Racing
games usually seem to please both new and veteran gamers alike, and Sprint
Master is no exception. Competing against a human or computer opponent,
select one of nine tracks to race. Tracks include hairpin turns, straight-aways,
overpasses, shortcuts with gates which open & shut, or any combination of
these features. Choose the # of laps (1-50) and whether your car will bounce or
crash into obstacles. Also select high or low traction, and terrain types
blacktop, dirt, or ice.
When racing, drive over blue boxes for extra traction or red boxes for a burst of speed. Avoid tar slicks and wall collisions. You can attempt shortcuts over grass, but there's a good chance you'll hit an invisible barrier.
What makes this cart unique in comparison to the other 2600 racing games is the many options which are available. It's an addictive two-player challenge even for veteran players. What this cart lacks is decent graphics, with the entire track displayed on only one screen. The objects you control barely resemble cars, while the special items you pick up are only squares.
Another complaint I have concerns the overpasses. If you crash under one,
much time is consumed as you have to figure out which direction your car is
pointing, most likely resulting in a terrible score. Overall, this game provides
a nice challenge and is surely one of the better sports games available for this
system.
TIP: Some of the tracks allow you to "shortcut" through the walls. Experiment with each one as it could shave plenty of time from your race.
