Hard Drivin ZX Spectrum

Description

Hard Drivin ZX Spectrum

• Vector graphics: The Spectrum version uses solid vector graphics for its 3D track, a technical feat for the hardware, though it resulted in a notably slow and jerky frame rate compared to the arcade original. The palette is limited to blue, black, and white, similar to the Mega Drive version.
• Difficult controls: Critics and players frequently note the game’s awkward controls on the Spectrum. Using a joystick could make it difficult to steer and stay on the track.
• Track modes: The game offered two main modes:
  • Speed Course: A circuit with gentle curves and banked turns designed for high-speed driving.
  • Stunt Track: An implausible course featuring a loop-de-loop and a jumpable drawbridge.
• Phantom Photon: On the stunt course, if a player completes the track within a time limit (1 minute and 40 seconds), they could race against a ghostly competitor known as the “Phantom Photon”.
• Instant replay: The game included a feature allowing players to view an instant replay of their run. 

• Despite its limitations, the Spectrum version received some positive reviews upon release, earning “Crash Smash” and “Your Sinclair Megagame” awards for its ambition.
• Reviewers at the time acknowledged the game was a great feat of programming, even if the result was a bit jerky.
• In a retrospective YouTube comparison, the Spectrum version was considered better than the Commodore 64 port but not as good as the more powerful Mega Drive conversion.