Test Drive series

Test Drive helped create a sub-genre in racing games, where the goal was to outrun and evade police, a concept that was successfully copied over into the Need for Speed franchise. It was first released for DOS, C64 and Atari ST in 1987, and in 1988, an Apple II and Amiga 500 version was released.

In this original title, the player chooses between a Testarossa, Esprit Turbo, 911 Turbo, Countach or Corvette C4, and must race up a narrow mountain highway, avoiding oncoming traffic, police, and the cliffs. The graphics were impressive in their time, with the Atari ST and Amiga 500 versions standing out above the rest. This game sold 500,000 copies on the PC.

Also on Commodore 64: Atari ST: Amiga 500:

In the 1989 sequel to Test Drive, not only do you have to avoid traffic and police, you must also beat an opponent to the finish line. And with the first Test Drive only feature rocky cliffs, the second installment had many different types of scenery. Only two cars were available in Test Drive II: Ferrari F40 or Porsche 959, but many more were added as add-ons.

Also on Commodore 64: Atari ST: Amiga 500:

This compilation includes Test Drive II along with all of its four add-ons: Musclecars, Supercars, California Challenge, and European Challenge.

Released in 1990, the next Test Drive game was the first in the series to feature true 3D environment and VGA (256 color) graphics, albeit with simple textures and objects. In TD3, you raced across five California sections, each with multiple ways to reach your destination. In addition, the player could drive off-road anywhere, as long as they didn't crash. Also added were rain and snow weather effects, hills, traffic lights, ponds and rivers. Three cars were available to drive; two prototype cars, and the Lamborghini Diablo. Another unique feature of this game was in-car radio stations, re-introduced into games many years later in GTAIII.

But despite all its improvements and open-ended feel, it was critically bashed for unrealistic and uncontrollable driving experience, mostly because the game didn't adjust to speed of the processor (faster systems made the game unplayable).

Unlike Test Drive II, TD3 only had one add-on. Road & Car added two extra vehicles (Acura NSX and Doge Stealth RT Turbo) as well as a New Englad road course, Cape Cod to Niagara Falls.

Released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis and SNES, the console version of Test Drive II featured one extra car (Lamborghini Diablo) and four separate courses.

Released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis and SNES, the console version of Test Drive II featured one extra car (Lamborghini Diablo) and four separate courses.