Developer(s) Sphere Release NA: 1989 | Genre(s) Racing | |
Platform(s) DOSApple MacintoshNEC PC-9801 Mode(s) Single-playerTwo-player (null-modem for MS-DOS, AppleTalk for Macintosh) | ||
Vette! is a 1989 racing video game where the object is racing a Chevrolet Corvette through the streets of San Francisco. The game was notable for its (at the time) detailed un-shaded polygon rendering of San Francisco streets. It was released on three floppy disks with a Black & White or Color version available. It was also released with a large instruction manual that gave detailed specs about the cars and details about various areas in the city. At the beginning of the game, a question from the manual requires a correct answer to prove game ownership. If the question is falsely answered, the game can be played for a limited time before a window popped up claiming, "You are Driving a Stolen Vette" and the game crashes.
Contents
Ahead of its time
The game featured a completely 3D rendered San Francisco, with many famous landmarks visible in the game including the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and Lombard Street, known as the "Crookedest Street In The U.S." by locals. The game gave players freedom that was not seen in games before, and for many years after, Vette!'s release. There were also many features that were unheard of in 1989, including:
Cops
Driving erratically can attract the attention of a nearby cop to give chase. Then getting pulled over there are 8 excuses to choose from unless charged for vehicular homicide, by running over at least 1 pedestrian during the chase, or within close proximity of a cop.
Reception
Compute! favorably reviewed the game, describing it as "Falcon AT on the ground". It praised the game's detail and EGA graphics, only criticizing the lack of sound card support, and concluded that "Vette! surpasses other driving simulations in its scope and realism".