Recommend me a couple of Chase HQ'ish games :)

[EinhanderZwei]

I'm a HUGE fan of police-themed movies and games, so Taito's Chase HQ is one of my all-time favorites. However, I want MOAR Arcade and SNES versions are absolutely fantastic, and so are two Pursuit Force games on PSP - totally awesome. So what I want is for you to advise me some more police-themed car combat games with shooting. I'm already aware of Ray Tracers for PS1 (also made by Taito) - is it any good?

[TrevHead (TVR)]

I used to love Chase HQ on the old spectrum +2, sigh good memories.

Heres a couple of other games that arnt cop themed but still are in the same combat/ driving vein

I highly recomend Road Blaster(s) a really great arcade game i had for the speccy way back, arcade version along with the arcade perfect megadrive, Lynx versions are the best. Theres a NES version which is slightly easier then the arcade versions but still allot of fun.

Then theres always the 16bit MD Road Rash's, 2nd one is my fav but i hear the Sega CD rod rash is good aswell.

[EinhanderZwei]

Yeah, Road Blasters is cool, at least the NES version, which is the only one I've played, actually. Will check arcade, MegaDrive and Lynx versions

Road Rash is also a classic, especially 3rd one... despite the odd graphics

There's also a game called Fire & Forget 2 - I've played it on PC and SMS, are there any other versions of it? And of course, what about its prequel?

EDIT: According to MobyGames, both F&F's were released on Atari ST, among others... A reason for me to download its emu for PSP!

[boagman]

I'm a HUGE fan of police-themed movies and games, so Taito's Chase HQ is one of my all-time favorites. However, I want MOAR Arcade and SNES versions are absolutely fantastic, and so are two Pursuit Force games on PSP - totally awesome. So what I want is for you to advise me some more police-themed car combat games with shooting. I'm already aware of Ray Tracers for PS1 (also made by Taito) - is it any good?

Have you played the spiritual sequel to Chase HQ, called S.C.I. (Special Criminal Investigations)? Very, very similar gameplay to Chase HQ, only with the addition of a gun/weapon attached to the high/low gear shift. Taito made this one, too, and I liked it when I played it.

Another that comes to mind would be Namco's Lucky & Wild, but that game pales in comparison to either Chase HQ or S.C.I. Oh, and Roadblasters *is* very cool indeed.

Hope that helps!

[louisg]

Roadblasters, Roadblasters, and more Roadblasters! The Genesis ver is probably the best way to play it at home, taking into account control and everything. Super Chase in the arcade is also pretty decent, but maybe a bit messy. Road Rash on 3do/Saturn/PSX/etc is good too (best of series?)

Ok, so anyone know if SMS Fire and Forget II is any good and whether it works in NTSC? How about Battle Outrun or Outrun Europa? I just got a SMS and am looking for games for it . . not to derail the topic too much =)

[EinhanderZwei]

Fire & Forget 2 plays mostly the same on PC and SMS, but PC graphics and pixel art are yummier

[boagman]

Super Chase in the arcade is also pretty decent, but maybe a bit messy.

And the pope is "a bit" Catholic. I didn't mention Super Chase simply because it was such a horrible mess, and didn't want him to waste his time. While S.C.I. at least had the original idea down pat with a minor addition or two, Super Chase just plain went off the reservation, and I didn't care for it at all.

[Mortificator]

Lucky & Wild was awesome in the arcade, but MAME's missing most of the voices, which takes away from the campy buddy-movie style.

A.B. Cop is a game I haven't played much of... it's a futuristic Chase H.Q. / Hang-On hybrid.

[BrianC]

Have you played Battle Outrun for Master System? I liked what I tried of it and I heard some positive things. It's very similar to Chase HQ and out Chase HQs the SMS Chase HQ. It has a nice power up system with a shop in between levels. I don't have it yet, but I heard it plays fine on US machines (and seems to play at the right speed).

I recommend the Genesis Roadblasters since it's a great port, but it's missing voices from the arcade game.

[CIT]

Ray Tracers (PS1) - made by Taito, kind of an unofficial sequel to the Chase HQ series

Super Chase H.Q. (SNES) - kind of based off Super Chase, but different and very worthwhile

[TrevHead (TVR)]

its a shame more old schools games dont use the road blasters gameplay. If there is a genre of fan games/ indie that screams to be made its a RB clone, unfortuantly 2d racing games arnt something u come across all that often, must be the difficulties in programming
The only other games i can think of are the PS1 era games like detruction derby, carmageddon, twisted metal or whatnot or those mario cart and clone games.

Best 3d racer to use weapons imo is the wipeout games, nothing come near em

[BrianC]

Ok, so anyone know if SMS Fire and Forget II is any good and whether it works in NTSC? How about Battle Outrun or Outrun Europa? I just got a SMS and am looking for games for it . . not to derail the topic too much =)

I think I read somewhere that Fire and Forget II may have glitches on the US system (I generally heard bad things about it, though I haven't played it myself). Battle Outrun should be fine. If Kega Fusion or Meka are any indication, it even runs at the correct speed in 60 Hz (I think the game came out in Canada too). I heard that Outrun Europa may run a bit fast on US systems (and it has a GG version that is just the SMS version that runs in SMS compatibility mode for the GG).

I heard that Special Criminal Investigation for SMS should work on US systems at the correct speed and even auto adjusts the speed depending on whether 50 or 60 Hz is used. However, I also heard the game is very easy. The scrolling is quite impressive for SMS, though.

How is Chase HQ 2 for the Genesis? I heard some good things, but I haven't played it.

[EinhanderZwei]

OK, so here are my impressions so far...

Battle Outrun - haven't played yet
Lucky & Wild - haven't played yet
A.B. Cop - haven't played yet
Ray Tracers - haven't played yet
Special Criminal Investigation - haven't played yet
Road Blasters for Genesis - freaking awesome!!
Super Chase HQ for SNES - I've aleady mentioned it in the opening post. Probably my most favorite Chase HQ incarnation
Chase HQ 2 for Genesis - very cool, gotta love the smooth scrolling
Fire & Forget - not-that-good controls on Atari ST, not-that-good graphics on PC
Fire & Forget 2 - PSP DosBox launched it flawlessly. Awesome game!

I'd also advise to check out these:
Outlander - the most brutal Mad Max ripoff I've seen. There exist versions for SNES and Genesis - the main difference is that SNES version has smoother graphics and is played from 3rd person view
Pursuit Force and Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice - both for PSP. One of the best and overlooked portable game series ever!

[Drum]

APB (Atari, 1987) is pretty cool, but it's tough to get your head around at first and the control setup is not well suited for MAMEing.

[louisg]

There's a good DOS version of APB. It seems like one of those games that got ported to every computer but no consoles!

[pcb_revival]

If you have PS3, XboX360 and online.

BurnOut Paradise - Cops N Robbers. (DLC)

BurnOut Paradise - Marked Man.

[EinhanderZwei]

If you have PS3, XboX360 and online.

BurnOut Paradise - Cops N Robbers. (DLC)

BurnOut Paradise - Marked Man.

Hmm, well I do have PS3 and online, and in fact one of my friends had recommended BurnOut Paradise to me. But AFAIK it has no shooting element - correct me if I'm wrong

[pcb_revival]

No shooting but the TakeDown on another human player is ecstasy which is why I am still playing after 2 years since the games release.

[louisg]

Actually.. don't think this was mentioned yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PFUjmBmA1A

The budget Starsky & Hutch game was pretty fun =) It's sort of a blatant Chase HQ rip off. I think it came out at $10.

[BrianC]

It's overhead, but Spy Hunter is definitely a good driving game with shooting. I recommend one of the ports like the Colecovision or NES over emulation due to how emulation often treats the controls. There's a sequel that's more Roadblasters-ish, but from what I remember, it's not that good.

Bump 'n Jump/Burnin' Rubber is another one worth checking out. No shooting, and it's overhead, but, as the western name suggests, you can bump cars (even into walls) and destroy other cars by jumping on top of them. The home versions of 2600, Intellivision, and Colecovision are also very good (though the control seems more sluggish for the CV one). The NES version is more of a sequel or follow up than a port and even had a different name from the original in Japan (Buggy Popper).

[Ed Oscuro]

Bump 'n Jump/Burnin' Rubber is another one worth checking out. No shooting, and it's overhead, but, as the western name suggests, you can bump cars (even into walls) and destroy other cars by jumping on top of them. The home versions of 2600, Intellivision, and Colecovision are also very good (though the control seems more sluggish for the CV one). The NES version is more of a sequel or follow up than a port and even had a different name from the original in Japan (Buggy Popper).

Also Mad Gear and (with shooting) Last Duel.

[DC906270]

thanks to this thread, just tried Ray Tracers, excellent little game

[Drum]

Saw this on indiegames.com:

http://www.johnnytwoshoes.com/game/highspeedchasetwo

Can't vouch for it's quality - I'm on 56k right now and I don't have the patience to wait for it to load, but it made me think of this thread.

[EinhanderZwei]

It's overhead, but Spy Hunter is definitely a good driving game with shooting. I recommend one of the ports like the Colecovision or NES over emulation due to how emulation often treats the controls. There's a sequel that's more Roadblasters-ish, but from what I remember, it's not that good.

I played the ZX Spectrum version to death when I was a kid Super Spy Hunter for NES is also awesome

[louisg]

I dunno, I think I'd actually recommend emulating Spy Hunter over the home ports. All the home ports are fun (and the c64 one was the first game I owned), but none capture the gameplay or just sheer awesomeness of the arcade version.

[BrianC]

I dunno, I think I'd actually recommend emulating Spy Hunter over the home ports. All the home ports are fun (and the c64 one was the first game I owned), but none capture the gameplay or just sheer awesomeness of the arcade version.

The controls in the GCN Midway Arcade Treasures don't capture the awesomeness of the arcade version and I doubt standard joypad controls in MAME are up to snuff. I like the CV one because it controls great with the Super Action Controller and you can destroy the truck after you get the power up from it. It's missing the puddles, but, so far, I don't miss them.

[EinhanderZwei]

Just tried out PS1 port of Taito's Night Striker. Awesome take on Chase HQ and Afterburner

[DC906270]

i dont see the similarity with Night Striker & Chase HQ TBH But i agree its a top game. I particularly buzz off the Zuntata soundtrack when i play it I am somewhat reminded of Night Striker however, when ive been playing Ray Tracers recently, i think its got a similar design looks-wise, but Ray Tracers has obviously much more modern graphics, being a much later game. Maybe had the same team who worked on both games?

[boagman]

i dont see the similarity with Night Striker & Chase HQ TBH But i agree its a top game. I particularly buzz off the Zuntata soundtrack when i play it I am somewhat reminded of Night Striker however, when ive been playing Ray Tracers recently, i think its got a similar design looks-wise, but Ray Tracers has obviously much more modern graphics, being a much later game. Maybe had the same team who worked on both games?

Yeah...I would have *never* equated Night Striker as being anywhere close to a Chase HQ-ish game. Night Striker, though it's great and I love it, would be more akin to stuff like Space/Planet Harriers, and games like that. Are we opening up the thread topic to such games as well?

[gameoverDude]

Roadblasters, Roadblasters, and more Roadblasters! The Genesis ver is probably the best way to play it at home, taking into account control and everything. Super Chase in the arcade is also pretty decent, but maybe a bit messy. Road Rash on 3do/Saturn/PSX/etc is good too (best of series?)

Regarding RoadBlasters, the Global Arcade Classics cabinet is not the way to play it. You use the joystick and the car will not self center when you release it. I'd rather play the Genesis version (Only the voices are missing - shame Tengen didn't make it a 6 Meg cart instead of 4 so that the voices could've been kept) or MAME. I've tried Spy Hunter II - which comes off as a sad RB wannabe.

There needs to be a special Global Arcade Classics Racing Edition sitdown cab made for driving games.

Super Chase isn't "messy" IMO. The first-person view may put some off, but I still like it - actually more than the recent Chase HQ 2 which was developed by GameWax. Yack's BGM for it is amazing - esp. "Dandy Lady" from stage 1, and the track from the hilariously Engrish laden intro.