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Activision's Enduro -Atari 2600
Retro Gaming Review
 |
| Title: | Enduro |
| Manufacturer: | Activision |
| Platform: | Atari 2600 |
| Release Date: | 1983 |
| Part #: | AX-026 |
| Rating: | 4 out of 5 |
| ESRB Rating: | N/A |
Rating: 
Activision's Enduro Screenshot:
Namco/Atari's Pole Position was all the rage in arcades with a steering wheel and pedal controls in both upright and cockpit configurations. With it's "real" billboards and landscape, Activision had it's work cut out to deliver an equally compelling game for the home market. Activision met the challenge with Enduro.
There were a few racers out there that featured a waving track that converged at the horizon, but activision took the racing concept to the endurance level. Their game was about passing 100 cars per "day", to enable the next day's race.
Enduro lacked the landscape and their cars were a bit blocky, although they scaled nicely, but the game really connects with players once you get into it's endurance progression.
Enduro's Story Arc
Strap on your goggles. Sink into your seat. And leave all your fears in the pit. You're about to enter the race of your life. You'll be required to pass lots of cars each day. Through sun and snow and fog and ice, sunrise to sunset - as fast as you can. Welcome to the National Enduro!
Holy shit! Check this out...
In 1983, Activision ran the "Enduro Race-For-Riches Sweepstakes" where the grand prize was a Datsun 280ZX car and a trip to Caesars Palace Grand Prix Weekend. If you raced for 5 days or more, a racing trophy would pop-up on your TV screen. If you photographed the screen, Activision would send you an "Activision Roadbuster" patch.
In 1983, Activision ran the "Enduro Race-For-Riches Sweepstakes" where the grand prize was a Datsun 280ZX car and a trip to Caesars Palace Grand Prix Weekend. If you raced for 5 days or more, a racing trophy would pop-up on your TV screen. If you photographed the screen, Activision would send you an "Activision Roadbuster" patch.
Enduro's Game Play
This single player game is easy to learn, but difficult to maintain over time. Your joystick controls left & right movement - pull back to hit the brakes. The fire button is your accelerator - hold it down to increase to maximum speed.
As you race along, you must pass 100 cars each day. The number of cars passed is displayed on screen. Activision used visual cues to let you know the approximate time. The day begins with blue skies and green grass. As time passes the night sky appears and you'll only see the other car's brake lights - which is a pretty cool effect. You'll also encounter some weather conditions that affect your visibility and steering control.
The difficulty switches do not seem to have an effect with enduro's game play. I believe the only increased to the game's difficulty comes by advancing in days as you endure the race.
If you meet the required 100 cars passed, and survive, the next day will increase the difficulty making passing harder.
True to form, Activision always credited each game's developer and often gave them a page of biographical info in their manuals.
For example: Larry Miller is a powerhouse game designer with a PhD in physics. When he isn't designing games, he may be sailing, skiing or playing the piano. His most recent hit was Spider Fighter.
If you like racers on Atari's 2600, Enduro is certainly one of the best. If you haven't tried it and have fond memories of Pole Position, get yourself a copy of Activision's Enduro!
Final Judgement:
Activision's Enduro
may seem similar to PolePosition, but it's endurance model will quickly separate it. Despite having slightly less attractive graphics, Enduro plays well and delivers a good racer. It's difficulty increases and the race never ends... it just gets harder!« Return to Retro Video Game Reviews
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