Power Drift thread!

[louisg]

OK, if there is ever a game I'm nostalgic for and which doesn't live up to the memories, it's Power Drift. It's got amazing graphics, a cab that tilts something stupid like 40 degrees to each side, and I probably have to credit it as being the first full 3d go-karting game. Plus the tracks are *insane*.

But, the gameplay is really pretty mediocre. The steering is really wacky, and seems to nudge you along the track (like an oldschool not-3d racing game). And each time I try it, I just wish there was more to it. Somehow even though this and OutRun are both shallow games, OutRun seems to have stood the test of time and Power Drift maybe hasn't. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I should be playing Stunt Car Racer instead ..

Anyone else have an opinion on this one?

EDIT: BTW, anyone have any experience with the Saturn version? How do the controls (d-pad) stack up to the DC version?

[GaijinPunch]

DC Version is one of the biggest slaps in the face: no control config for any of the games.

[louisg]

DC Version is one of the biggest slaps in the face: no control config for any of the games.

Yeah, that entire collection was really junky. All the games were Shenmue edition. :/ I guess the biggest draw was the book and the disc was just a bonus.

[BrianC]

I like what I played of it quite a bit. I finally found a place with a Power Drift cabinet. It had lines in the graphics and needed repair, but it was still playable and a blast to play.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

I only played the speccy version as a kid, but it was my fave racer on the system next to chase HQ

[louisg]

I only played the speccy version as a kid, but it was my fave racer on the system next to chase HQ

Wow, that really looks good! If the Spectrum had an edge over the C64, it was in its driving game graphics. This is the one that Power Drift reminds me of that I mentioned in my first post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7c0ckYBnC0 .. a must-play imo

[D]

ZX Power Drift, wow, missed that one. Played Chase HQ alot on the ZX.
DC Game works was the first time I played Power Drift. That´s strange, I can´t find the game on gamefaqs, wtf!
Cons: Annoying sound effects and speech. Yet it is a very impressive game. I wish Sega would´ve made a Power Drift 2. Let´s do a petition
Rad Mobile seems to do a similar road effect

Also released on Saturn as Gale Racer.

SS Power drift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBnVAIX8 ... re=related Watch at the 05:30 mark. WTF!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWT0U2cF ... re=related Again Watch at the 05:30 mark. WTF!
SST band, awesome rock. goosebumps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfb8rNwt ... re=related
How would you like to be so rich and having a huge arcade and these guys playing in your arcade.

[louisg]

Yeah, RadMobile is a great game! It's like an arcade version of Test Drive, but a lot better. It's a shame the Saturn port was so horrible.

So, I got a copy of Power Drift for Saturn in the mail. It's a lot nicer than the DC release, and has an arrange soundtrack and some extra gameplay modes such as the Grand Prix mode (and difficulty settings!)

But the Grand Prix mode is a bit half assed-- you can place up to 5th (instead of to 3rd), but it still has those huge 1st 2nd 3rd graphics as people pass the finish. That means if you're lagging, you won't be able to see where the hell you're going!

The controls options are good, but it doesn't totally alleviate the being-pulled-along-the-track feeling. I guess they did this to make collision detection easier (you're 'attached' to the track to some degree), but it seems like all the steering is relative to the track's angle. For example, left and right slide you along the track left and right (90 degrees to where the track's facing), and then on curves, you slowly slide off if you don't steer well. It feels more out of place here than it does in a freeway game like Outrun just because the thing is full 3d and the track has so many little twists and turns that it makes it a little hard to predict how your car's going to react in a curve. I think this is the only 3d racing game that does this..?

[1up]

Used to play power drift All the time ón c64. Never seen the arcade version but foule imagine tht the controls ón mame would be wack witout a steering wheel

[D]

You can get a steering to use in mame.
I tried several games like Outrunners. But is is such a hassle to set up.
After a while I just give up perfecting it.

[louisg]

Do you think Power Drift is an influence on Mario Kart? It's not only a kart racer, but it does a few things that were uncommon at the time: first, you have to come in third or better. There are also several cups to choose from, each consisting of 5 different races. In other games back then, it was either a race straight through a course (outrun) or you would just race a course at a time (simulation). Even in the case of sims that would let you challenge a series of races, one "game" worth was usually a single race (if you think of gameplay in terms of servings )

Then, it has a fairly heavy emphasis on characters. This is basically the first mascot racer: All of the characters are displayed on the top of the screen, and you can see who comes in not just in the top three, but in the last few places too. All of the different racers have names (shown during the intro), and when one character passes another, they make a gesture and say something (again, like in Mario Kart). Unfortunately, the voice samples aren't unique to the character, and you only choose your character by picking a cup.

The final point is pretty tenuous, but both the games exploit the fact that they are using a full 3d engine by adding track features such as jumps over other parts of the course. I suppose in MK's case, it was the only way to create criss-crossing paths, so maybe that's not a good point.

[neorichieb1971]

Neorichieb1971 Alert.

Saturn (control option C)

Use gear shift toggle on shoulder button to rapidly slow down and speed up on sharp turns.

Makes the game so much more fun

[louisg]

Neorichieb1971 Alert.

Saturn (control option C)

Use gear shift toggle on shoulder button to rapidly slow down and speed up on sharp turns.

Makes the game so much more fun

Yeah, that might be a necessity. Do you ever use the break, or is the gearshift enough to take sharp turns?

[neorichieb1971]

Never use the brake at all. Never take the foot off the pedal either.

I just feel that with option C you don't have to faff around with your fingers that much. Its not that often you get much time to react in that game. I'm not sure if its the Saturn version but the dark blue stage on E (I think), one bump and you come 2nd.. Its nigh on ridiculous.

[louisg]

Never use the brake at all. Never take the foot off the pedal either.

I just feel that with option C you don't have to faff around with your fingers that much. Its not that often you get much time to react in that game. I'm not sure if its the Saturn version but the dark blue stage on E (I think), one bump and you come 2nd.. Its nigh on ridiculous.

Yeah, I'm not sure OutRun is a lot different on normal and higher difficulties. I swear I've done everything pretty much right in OutRun, but will crash once, and won't be able to clear st5. I'm OK with getting 1st on every track being reserved for perfectionists in Power Drift though-- that kind of makes sense.

[Strider77]

From what I understand Power Drift is like the Galaxy Force 2 port on saturn... running at a choppy 30 FPS?

[louisg]

From what I understand Power Drift is like the Galaxy Force 2 port on saturn... running at a choppy 30 FPS?

It's 30 but it's definitely not choppy-- it's very consistent. The GF2 port is 30, but then has slowdown on top of it, which is a complete drag. I think the DC version of PD is 60, but then it seems like such a rush job. But for PD, I'd really take the framerate hit for the extra soundtrack and options the Saturn rev has. For GF2, the PS2 rev is the way to go imo (awesome port)

Neorichie, have you beaten it using that no-breaks gear flipping technique?

[gameoverDude]

I've used the rapid H-L flipping and beaten all 5 courses with 6 first-place finishes.

Youtube has some vids of the Amiga Power Drift. This version isn't so good- it's a choppy mess with confusing graphics. The gapping you see in some of the track tiles doesn't help, and the framerate really hurts on sharp turns. It's got a really twangy rendition of the BGM, and unfortunately the tune starts over when you finish a track. The surprisingly good Commodore 64 version runs smoother TBH. Shame Sega didn't hire Chris Butler to program a Master System/Mark III version.
Amiga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5wSSR27MjY
C64 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLdRK8pTnCg&NR=1

[Drum]

Does Power Drift actually have power drifting? I am not sure what power drifting is, exactly. I mean, are the turning mechanics really any different than the ones in previous racers?

[GaijinPunch]

Have you ever played a Japanese-titled game?

[Drum]

no

[Drum]

I mean ... what?

I don't understand.

:(

[Drum]

Pretend I'm dumb and explain.

[Drum]

Or try to look like you are pretending.

[Drum]

Okay, I looked up drifting and I guess the answer is no. I knew intuitively what it was in general - I mean I've done it in games and stuff - but I guess I was having difficulty formalising the action in my head and was wondering what counts and what doesn't. And Power Drift doesn't! It is weird that Power Drift doesn't have power drifting in it. So I guess Mario Kart is the first game with drifting? Ok. Weird.

EDIT: oh god i am such a shit poster

[GaijinPunch]

Look up the edit button next.

[Marc]

C64 and Speccy versions were awesome conversions for their time. Watch closely though and you'll notice on C64 that opponents appear on alternate sides of the course without fail. PCE was a brave attempt, and I actually quite like the DC version - I'm sure I remember the Saturn version being quite choppy, but it's a long time since I owned it.

[louisg]

C64 and Speccy versions were awesome conversions for their time. Watch closely though and you'll notice on C64 that opponents appear on alternate sides of the course without fail. PCE was a brave attempt, and I actually quite like the DC version - I'm sure I remember the Saturn version being quite choppy, but it's a long time since I owned it.

The Saturn one IIRC runs at a solid 30 instead of 60 on the DC. But, it controls really well. Yeah, the C64 version is pretty good, but it's way too easy. Have you seen the Amiga version? It doesn't play well, but what I thought was interesting is that the 3d was preserved unlike all the other older ports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqWVynP5RSk

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yeah, the DC version of Power Drift runs at 60fps. Pretty slick insider nod with your cart transforming into a F-14 (from Afterburner) on the very last stage.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[parallaxscrolling]

From what I understand Power Drift is like the Galaxy Force 2 port on saturn... running at a choppy 30 FPS?

Well, as already they're both 30fps or there abouts. Power Drift has a consistant framerate, but Galaxy Force II is a mess.


Arcade versions ran at 60fps.

The PS2 in Japan got a 60fps Galaxy Force II with, I think, options for touched up visuals.