Zzap


Super Hang-On
By Electric Dreams
Amiga 500

 
Published in Zzap #48

Zzap Sizzler

Super Hang-On

A few years ago, a strange machine began to appear in arcades across the country. It consisted of a monitor in the front of a red replica of a racing bike. You were supposed to sit on the bike and lean sideways to steer round the corners. That was Hang-On.

Later, a whole new breed of 'moving' race games began to spring up, so Sega came up with another machine - Super Hang-On. This took the original, improved the graphics and sound, added new stages and tunes and gave players a different bike to sit on.

Some proclaimed that the new version was the best racing game ever, "even better than OutRun" (I wonder where that one came from...!) so naturally there had to be a conversion...

Super Hang-On

And, this is it, folks. First off, you can pick mouse or joystick (you can even adjust their sensitivity). Next comes a choice of circuit (Six stages in Africa, 10 in Asia, 14 in America and 18 in Europe) followed by a selection of one of four tunes or sound effects. After all that, it's off to the starting grid...

You've got a single-gear racing bike with the option of a nitro-injected turbo boost for that added Vroooom, to help you get past those troublesome riders that slow you down and cause you to veer off-course when hit.

To win a race, you've got to finish the stages within the time limit - otherwise, it's back to the pits for you, Barry.

Gordo

Super Hang-On

The 3D effect of Super Hang-On makes me feel as though my fair should be blown back by the breeze as I play it.

This is its major strength and, let's face it, it's the one that really counts. The power of the Amiga has been used very well, allowing large sprites to be displayed and animated very quickly to give a very accurate rendition of the arcade original.

The only thing I'm disappointed with is the sound. The motorbike just drones and the tunes are... well, poor. Still, it's a great conversion and a brilliant game in its own right. Now where's me heavy biker boots...

Maff

Super Hang-On

I was a great fan of the original Hang-On in the arcades and the few games that I had os Super Hang-On were equally enjoyable. Electric Dreams have done a great job on the conversion, from the large detailed bike sprites to the fast and effective 3D.

The feel of the controls seems to have been nicely worked out too, giving a very comfortable steering action to play with.

There is little difference in presentation between this and the arcade version, except for the multi-load - and that doesn't detract from the gameplay in any way, as it only occurs the first time you pick a new circuit.

Super Hang-On

So, all you racers out there, forget your leathers and pick up your mouse (God, that was corny!).

Verdict

Presentation 88%
Good front end, comfortable steering method, choice of mouse or joystick, several tunes and control adjustment.

Graphics 93%
Clean, crisp and large sprites whizz through a superb 3D environment.

Super Hang-On

Sound 53%
Whiney motorbike sounds and four choices of dire music, which fail to reflect the game's action.

Hookability 93%
Great fun to play as you zoom along at ridiculous speeds again and again and...

Lastability 90%
The appeal may wear off slightly once you've completed all four circuits, but they're going to take some beating!

Overall 89%
A great motorbike game, and a brilliant arcade conversion.