Overview

Released in 1997 and developed by Stainless Software, this game gained notoriety and a cult following for its unique and controversial gameplay. Players are thrust into a violent driving environment where the objective isn’t just to race, but to engage in vehicular combat, causing destruction and mayhem along the way.

Gameplay

The game offers players several paths to victory in each level: completing all laps of a race, destroying all opponent vehicles, or eliminating a set number of pedestrians. The player’s score bonuses and time extensions depend heavily on the latter option, which proved to be a substantial departure from traditional racing games of the era.

Controversies

The game’s release was met with significant controversy due to its graphic violence and the ability to earn rewards for running over pedestrians. This resulted in bans in multiple countries or modifications to the content; for example, some versions replaced human pedestrians with zombies or robots.

Development and Legacy

Stainless Software, relatively unknown at the time, was thrust into the spotlight with the release. Despite the controversies, it was a commercial success and spawned several sequels and remakes across various platforms. The title is often remembered as a trailblazer for its bold approach to violent content in video games, highlighting the industry’s move towards more mature themes during the late 1990s.