Powerdrome

Powerdrome is a futuristic racing game by Michael Powell. Players race jet-engined, anti-gravity bikes called 'blades' around closed tracks; in a manner followed by games such as F-Zero and Wipeout.

Original
Powerdrome was released on the Atari ST by Electronic Arts in 1988 and includes six tracks, set across five planets. The road-equivalent turning method of yaw is not present, meaning a right turn is achieved by rolling to the right and pitching up. Control is very sensitive but allows use of the mouse for greater accuracy. Gameplay is complicated by the need to equip gas filters to cope with each planet's atmosphere and weather, with further choices to be made over types of fuel.

Control was improved for the Amiga release in 1989 and an extra track made available. A version on the PC in 1990 was soon followed by a re-release on all formats.

Update
The update, sometimes marketed as Power Drome, was released 16 years later for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC by Argonaut Software, for whom Powell was Studio Head. Venues for racing still only number six, but reverse and mirrored courses bring the total of unique routes to 24. The previous version's customisation was completely dropped in favour of a focus on racing skill.

Released as a budget game, Powerdrome received good reviews, with a few remembering the original and its influence on the futuristic racing genre. All were impressed with the smooth sensation of speed and detailed environments, although the music was considered lacklustre and the pilot's voices annoying.