[{"TitleName":"Continental Circus","Publisher":"Virgin Games Ltd","Author":"Bill Caunt, Mark Edwards, Peter Hickinson, David John Rowe","YearOfRelease":"1989","ZxDbId":"0001057","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 69, Oct 1989","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1989-09-19","Editor":"Oliver Frey","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Oliver Frey\r\nFeatures Editor: Richard Eddy\r\nEditorial Assistants: Viv Vickress, Caroline Blake\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Nick Roberts, Mike 'Skippy' Dunn, Robin Hogg\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION DEPARTMENT\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics Supervisor: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Robert (the Rev) Hamilton, Jenny Reddard\r\n\r\nDESIGN\r\nRoger Kean, Mark Kendrick, Melvin Fisher\r\n\r\nSystems Operator: Ian Chubb\r\nPublisher: Geoff Grimes\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executives: Lee Watkins, Wynne Morgan\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Promotions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\n\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\nSubscriptions\r\n[redacted].\r\n\r\nDesigned and typeset on Apple Macintosh II computers using Quark Express and Adobe Illustrator '88, output at MBI [redacted] with systems support from Digital Reprographics [redacted]. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of CRASH. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop the Viv Vickress a line at the [redacted] address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for either Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions. No material may be reproduced whole or in part without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into CRASH - including written and photographic material, software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. We regret that readers' postal enquiries cannot always be answered. Unsolicited written or photo material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Colour photographic material should be 35mm transparencies wherever possible. The views expressed in CRASH are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nCopyright CRASH Ltd 1989 A Newsfield Publication. ISSN 0954-8661. Cover Design by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Virgin/The Sales Curve/Teque\r\n£8.99/£14.99\r\n\r\nContinental Circus was covered in the Arcade Action section back in October 1988, and now here's the chance to enjoy all the thrills and spills of racing witi out needing pockets full of 10ps. Of course the coin-op had impressive 3-D glasses stuck on the front of it, and unfortunately the computer version's done away with this luxury.\r\n\r\nTo succeed in Continental Circus you have to complete each of the race tracks and cross the finish line well up in the ranking. You start off in Brazil where you must finish in the top 80 to go on to the USA. Get in the top 60 here to go on to Japan and so on.\r\n\r\nThis gets a little tricky later on when you're expected to finish in the top three! Good driving skills are essential if you want to do well, but conditions are not on your side. Some of the levels are graced with rain pouring down onto the track causing much slipping and sliding to and fro for that could have been my drving!).\r\n\r\nCollisions with other cars in the race are not immediately fatal as in other simulations. In Continental Circus the car starts to smoke, and a sign comes up telling you to enter the pits. If you don't do that soon, the car catches fire and explodes, BOOM: one chargrilled driver!\r\n\r\nAll the sprites in Continental Circus are excellent, if somewhat reminiscent of WEC Le Mans. They include girls in skimpy swim suits running onto screen holding up cards and waving flags (fwoor!). The screen is split into two monochrome colours, with just a touch of red coming onto the car when it is on fire.\r\n\r\nThe hills, bends and perspective have all been excellently programmed, giving you the feeling of being thrown around every corner. Music and effects are also of a very high standard. Continental Circus was a fantastic arcade machine and it has now been brought onto your computer with hardly any loss of addictiveness and playability. Jump into a Formula One car and have some real tyre screeching fun.\r\n\r\nNICK 86%","ReviewerComments":["I love the arcade game with its huge 3-D glasses and comfortable sit-down cabinet. Even without these extras this version offers a damn good racing game. Especially impressive are the neat little graphical and sonic touches that liven it up, as when passing a rival car hearing its engine sound approach and then recede into the distance. Varied weather, much screaming round bends at breakneck speed and the thrill of winning make Continental Circus well worth forking out for.\r\nMark Caswell\r\n93%"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: Incredibly playable and very well programmed race 'em up!","Page":"40,41","Denied":false,"Award":"Crash Smash","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Nick Roberts","Score":"86","ScoreSuffix":"%"},{"Name":"Mark Caswell","Score":"93","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Presentation","Score":"88%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"85%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"86%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictivity","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"90%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 87, Apr 1991","Price":"£1.85","ReleaseDate":"1991-03-21","Editor":"Richard Eddy","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Richard Eddy\r\nSub Editor: Warren Lapworth\r\nStaff Writers: Mark Caswell, Nick Roberts, Lloyd Mangram\r\nArt Editor: Mark Kendrick\r\nPhotography: Michael Parkinson\r\nProduction and Circulation Director: Jonathan Rignall\r\nSystems Operator: Paul (Charlie) Chubb\r\nReprographics: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Robb Hamilton, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Judith Bamford\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executive: Christine Moore\r\nAdvertisement Production: Jackie Morris (Supervisor), Joanne Lewis\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: Caroline Edwards [redacted]\r\n\r\nTypesetting Apple Macintosh Computers using Quark Express and Bitstream Fonts.\r\n\r\nSystems Manager: Ian Chubb\r\n\r\nColour origination Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by BPCC Business Magazines (Carlisle) Ltd, [redacted].\r\n\r\nDistributor COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nYearly subscription rates: UK £17.20 Europe £24.00, Air Mail overseas £37. US/Canada subscriptions and back issues enquiries Barry Hatcher, British Magazine Distributors Ltd [redacted]. Yearly subscription rates US$47.00, Canada CAN$57.00 Back Issues US$5.20, Canada CAN$6.20 (inclusive of postage). \r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available; If something untoward happens we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of CRASH. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop us a line). No person who is related, no matter how remotely, to anyone who works for either Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into CRASH - including written and photographic material, software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material on 35mm transparencies is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Copy published in CRASH will be edited as seen fit and payment will be calculated according to the current printed word rate. The views expressed in CRASH are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nCopyright CRASH Ltd 1991 A Newsfield Publication. ISSN 0954-8661. Cover design and illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Mastertronic Plus\r\n£2.99\r\n\r\nGroovy Formula One racing game with lots of neat elements (like weather conditions). One of the best around!","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"50","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Nick Roberts","Score":"86","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"86%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 47, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-16","Editor":"Matt Bielby","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Matt Bielby\r\nArt Editor: Catherine Higgs\r\nDeputy Editor: Jackie Ryan\r\nProduction Editor: Andy Ide\r\nStaff Writer: David Wilson\r\nDesigner: Catherine Peters\r\nTechnical Consultant: Jonathan Davies\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Jonathan Davies, Mike Gerrard, Sean Kelly, Duncan MacDonald, David McCandless, Phil South\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Lynda Elliott\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Alison Morton\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Chris Skinner\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nAdvertisement Production: Claire Baker\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nNewstrade Circulation Manager: Stephen Ward\r\nSubscription Manager: June Smith\r\nPublisher: Teresa Maughan\r\nFinance Director: Colin Crawford\r\nManaging Director: Stephen England\r\nChairman: Felix Dennis\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Point Five [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinted By: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1989 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"Virgin\r\n£9.99 cass/£14.99 disk\r\nReviewer: Jonathan Davies\r\n\r\nAn odd name for road-racing game, you might think. Surely they're not having to resort to shock tactics to sell the thing just because it's so much like the other racing games around?\r\n\r\nWell, no, actually. My moles tell me (particularly the one on the back of my left thigh, which is most informative) that the game was originally destined to be called Continental Circuit, but while the chap responsible for promoting the game at Taito HQ was on the phone discussing the launch of the game he accidentally got a crinkle-cut potato chip that he was fiddling with stuck in his ear, dulling his hearing somewhat. Not wanting to make a fuss, he continued with the conversation but misheard the name of the game, innocently passing the revised title on to his minions in the publicity department. After undergoing emergency surgery to remove the foreign object, he returned some weeks later to find the office in disarray. Posters sporting the new name were covering the walls, and half the staff were discussing the future of our unfortunate PR man. Whatever the outcome of his tribunal was, the name stuck and the game will probably get a lot more attention because of it. (Okay, so there's a bit of artistic licence in there but you get the gist.)\r\n\r\nYour aim, as the driver of a 400 kph racing vehicle, is to make it around the courses in Brazil, Japan and the other six in between, finishing in as good a position as possible. For each course there's a certain number of cars which need I be overtaken to move on to the next one, not to mention the time limit. You have a steering wheel, an accelerator and a couple of gears to waggle between, and all of these will need to be skilfully manipulated if you're going to get anywhere.\r\n\r\nThe only thing standing in the way of success, apart from your questionable driving technique, is the risk of other drivers swerving in front of you without warning. As you begin to sustain hits your car will begin to emit clouds of smoke. Unless you 'pit in' pretty sharpish you'll find the smoke turning to flames, and then you've got real probs.\r\n\r\nIt has to be said that from a visual point of view Circus isn't going to change home computing as we know it. The car sprites can only be described as functional, the scrolling isn't particularly smooth and the roadside decoration is so notably un-notable that I can't even remember what it looks like off-hand. Fairly drastic I would imagine.\r\n\r\nEntertainment-wise things aren't too hot either. There's so little to do, just dodge from side to side and press the gear button, that races become almost a routine, broken only by pitstops and the random cloud bursts which make the roads go all slippery.\r\n\r\nIt's fun... for a while. There is one aspect that stands out, though - the sound, which simulates revving engines very tidily without resorting to the usual flatulating noises and manages a couple of tunes too. Oh, and also the start sequence and the pitstop are kind of okay. And I like the way that you can send other cars spinning off the road when you hit them.\r\n\r\nContinental Circus doesn't really contribute to the cause of the Speccy in any way. If there was a definitive average game this could well be it. Average look, average feel, average smell. Apart from the sound that is, which is above average (for its type). Although... no! I take it all back - that's average too. The whole thing - it's average.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"A car-racing game that looks broadly similar to every other car-racing game you've ever seen.","Page":"18","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jonathan Davies","Score":"60","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"A luscious lovely poses precariously in front of you to signify the start of the race."},{"Text":"Disaster strikes again! Your car skids into the pits, flames erupting from its rear, and your crew makes a hasty retreat."},{"Text":"Tragedy! Your car hits a pothole in the road and spins through 2652364 before coming to rest."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Life Expectancy","Score":"60%","Text":""},{"Header":"Instant Appeal","Score":"60%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"60%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"60%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"60%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 65, May 1991","Price":"£1.95","ReleaseDate":"1991-04-11","Editor":"Andy Ide","TotalPages":84,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Andy Ide\r\nArt Editor: Sal Meddings\r\nGames Editor: James Leach\r\nStaff Writer: Linda Barker\r\nDesign Assistant: Andy Ounsted\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Jonathan Davies, Cathy Fryett, Mike Gerrard, Jon North, Rich Pelley, John Pillar, Adam Waring, David Wilson\r\nAdvertising Manager: Simon Moss\r\nPublisher: Jane Richardson\r\nPublishing Assistant: Michele Harris\r\nCirculation Director: Sue Hartley\r\nGroup Publisher: Greg Ingham\r\nManaging Director: Chris Anderson\r\nProduction Manager: Ian Seager\r\nProduction Coordinator: Melissa Parkinson\r\nSubscriptions: Computer Posting [redacted]\r\nMail Order: The Old Barn [redacted]\r\nPrinters: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nDistributors: MMC [redacted]\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair is published by Future Publishing Ltd [redacted]\r\n\r\n©Future Publishing 1991. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission."},"MainText":"CONTINENTAL CIRCUS\r\nMastertronic Plus\r\n£2.99\r\nReviewer: Jon Pillar\r\n\r\nProbably best known for the joke related by JD when he reviewed it all the way back in issue 47. Apparently it should have been called Continental Circuit but there was a bad telephone connection. Ho ho! Ho hum. The joke wasn't very good, and spookily neither was the game. (JD gave it 60%.) Has it done a Red Dwarf and improved with age? Er, no. Your basic drive-against- the-clock jobby, it has a fair smattering of good points (8 tracks, pitstops, the way your momentum can carry you over the line after time's run out, rainstorms, a credits system) but these are, alas, outsmarted by the bad bits (truly horrid sprites, the way the opposition frequently rams you before you can get started, the ridiculously severe time penalties and the general feeling you've seen it all before). Obviously a better buy than first time round, and okay if you're desperate for (yet) another racer, but it's a 'not that' game. You know, not that fast, not that playable, not that good... (oh dear),","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"70","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jon Pillar","Score":"62","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"\"Come in, Car No 55, your time is up! Please proceed to the pitstop!\" (I never thought they'd ask.)"}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"62%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 92, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-18","Editor":"Jim Douglas","TotalPages":116,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Meet the SU Pop \"Personalities\"\r\n\r\nJIM \"GLAMROCK\" DOUGLAS (Editor)\r\n\"Yeh. I like to think that these clothes and the whole, like Glamrock scene helps me through the rigours of a tough month on the mag,\" says Jim, \"It's like, when you've got a section going to bed and a problem with the colour pagination of an on-off thirty-two litho, there really is just one thing that'll make you feel alright. Do You Wanna Be in My Gang? by the Glitter Band. You see?\"\r\n\r\nALISON \"RAP\" SKEAT (Production Editor)\r\n\"Don't touch me now/I'm too cold to hold/Gonna pass these pages fore the deadline gets old/Get those Drop Caps outta my face/Cos I'm gonna s.s.s.s.sSUB on through this place, man./Printing men just ain't my scene/They don't help me with my magazine/So if you want to get me to your joint/Just let me check your pica-point.\r\n\r\nTIM \"SCREWDRIVER\" NOONAN (Art Editor)\r\nAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaa aaAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAaa aaaA Arenenenen aaaaaadadadanananananeaaAAAAANAAAAOAAAAA dadadNNNAAAAAAAAAABA-NGB AN-GAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaAAAdadadNNNAAAAAAAAAABAN GBANG'\r\n\r\nGARTH \"MUSIC HALL\" Sumpter (Staff Writer)\r\nI'm leaning on a Spectrum at the corner of the office/In case an exclusive preview of an exciting Christmas blockbuster comes by/Oh me, Oh My/I hope something to fill that page comes by/Now I've been reviewing all about town/So don't you try to do me down/I can even review a game/When I'm cleanin' Windows\"\r\n\r\nAdventure: The Sorceress\r\nDirty Tricks: Garth Sumpter\r\nHow The Hell: Andrew Hewson\r\nI've Got This Problem: Rupert Goodwins\r\nCoin-ops: John Cook\r\nWayne, etc: Chris \"Charity\" Jenkins\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Nigel \"Presentation\" Taylor\r\nSenior Advertisement: Martha 'Tell me now' Moloughney\r\nAd Production: Emma Ward\r\nMarketing Manager: Dean 'Knuckle Of Lamb' Barrett\r\nMarketing Assistant: Sarah 'Well, roughly...' Ewing\r\nPublisher: Terry 'The Head Roller' Pratt\r\n\r\nOur Address: [redacted]\r\nOur Phone Number: [redacted]\r\nOur Fax No: [redacted]\r\n\r\nThis Month's Cover: Untouchables from Ocean\r\nCover Artist: Jerry Paris\r\n\r\nPrinted by Nene River Press, [redacted]\r\nTypeset by Professional Reprographics Services [redacted]\r\nAnd Jim at EMAP\r\nDistributed by EMAP Frontline.\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries: [redacted]\r\n24 Hour Order Line: [redacted]\r\nBack Issues: Back Issues Department (SU), [redacted]\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1989 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458"},"MainText":"Label: Virgin\r\nAuthor: In-house\r\nPrice: £8.95\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nJoystick: various\r\nReviewer: Garth Sumpter\r\n\r\nArcade conversions are seemingly very popular at the moment and to coin a phrase, they're what yer right hands for which is exactly what the software houses seem to know as no sooner does a machine grab your attention and have you asking for your pocket money in ten pees, then several software companies will wrestle for the license, so that they can wrest a few more pence out of your pockets. This is actually good economics for games players IF the conversion is a good one.\r\n\r\nSo, what of Continental Circus? Could such a wicked arcade game convert to the Spectrum? The Sales Curve seem to think so who have done the converting on behalf of Virgin Mastertronic and I must say. It does look juicy.\r\n\r\nFor those of you who haven't played the Taito arcade machine (whaddaya mean you haven't played it!), here's the brief...\r\n\r\nContinental Circus is a rubber burnin' race game. No elephants, no clowns and no-one in glitsy suits beating tigers into submission with large whips. No siree. This game is for real heros. You must race against other cars and improve your performance (fnarr), to improve your ranking which to begin with is, well pretty naff. In fact it's crap! You're ranked 100th which is last place. As a reader of Sinclair User this really won't do will it. So by getting around the courses within the allowed time and overtaking enough cars you will qualify to race on each successive track.\r\n\r\nYou begin the game in Brazil and work your way up the rankings and through six other countries' tracks until you finally reach Japan, where you must finish in third place or better. Ahh sooo.\r\n\r\nSound easy enough for you? Ha, just hold it right there Mr Mansell. Cars go wrong sometimes, just ask Jim if he's got enough oil in his engine and he'll scuttle off out and bang another pint in his lotus. Well, oil levels are no problem with Continental Circus but collisions are. If you decide a car's in your way, don't do an Alison on it. The merest nudge will cause smoke to pour out and, as in the arcade game, you will be advised to make a pit stop to repair the damage. If you decide to continue then watch out! If you run the car for too long the smoke will turn to flames and eventually the car will blow its rivets all over the track.\r\n\r\nIf that isn't enough, there is also rain which can happen at any time, just like the real thing. Be careful on bends in the wet as it becomes frighteningly easy to completely wipe yourself out and be left without a working motor. Losing a car isn't too bad because that can be replaced but the all too important clock will continue to tick away your chances of qualifying.\r\n\r\nControl is by keyboard or joystick with forward accelerating the car and the fire button acting as shift between low and high gear and your current gear is displayed in the top left hand corner along with speed, present score and the highest score, to the left of which is time left which ticks mercilessly down to zero. Your current rank and the rank you need to qualify for the next race are also here to lay testament to what a brilliant (or useless), driver you are.\r\n\r\nIt looks like we've got a winner here - okay so the 3D effect can't be implemented on the Spectrum but the 3D effect on the arcade tended to give people severe headaches and if Taito saw fit to introduce an on/off option then just think of the Spectrum version as being that much better than the original.\r\n\r\nVirgin have a good product here (hurrah!), and it will be no surprise to me when it roars into the charts in a flash of smoke and hopefully, doesn't disappear in a ball of flames.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"The race game goes one stage further. Ace.","Page":"50,51","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Garth Sumpter","Score":"80","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"\"You'll 'ave no more trouble with it now Guv.\" The pit team wave our hero a cheery goodbye and hope that they won't see HIM again!"},{"Text":"Here goes Garth into a nasty looking left hander. Will SU's very own boy racer avoid hitting the signs?"},{"Text":"The boy racer manages to get past the pits this time without having to drop in for yet more repairs."},{"Text":"Whoops! What a stupid place to put a sign! Garth's in trouble as he points his flaming car in the direction of the nearest fire extinguisher."}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"HINTS AND TIPS\r\n\r\nFAST START\r\nFor a flying start that'll have you ripping off the start line like shit off a shovel after a vindaloo, push the joystick forward when the first starting light comes on, release it (but don't pull it back) on the second light and push forward as normal when the green light comes on. This gives you an impressive burst of acceleration off the line then just change up into the high, second gear.\r\n\r\nCORNERING\r\nFor fast corners it may be necessary to slow down, especially in the rain. Do this by changing down momentarily then get back into top as you come out of the bend.\r\n\r\nCRASHES\r\nIf you get damaged get into one of the pits. The clock will stop while the lads sort out your problems but if you race on and blow up, the clock will continue to tick away whilst your new car is prepared.\r\n\r\nACCELERATING AFTER A CRASH\r\nKeep to the middle of the road and then cars behind you can pass on either side but if you pull in front of them they will collide with your car and you'll get severely narked off.\r\n\r\nOVERTAKING\r\nRead the road and decide early on which side you will pass other cars. If you dither, your car will be climbing into the opponents driving seat before you know it! On corners, decide which line the cars ahead are going to take (either left, right or centre of the track). If the road is blocked you can cut the corner if there are no signs or roadside furniture in the way."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"79%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"86%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"65%","Text":""},{"Header":"Lastability","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 96, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.2","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-16","Editor":"Julian Rignall","TotalPages":132,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Julian Rignall\r\nArt Editor: Andrea Walker\r\nStaff Writers: Paul Glancey, Paul Rand\r\nArt Assistant: Osmond Browne\r\nAdvertising Manager: Nigel Taylor\r\nDep Ads Manager: Joanna Cooke\r\nSales Executive: Tina Zanelli\r\nProduction Assistant: Glenys Powell\r\nPublisher: Graham Taylor\r\nThis Month's Cover: Jerry Paris\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries to: EMAP Frontline, [redacted]\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]"},"MainText":"Virgin/Mastertronic\r\nSpectrum £9.99, C64 £9.99, ST/Amiga £19.99\r\n\r\nAs you probably know, Taito's coin-op was originally meant to be called Continental Circuits, but wires got crossed and the translation came out as \"Circus\"! Strange, but true!\r\n\r\nAnyway, the 'circuits\" in question are a series of eight tracks set around the world: Brazil, America, France, Monaco, Germany, Spain, Mexico and Japan. Each has their own hazards, and some are more difficult than others; Monaco, for example, is almost entirely made up of bends and chicanes, whereas Japan is full of lovely long straights.\r\n\r\nOn every track you've got to race your way through the field to achieve a qualifying position. At Brazil you start off in 100th place and have to make your way to 80th; by Japan you've got to finish in the top three. Each course also has a strict time limit; crash once and you'll be lucky to finish.\r\n\r\nIf you hit other cars or roadside obstacles, you set your vehicle alight, and its time to enter the pits, where the clock is stopped until you're fully repaired. If you don't make a pit stop, you'll eventually blow up, spin off the track and lose valuable seconds.\r\n\r\nAlthough the original coin-op is an enjoyable game, the 8 bit versions have failed to capitalise on the machine's fast action, and the end results are rather routine Pole Position clones which have been seen before in various guises over the last four years. The pit stop is a neat idea, but really there's little else that's new.\r\n\r\nThe 16 bit versions look and play similarly to the arcade machine, and are enjoyable and addictive. The only problem is that there isn't a lot of variety in the gameplay, so lasting appeal is questionable. Still, if you're a fan of the original coin-op you should love both versions - those not so sure should check out other racing games on the market before making a purchasing decision.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"There's very little sense of speed and not much room to overtake opponents, so it soon becomes more annoying than enjoyable.","Page":"48,49","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Gordon Houghton","Score":"59","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"... Until an engine fire forces him to \"pit in\"."},{"Text":"Burnin' up the road?"},{"Text":"But the pit crew are on hand to save the day."},{"Text":"Gordon Senna gets off to a roaring start..."},{"Text":"Green light! They're off!"},{"Text":"The first course - lots of nasty bends here."},{"Text":"Yeek! Twenty two seconds left to make up five places!"}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"AMIGA SCORES\r\n\r\nOverall: 79%\r\n\r\nThe sound could have been better (the engine effects are a bit whiney), but otherwise it's like the ST. It's simple enough until you get to Monaco, then you start smashing up your joystick."},{"Text":"ATARI ST SCORES\r\n\r\nGraphics: 79%\r\nSound: 62%\r\nValue: 76%\r\nPlayability: 79%\r\nOverall: 79%\r\n\r\nA reasonable enough attempt at the coin-op, but more detailed 3D would have helped. Otherwise it's a pretty nifty race game, as frustrating as it is addictive."},{"Text":"C64 SCORES\r\n\r\nOverall: 46%\r\n\r\nThe graphics and sound do little to emulate the coin-op, and it's far too easy to complete."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"59%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 114, May 1991","Price":"£1.3","ReleaseDate":"1991-04-14","Editor":"Julian Rignall","TotalPages":116,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Managing Editor: Julian Rignall\r\nAssociate Editor: Paul Glancey\r\nArt Editor: Jon Billington\r\nStaff Writers: Richard Leadbetter, Robert Swan\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Nigel Taylor\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Martha Moloughney\r\nSales Exec: Alan Dykes\r\nExciting Production Assistant: Emma Sadler\r\nSharp-dressed Publisher: Graham \"Nyee-hahaha!\" Taylor\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries: C+VG Subscriptions, [redacted]\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]. Please note we cannot take tips enquiries on the phone!!\r\n\r\nPrinted By: Kingfisher Web, [redacted]\r\nColour By: Proprint, [redacted]\r\nTypeset By: Paul's Midnight Oil Typesetting Emporium\r\nDistributed By: BBC Frontline\r\n\r\n©Computer And Video Games 1991\r\nISSN No: 0261-3697"},"MainText":"Mastertronic Plus\r\nSpectrum £2.99\r\n\r\nReady yourself for plenty of high-speed thrills, spills 'n' automobiles in this re-release of the Sales Curve's version of the 3D Taito coin-op. Obviously, the \"real\" 3D and the superb graphics are missing, but this game is still pretty playable and ranks as one of the better road racers that we've seen of late. Check it out.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"75","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Richard Leadbetter","Score":"80","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"The Games Machine Issue 24, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-12","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL OFFICE\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Roger Kean\r\nFeatures Editor: Dominic Handy\r\nTechnical Editor: Robin Candy\r\nStaff Writers: Mark Caswell, Warren Lapworth\r\nEditorial Assistants: Vivien Vickress\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Mel Croucher, Ruth Pracy, Paul Rigby, Marshal M Rosenthal (USA), John Woods\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION DEPARTMENT\r\n[redacted]\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nSenior Designer: Wayne Allen\r\nReprographics: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\nDesign: Roger Kean, Mark Kendrick, Melvyn Fisher\r\nSystems Operator: Ian Chubb\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executives: Lee Watkins\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Promotions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: [redacted]\r\n\r\nDesigned and typeset on Apple Macintosh II computers running Quark Xpress, Adobe Illustrator 88, with systems support from Digital Print Reprographics, [redacted]. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted] and Newsfield. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset [redacted] - a member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistribution effected by COMAG, [redacted].\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of TGM. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop Viv Vickress a line at the PO Box 10 address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in part or in whole without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into TGM - including written and photographic material, hardware or software - unless it's accompanied by a suitably stamped, addressed envelope. We regret that readers' postal enquiries cannot always be answered. Unsolicited written or photographic material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Colour photographic material should be 35mm transparencies wherever possible. The views expressed in TGM are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\n©1989 TGM Ltd 1989\r\nA Newsfield Publication ISSN 0954-8092\r\n\r\nCover Design Roger Kean"},"MainText":"Spectrum 48/128 Cassette: £14.99, Diskette: £19.99\r\nCommodore 64/128 Cassette: £14.99, Diskette: £19.99\r\nAtari ST £19.99\r\nAmiga £19.99\r\n\r\nBECOME AN F-1 CHAMPION WITH...\r\n\r\nEver fancied becoming a Formula One champ, standing on the winners' podium with a gleaming trophy in one hand and a beautiful blonde in the other. Well there's little chance you will be able to do this in real life, but with Continental Circus from Virgin you can have second best. Taken from the Taito coin-op that features huge 3-D glasses, the computer version lacks the three-dimensional view, but is a tough and challenging eight-track racing game.\r\n\r\nAfter displaying a bird's-eye view of the next track to be attempted (the first is Brazil) the view changes to a lone car sitting on the starting grid, a scantily clad blonde holds up a board which informs you that five seconds remain before the race starts. Then as the final seconds tick down, the lights on the overhead gantry flash 3-2-1, and with a screech of rubber you're off. Opposition isn't long in showing up because other cars appear with annoying regularity trying to cut you up and force you off the road.\r\n\r\nYou start the race at the back of the pack in 100th position, but to qualify for the the next track you must finish the race in 80th position or better. So step on the gas and rip past the opposition. As with most racing games a high/low gear is accessed by pressing fire. At around 200kph change from low to high because you won't go very far otherwise - and the race is against the clock. Checkpoints are scattered around the track which must be reached in the allowed time, with extended play the reward for passing them.\r\n\r\nAs you tear around the comers watch out for the computer-controlled cars. Collision with these (or the billboards at the trackside) isn't immediately fatal - the back of your car starts to smoke, leave it too long and flames burst out, making it time for a pitstop where mechanics swarm out with fire extinguishers. On later tracks dark clouds gather and rain pours down, making control of the car more difficult (the arcade version asked you to pitstop for wet weather tyres).\r\n\r\nFurther into the game you visit America, France, Monaco, Germany, Spain, Mexico and Japan. Each track is tougher to complete because every second counts and finishing positions get tighter, for America you need to be in the top 60, and from then on it drops steadily until you get to Japan where you must be in the top three to win the championship and the Formula One crown. The time limit on the first couple of tracks is quite generous, however, so you can concentrate more on jostling your way into a winning position rather than worry about how much time is left.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Despite monochromatic sprites, the attention to detail is commendable, and this is the only computer version which appears to have the tyre-changing arcade scene. The 128K tune is impressive, although the 48K effects are also good. A must-buy for all Speccy owners.","Page":"86","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Mark Caswell","Score":"85","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Where there s smoke there's fire, a fact brought home only too strongly by Virgin's conversion, shown particularly above on the Amiga and to a lesser degree on the disappointing Commodore version (left) and the detailed Spectrum (below left)"}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"AMIGA\r\n\r\nOverall: 86%\r\n\r\nGraphically the Amiga conversion is very close to the arcade game, the colourful well defined sprites scream around the track smoothly and with as much noise as possible - the engine sounds like a real racing car revving up about two inches from your ear. Neat graphical touches also liven the game up, fire extinguisher-wielding mechanics and rain add realism to this brilliant game."},{"Text":"ATARI ST\r\n\r\nOverall: 85%\r\n\r\nGraphically as good as the Amiga, the ST's scrolling is a little faster. This makes avoiding the other racers trickier, but adds to the frustration - especially when the car stops inches short of the finishing line. Sound isn't quite as impressive as on the Amiga, but when the playability is so high who really cares?"},{"Text":"COMMODORE 64/128\r\n\r\nOverall: 56%\r\n\r\nSadly worst of the four versions reviewed here, the sonics are reasonable, but the graphics are pretty naff. Garish blocky sprites do their utmost to hobble around the tracks, but the action sadly fails to spark any form of excitement in the player. Take a good look at this version before considering purchase."},{"Text":"OTHER FORMATS\r\n\r\nExpect to see the Amstrad CPC version priced £14.99 cass, £19.99 disk soon."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"85%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]