Indianapolis 500: The Simulation
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Power Game II
(1993) - Sports Collection (1992)
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Sports Masters
(1992)
Description official descriptions
The famous Indianapolis 500 Mile race, held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the Memorial Day weekend, is one of the most famous automobile racing events in North America. The event is simulated here using 3D polygon graphics to recreate the 33 cars in the race. Players are able to choose their car and customize it with a variety of options. Modifications include wing down-force, tire pressures, wheel stagger (making the right-side wheels larger, to compensate for the banked corners) and turbo output (which provides boost, but stresses the engine and uses more fuel).
After qualifying (by performing during four laps and taking the average), players can race over 10, 30, 60 or the full 200 laps. Lower modes remove car damage and the 'full-course yellow' system, the absence of these can make for repeat carnage including traffic collisions and huge pile-ups.
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Credits (DOS version)
17 People
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 83% (based on 21 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.6 out of 5 (based on 62 ratings with 2 reviews)
The Good
A technical prodigy for the era in which was made. An era in which the Berlin wall had still not fell, when the Soviet Union still existed, when Mandela hadn't still been freed, etc. And to move all that graphics, all that cars while at the same time being so smooth, it is something that one must commend.
The Bad
If there is something bad (it is not) I will say that is the total lack of variety regarding tracks or circuits. Only Indianapolis in its 500 miles fashion. But the brickyard is more than enough, precisely because this is what this game is for, to reproduce with the maximum accuracy the mentioned race. And it is something that it does very well.
The Bottom Line
A late eighties must-have
DOS · by Carles Carlos (23) · 2022
A solid performer and faithful simulation.
The Good
Indy 500's graphics are simply stunning considering the system requirements. You cannot find a PC that won't run this game well. The sound is also quite good; if you have an Adlib or Sound Blaster, the engine sounds are amazingly realistic.
That's not to say Indy 500 is an arcade game--when it says "simulation", it means it. You can adjust your spoiler, outer and inner tire pressure, and even the amount of fuel you have in your tank to shave precious seconds off of your lap. Also, the physics are true to life: If you enter a corner too fast, centrifugal force pushes you to the outside of the track, tires squealing.
The Bad
The manual doesn't explain the various customization parameters very well for people new to Formula-1 racing. I know that less fuel in the tank means that the car is lighter, for example, but an explanation of what spoiler drag and tire pressure do for your car would have been helpful.
The Bottom Line
An excellent simulation, on any PC.
DOS · by Trixter (8952) · 2000
Trivia
Milk
One of the traditions of the Indy 500 race, incorporated into the game, sees the winner swigging a triumphant bottle of milk in Victory Lane. In 1993 Emerson Fitipaldi (who also won the 1989 race the game is based around) infamously consumed orange juice instead - not for dietary or ethical reasons, but to promote his ownership of several orange groves in Brazil. He was ridiculed and booed for this, particularly at the next IndyCar race at the Milwaukee Mile in the prime dairy-producing state of Wisconsin, and. remains the only driver since 1955 not to celebrate with milk.
Simulation
Many consider this the first auto racing simulation based on realistic driving behaviour, but REVS (1986), developed by Geoff Crammond, already introduced this in a game.
Awards
- ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment)
- February 1991 (issue #41) - Included in the list Greatest Games of all Time, section Racing Games (editorial staff choice)
- Amiga Power
- May 1991 (Issue #00) - #9 in the "All Time Top 100 Amiga Games"
- Computer Gaming World
- November 1996 (15th anniversary issue) – #122 in the “150 Best Games of All Time” list
Information also contributed by Sciere
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Related Sites +
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IGCD Internet Game Cars Database
Game page on IGCD, a database that tries to archive vehicles found in video games.
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Trixter.
Amiga added by Terok Nor.
Additional contributors: Terok Nor, Martin Smith, Patrick Bregger, Victor Vance, Jo ST.
Game added March 1, 1999. Last modified October 2, 2024.