Software:Andretti Racing

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This page is about the 1996 videogame. For the race team, see Andretti Autosport.
Short description: 1996 video game
Andretti Racing
North American box art
Developer(s)High Score Productions
Stormfront Studios
Press Start Inc. (Saturn)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
Platform(s)PlayStation
Sega Saturn
Microsoft Windows
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: 6 September 1996[1]
  • EU: October 1996
Saturn
Windows
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Andretti Racing is a racing video game developed by High Score Productions and Stormfront Studios and published by EA Sports for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996, and for Windows in 1997. The game's title refers to professional racing drivers Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti.

Gameplay

Screenshot of Andretti Racing on Sega Saturn

The PlayStation version also allows split screen multiplayer with up to four players using the Link Cable, the first game allowing up to four humans to play using that cable.[5]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPSSaturn
CGSPStarStarHalf star[8]N/AN/A
CGWStarStarStar[9]N/AN/A
EdgeN/A7/10[10]N/A
EGMN/A7.75/10[11]8.75/10[12]
FamitsuN/A22/40[13]N/A
Game InformerN/A8.75/10[14]8.75/10[15]
GameRevolutionN/AB+[16]N/A
GameSpot7.3/10[17]6.6/10[18]N/A
IGNN/A8/10[19]8/10[20]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[21]StarStarStarStar[22]N/A
PC Gamer (US)84%[23]N/AN/A
PC Zone73%[24]N/AN/A
Sega Saturn MagazineN/AN/A83%[25]

The PC and Saturn versions received favorable reviews, while the PlayStation version received mixed reviews. Game Informer gave the PlayStation version a very favorable review, about two months before it was released Stateside.[14] In Japan, where the same PlayStation version was ported and published by Electronic Arts Victor on 28 March 1997, Famitsu gave it a score of 22 out of 40.[13]

Reviewing the PlayStation version in an early review, the two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the accurate racing, four-player compatibility, animation, and controls.[11] Air Hendrix wrote in GamePro that the graphics are below-average for the PlayStation and the game lacks a good sense of speed, but the outstanding controls and "enjoyably deep, addictive gameplay that challenges far more than your twitch steering skills" outweigh these flaws.[26][lower-alpha 1] A reviewer for Next Generation was more pleased with the graphics, commenting that "Andretti Racing doesn't match the richness and detail of Psygnosis's Formula 1, but it can be considered one of the better looking racing games in recent memory. A challenging computer AI, well-balanced control system, and two-player split-screen mode round out this deep title." He also praised it for having far more tracks and replay value than the arcade ports which were then the staple of console racing games.[22]

Johnny Ballgame of GamePro compared the graphics of the Saturn version unfavorably to both the PlayStation version and contemporary Saturn racer Software:Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition, but found that the responsive controls, wide selection of tracks, numerous features, and realistic sounds made the game extremely fun to play. He concluded, "Saturn owners who are looking to buy one racing game this year, look no further."[27][lower-alpha 2] Lee Nutter of Sega Saturn Magazine also found the large number of tracks and features impressive, but described the track designs as "dull and indistinguishable from one another." Additionally criticizing the weak sense of speed, occasional graphic glitches, lack of detail in the cars, and poor PAL conversion, he concluded that "Andretti Racing does remain very playable with the various options and huge amount of tracks providing a very lengthy challenge but it seems to be a victory for quantity over quality."[25] Electronic Gaming Monthly's sports reviewers found the graphics of the Saturn version to be unexceptional but solid, and highly praised the numerous options, licensing, responsive controls, and overall realism. Dean Hager went so far as to call it "the best true 32-bit racing simulation on the market."[12]

Next Generation said of the PC version, "If you're looking for strict realism, stick with the Papyrus line of racers. Otherwise, Andretti Racing is a well-designed, extremely fun racing game that skirts the line between arcade and sim."[21]

The same PC version was nominated for the "Best Sim Game" award at the CNET Gamecenter Awards for 1997, which went to Jane's Longbow 2.[28]

The game sold more than 200,000 copies.[29]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3.5/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, 5/5 for control, and 4.5/5 for fun factor.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the Saturn version 3/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "Electronic Arts - News Room, Electronic Arts Blasts Onto the 32-bit Track with Andretti Racing for the PlayStation". http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/eaandretti.html. 
  2. ↑ Computer and Video Games - Issue 184 (1997-03)(EMAP Images)(GB). March 1997. https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_184_1997-03_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n52/mode/1up. 
  3. ↑ "sega-saturn.com - software". 1997-01-01. http://sega-saturn.com/software.htm. 
  4. ↑ "Electronic Arts Ships Andretti Racing for the PC". 1998-02-07. http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/andrettipc_ships.html. 
  5. ↑ "ANDRETTI RACING - (NTSC-U)". https://psxdatacenter.com/games/U/A/SLUS-00264.html. 
  6. ↑ Goble, Gordon (25 November 1997). "Andretti Racing (PC)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1327,00.html. 
  7. ↑ Mahood, Andy (1996). "Andretti Racing (Saturn)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sega/Andretti/. 
  8. ↑ Royal, Tim (1997). "Andretti Racing". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/152/andretti_racing_review.html. 
  9. ↑ May, Scott A. (May 1998). "Wheel Life (Andretti Racing Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (166): 184. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_166.pdf. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  10. ↑ Edge staff (October 1996). "Andretti Racing (PS)". Future Publishing. p. 90. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/87/Edge_UK_037.pdf. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mowatt, Todd; Perez, Dindo (October 1996). "Andretti Racing (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (87): 178. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean (May 1997). "Andretti Racing (Saturn)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (94): 116. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "アンドレッティ・レーシング [PS"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=16645&redirect=no. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 McNamara, Andy; Anderson, Jon; Storm, Jon (October 1996). "Andretti Racing (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (42). http://www.gameinformer.com/oct96/andreti.htm. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  15. ↑ "Andretti Racing - Saturn". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (48). April 1997. http://www.gameinformer.com/apr97/andretti.html. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  16. ↑ Cope, Jamie (October 1996). "Andretti Racing Review (PS)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/35795-andretti-racing-review. 
  17. ↑ Poole, Stephen (12 January 1998). "Andretti Racing Review (PC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/andretti-racing-review/1900-2537964/. Retrieved 13 November 2017. 
  18. ↑ Gardner, Chris (1 December 1996). "Andretti Racing Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/andretti-racing-review/1900-2546562/. 
  19. ↑ Rignall, Julian "Jaz" (21 November 1996). "Andretti Racing (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/22/andretti-racing-2. 
  20. ↑ IGN staff (2 January 1998). "Andretti Racing Review (Saturn)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/02/andretti-racing. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Andretti Racing (PC)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (39): 113. March 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_39/page/n115/mode/2up. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Andretti Racing (PS)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (25): 170. January 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_25/page/n171/mode/2up. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  23. ↑ Smolka, Rob (March 1998). "Andretti Racing". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 5 (3). http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1203.html. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  24. ↑ Shoemaker, Richie (February 1998). "Andretti Racing". PC Zone (Dennis Publishing) (60): 92. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_60_February_1998/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2021. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Nutter, Lee (March 1997). "Review: Andretti Racing". Sega Saturn Magazine (EMAP) (17): 72–73. https://archive.org/details/Sega_Saturn_Magazine_Issue_17_1997-03_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n71/mode/2up. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  26. ↑ Air Hendrix (November 1996). "White-Knuckle Andretti Racing Screeches onto the PlayStation". GamePro (IDG) (98): 142. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_088_November_1996/page/n141/mode/2up. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  27. ↑ Johnny Ballgame (February 1997). "Andretti Racing (Saturn)". GamePro (IDG) (101): 90. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_101_Volume_09_Number_02_1997-02_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n91/mode/2up. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  28. ↑ Gamecenter staff (28 January 1998). "The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Sims)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss09.html. 
  29. ↑ Konrad, Rachel (18 October 1996). "Sponsors can play, too". p. 1. https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/126194902/. Retrieved 16 June 2023. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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