Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Vette!

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Developer(s)
  
Sphere

Release
  
NA: 1989

Publisher(s)
  
Spectrum HoloByte

Genre(s)
  
Racing

Platform(s)
  
DOS Apple Macintosh NEC PC-9801

Mode(s)
  
Single-player Two-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:

  • Car damage that affected the car's engine and handling
  • Full control over the game's camera views, including interior cam with full working dashboard
  • The presence and interaction of law enforcement, in which you get pulled over and must give an excuse as to your erratic driving
  • The ability to drive anywhere within the accurately modeled city, including highways, tunnels, and bridges
  • Pulling over at the various gas stations was the only way to repair your car
  • This game had Grand Theft Auto qualities because the player is able to run people over

    • 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".

    References

    Vette! Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA