Checkered Flag (1994 video game)

Gameplay screenshot showing the player vehicle racing against an opponent on the Green Valley course

Checkered Flag is a three-dimensional Formula One racing game, similar to the Atari Lynx 1991 video game Checkered Flag and Virtua Racing, where the main goal is to finish a race ahead of other racers controlled by the computer.[1][2][3][4][5] The player can customize the vehicle's overall handling characteristics before a race.[1][2][3][4][6] The player can choose various weather conditions and adjust the number of laps.[2][3][5][6] By entering a cheat code at the options menu, players have access to a night weather condition.[7] During gameplay, the player can alternate between six different camera views.[1][2][3][6]

There are three different modes of play to choose from at the options screen: Single Race, Free Practice and Tournament.[2][4][5][6] Single Race is a race mode where players compete against computer-controlled opponents on any track and complete a number of laps.[2][4][6] Free Practice is a time trial mode, where players race against the clock to achieve the best time possible and practice their driving skills.[2][4][6] Tournament is a season mode where players compete against five opponents to reach the first place across ten different tracks.[2][4][6]

Checkered Flag was announced as one of the first Atari Jaguar titles, and went through various name changes prior to launch

Checkered Flag for the Atari Jaguar was created by Rebellion Developments, a Oxford-based game developer founded in 1992 by brothers Jason and Chris Kingsley.[8][9][10][11] Its foundation was laid when the brothers secured a deal with Atari Corporation; Rebellion presented a demo for Atari Falcon, which depicted flying dragons against longships to the publisher's directors, whom sought games for the Jaguar.[11][12][13] They were commissioned to work on Checkered Flag and Alien vs Predator after being impressed with their previous release, Eye of the Storm (1993) for PC.[11][14][15] It is a conversion of the 1991 Atari Lynx title Checkered Flag.[16][17][18]

It was produced by John Skruch, with Jason Kingsley serving as coordinator.[6][3] Robert Dibley acted as the game's programmer, while artist Justin Rae was responsible for the graphics.[3][14][15][19] The music was composed by Alex Quarmby, James Grunke, Nathan Brenholdt, and Will Davis.[6][3] Rebellion first began the project as a simulation racer but later evolved into a more action-oriented title.[20] Jason Kingsley described it as a homage to Virtua Racing, and stated that the lack of a two-player mode was due to Atari Corporation's commission to create a 3D single-player driving game.[20] GamePro writer Manny LaMancha reportedly pointed out that the game was developed under a low budget.[21]

The game was announced in 1993 as one of the first games for Atari Jaguar under the title Jaguar Formula One Racing.[22][23][24] It was advertised as a sequel to the 1991 Atari Lynx video game Checkered Flag, planning for a first quarter 1994 release date under the name Checkered Flag II.[20][24][25][26] The game was first revealed at the 1994 Winter Consumer Electronics Show.[27][28][29] It was previewed as Redline Racing before being renamed under its final title, Checkered Flag.[30][31][32] It made appearances at other events such as the 1994 Summer CES, the 1994 ECTS Autumn, and the London Planetarium.[33][34][35] Checkered Flag was first published in North America on November 1994, and later in Europe on December 1994.[1][16][36] It was distributed in Japan by retailer Messe Sanoh.[37] In 2008, the hobbyist community Jaguar Sector II released the game's source code in its Jaguar Source Code Collection.[38][39]

Checkered Flag for the Atari Jaguar received mixed reception from critics, all of whom compared it to Virtua Racing.[1][2][40] Computer and Video Games' Eddy Lawrence and Mark Patterson stated that the game was quite technically accomplished, but criticized the jerky frame rate and sluggish handling of the vehicle. They also saw the lack of a two-player mode as a major oversight.[1] GameFan's Dave Halverson and Nicholas Dean Des Barres commended the game's colorful smooth-shaded polygonal graphics and music, but faulted its touchy controls, absurd AI, and frustrating gameplay.[2] Joypad's Nini Nourdine gave positive remarks to the visuals, numerous circuits, and weather conditions, but the low number of opponents on the track, execrable handling of the vehicle, technical bugs, and lack of a two-player mode were criticized.[41]

Games World's four reviewers praised Checkered Flag on the Jaguar for its slick polygonal visuals and customizable vehicles. One of the four reviewers favored it over Virtua Racing for being more faster and having more tracks.[46] Mega Fun's Martin Weidner noted the game's fast graphics but lambasted its imprecise controls.[16] Player One's Christophe Pottier pointed out the steering controls as a gameplay issue and criticized the game's choppy frame rate.[43] Ultimate Future Games commended the game's variety of courses and viewpoints, but saw the bland visuals, sound effects, and gameplay as shortcomings.[51] MAN!AC's Robert Bannert highlighted the game's variety of options, but felt that the driving experience and graphics were below those of Virtua Racing.[3]

Next Generation highlighted the selection of tracks, weather conditions, and vehicle customization. However, they expressed that the game's blend of "celerity without control ensures many hours of frustrating gameplay".[42] Marc Abramson of the French ST Magazine commended the Gouraud-shaded visuals, but found the vehicle difficult to control.[49] VideoGames gave positive remarks to the game's soundscape, distinct tracks, and multiple viewpoints. Conversly, they faulted its graphics, awkward playability, poor frame rate, and lack of multiplayer mode.[17] GamePro's Sarah Nade singled-out the lack of a two-player mode as the game's biggest flaw, and Play Time's Stephan Girlich panned its imprecise controls.[48][52]

An editor of German publication ST-Computer gave the game's visuals positive remarks for their variety and depictions of the different weather conditions, but criticized its audio department, gameplay, controls, and unfair AI.[4] Video Games' Hartmut Ulrich lambased the gameplay for its sensitive controls, and opined that Virtua Racing Deluxe on 32X looked better than Checkered Flag on the Jaguar.[44] Última Generación's José Luis Sanz commended the game's colorful scenery, but faulted its rampant slowdown and abrupt controls.[50] Writing for the German magazine Jaguar, Daniel Jaeckel commended the game's fun factor, while Digital Press' Edward Villalpando criticized the audiovisual presentation and controls.[45][47] Internal documentation from Atari Corporation showed that the game had sold 20,257 copies by April 1, 1995.[53]

Retrospective commentary for Checkered Flag on the Jaguar has been equally mixed.[18][54][55] The Atari Times' Gregory D. George felt the game's visuals were better than Virtua Racing, but panned its controls.[54] Brett Daly of Jaguar Front Page News (a part of the GameSpy network) lauded the game's polygon graphics and audio, but criticized its touchy gameplay and lack of a save feature during tournament mode.[18] Author Andy Slaven commended the game's polygonal models and backgrounds, but wrote that the controls were a "complete wreck".[55] Nils Nils of German website neXGam found the game's visuals to be endearing but noted the lack of a two-player mode, and faulted its annoying controls and AI.[56]

• Checkered Flag at AtariAge
• Checkered Flag at MobyGames