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Monaco
GP is what you'd call a milestone. It hit like a bomb when it was released in late
1979 - most people were still getting adjusted
to games in colour, let alone anything this fast. The breathtaking pace, clever layout
and smooth controls set a massive benchmark for the genre, causing hundreds of imitators to appear for years.
The game involves using a steering wheel,
accelerator pedal, gear shift and 'jump'
button to navigate your racing car up screen as fast as
possible through busy roads, chicanes, bottlenecks and ravines.
The sheer pace and chaos of the game make for a phenomenally engrossing and almost hypnotising experience. Make no mistake: Monaco GP is a masterpiece of early 80s racing games.
Sadly, after being replaced by its successful follow-up Turbo (1981) the game faded into relative obscurity. The cabinet's oddball LCD score display made it impossible to emulate for years - it wouldn't be until 1997 that an accurate home version would appear, in the excellent Sega Ages 'Memorial Selection Vol.2' for the Sega Saturn.
SG-1000 |
The game was converted onto the SG-1000 in 1983 (above), but in rather drab form.
The speed is still there, but with only one opponent car on-screen the chaotic feel of the arcade is lost. It does remain a perfectly decent home game by 1983 standards, and further proof of how pioneering
the arcade was for its time.
Sega would again return to Monte Carlo in Super
Monaco GP (1989), a loud and graphic-heavy
tribute that would go on to make quite
a name for itself on its own terms. |
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In
2003, Monaco GP was unexpectedly given a new
lease of life in the form of a '3D Ages' remake
for the Sega
Ages 2500 series.
The budget-priced release
includes a 'Classic' mode inspired by the original
(slightly hampered by some erratic driving on
behalf of the opponent cars) and a far more entertaining
'Original' mode - here the cars storm around closed
circuits taking instant 45 and 90 turns, executed
with the controller's shoulder
buttons. Various item boxes are placed along the
track, along with long trails of small golden stars
- continuously collecting these will
slowly increase the top speed of your car. The
more of these stars you 'combo', the faster the
game gets. It just keeps on getting faster, faster
and faster, until... bang.
The game's simple presentation, breathtaking speed
(reminiscent of F1
Circus), punk-funk soundtrack, multiple cars,
tracks and power-ups make for an excellent 'retro'
package - but then you have the excellent multi player
mode.
If it's old-school 4P split-screen action
that you're after, then the PS2 Monaco GP
is an unsung gem.
It's all here: dirty tricks, close-call cornering,
precision overtaking... It's an excellent 4-player
experience, reminiscent of a time when the concept
of 'multi player gaming' involved a group of people
having a good time, together in the same room. |
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DETAILS
| Format |
SG-1000 |
| Released |
1983 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
G-1017 |
| Size
(cm) |
13 x 18.3 x 2.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.12 |
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The
SG-1000 version of Monaco
GP was a great laugh in its day.
Fast, furious and ruthlessly tough; one of the best SG-1000 games out there!
Large-size
SG-1000 packaging,
40Kb cartridge, monochrome
booklet. |
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Monaco
GP
モナコ GP
SG-1000 MY CARD |
DETAILS
| Format |
SG-1000 |
| Released |
1985 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
C-17 |
| Size
(cm) |
14
x 10 x 1.2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.06 |
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Re-issue
of the SG-1000 Monaco
GP for the 'Sega My Card'
format.
Standard My Card packaging,
40KB card, monochrome booklet. |
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Memorial
Selection Vol.2
メモリアルセレクション
Vol.2
SEGA SATURN |
DETAILS
| Format |
Sega
Saturn |
| Released |
27
Nov 1997 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
GS-9163 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Monaco
GP
モナコ GP
SEGA AGES 2500 SERIES Vol.2 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
2 |
| Released |
28
Aug 2003 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
SLPM-62364 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.18 |
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Surprisingly
fun update of the arcade classic
for the Sega
Ages 2500 series, complete
with an excellent 4-player
'Versus' game. Fast, mean,
full of dirty tricks - this
one's really worth a try.
PS2 case, PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM
disc, 10-page colour booklet,
'Sega Ages 2500' file card. |
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'Monaco
GP', 'SG-1000', 'Sega Saturn' and 'Sega' are registered trademarks
of Sega Corporation
'PlayStation' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
Monaco GP TM & © 1979 Sega All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2008 www.Jap-Sai.com |
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