meme

Ability to choose the accompanying music via the car radio and sound system: unforgettable features

Contro

High time loss when an incident is committed, a factor that weighs heavily on the match

Anyone looking for realism and impeccable impact physics will be very disappointed

Complete

39,88 €

New

69,47 €

Graded

76,42 €

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Simon Larocca

Mi chiamo Simon Larocca, e sono un videogiocatore, collezionista e amante della cultura pop in tutte le sue forme. Vado al cinema ogni volta che posso, leggo da quando porto gli occhiali, quindi da sempre, e ho la passione per lo storytelling in tutte le sue forme, così dirompente da farla diventare una professione. Ma come direbbe Doc di Ritorno al Futuro, non ci sarebbe presente se non si guardasse al passato con rispetto e ammirazione, ed è il Simon bambino di più di trent’anni fa, anno più anno meno.

Simon Larocca

OutRun, thanks Yu Suzuki!

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