Grand Prix Simulator

by David Whittaker, James Wilson, Mervin James, Nigel Fletcher, Serge Dosang, The Oliver Twins
Code Masters Ltd
1987

Code Masters
£1.99
Reviewer: Tony Worrall

Cue Murray Walker impression - "And here comes the first contender in the highly controversial Grand Prix Formula One racing game stakes. Grand Prix Simulator, from the professional Code Masters team, takes the first corner and flies out in front narrowly missing the chicane. But the question on everyone's lips is will GPS make the flag, or is it really the pits?" That's enough impressions thank you very much!

This long-awaited race game that's been packing them in on the Amstrad, has now made it to the Speccy and it's not bad either. The idea is to power steer your tiny pixelated Formula One machine to three laps victory over the computer (or second) player. That done, you have the chance to battle it out on a new track with a more experienced and finely tuned opponent. No easy task.

Calling the game a 'simulator' is maybe stretching things a bit far. There is no chance to alter your car, you just have to drive it as fast and straight as you can. It skids and spins all over the place and often gets stuck in the barriers (unlike the 'bouncy' barriers in Super Sprint), bad news if you're behind!

As both cars look very similar picking your own out can be tricky, and the attribute clash doesn't help. But the excellent speech and addictiveness of play add brownie points to the value. Very similar to BMX Simulator in style and play, but then again that's no bad thing! Good value, good FX, good gameplay (good grief).

---

Graphics: 7/10
Playability: 7/10
Value For Money: 9/10
Addictiveness: 8/10
Overall: 7/10

Summary: The game that tries hard NOT to look like Super Sprint. Good racey fun but a bit too much like BMX Simulator for comfort.

Transcript by Chris Bourne