<Author>Graeme Devine, Chris Dellorco</Author><Publisher>Atarisoft</Publisher><Reviews><Review><Award>Not Awarded</Award><BlurbText /><CompilationReviewScores /><Denied>false</Denied><Issue><Editor>Roger Kean</Editor><FlannelPanel>Editor: Roger Kean Consultant Editor: Franco Frey Assistant Editor: Kevin Foster Production Designer: David Western Art Editor: Oliver Frey Adventure Editor: Derek Brewster Staff Writer: Lloyd Mangram Contributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey, Robin Candy Client Liaison: John Edwards Subscription Manager: Denise Roberts ©1984 Newsfield Limited. Crash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted] General correspondence to: [redacted] Telephone numbers General office [redacted] Editorial/studio [redacted] Advertising [redacted] Hot Line [redacted] No material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders. Photosetting by SIOS [redacted] Colour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted] Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset Ltd (Member of the BPCC Group), [redacted]. Distribution by COMAG, [redacted] Subscriptions: 12 issues £10.50 (UK Mainland post free) Europe: 12 issues £17.50 (post free). We cannot undertake to return any written or photographic material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Cover by Oliver Frey</FlannelPanel><HasCoverTape>false</HasCoverTape><Name>Crash Issue 12, Jan 1985</Name><Price>£1.25</Price><ReleaseDate>1984-12-13</ReleaseDate><TotalPages>196</TotalPages></Issue><MainText>Producer: Atarisoft Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £7.99 Language: Machine code At last, the long-awaited Spectrum version of one of the most famous arcade originals ever - Atari's 'Pole Position'. There were rumours earlier in the year that Atarisoft had released the game. It was seen at the Earls Court Computer Fair in September and almost immediately withdrawn after unfavourable comment from critics present. The track picture is recognisably that of the arcade original, with the alternating red and white stripes on the road side, striped centre line, moving hills in the background and a long perspective which has the road moving from side to side depending on the car's position on it. Road signs also echo the original and provide a danger to those who go off the road. You're up against lots of other racers on the road. The game commences from the start grid with a countdown. First you must qualify - 90 seconds in which you must achieve a lap time of better than 73 seconds to get onto the real race. If you hit another car or a hazard you explode and this loses you precious time. No matter how many times you crash you receive another car until the qualifying time has run out. Control includes left and right, brake and change of gears between hi and low. Scoring is by lap speed and 50 points per car passed. COMMENTS Control keys: O/P left/right, 0 to brake, A to change gear, or use the cursor keys Joystick: Kempston, AGF, Protek, Sinclair 2 Keyboard play: very good, attribute problems kept to a minimum Use of colour: good 3D effect, detailed and large Graphics: bit clicky, nothing special, nice tune Sound: progressive difficulty Skill levels: N/A Lives: 1 Special features: above average, but pricey.</MainText><OverallSummary>General Rating: Above average, but pricey.</OverallSummary><Page>81,82</Page><ReviewScores><ReviewScore><Header>Use of Computer</Header><Score>80%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Graphics</Header><Score>80%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Playability</Header><Score>71%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Getting Started</Header><Score>75%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Addictive Qualities</Header><Score>52%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Value For Money</Header><Score>49%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Overall</Header><Score>68%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore></ReviewScores><ReviewerComments xmlns:d5p1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/2003/10/Serialization/Arrays"><d5p1:string>It seems ironical that the original game that has inspired so many versions on the Spectrum should be the last to appear (at least I expect it's the last - there may be more arrive yet)! It also means that Atarisoft have a big job on their hands because a few of the versions have been excellent (Full Throttle for instance). Pole Position has managed to look very like the arcade original, which is good, but it doesn't play anything like as well. Perhaps this isn't surprising, but I thought the control of the car, overall, was a bit rough. The inlay has strategy tips on how to use gears, brakes and the inside lane wherever possible, but this isn't reflected in what you see on the screen. The road, for instance, scrolls past at the same speed, whatever speed your car is doing, which isn't very realistic; and I thought the car handling was a bit sluggish, whereas in the original it was very skittish, and therefore more exciting. The graphics are of a high standard, especially your vehicle, and generally Pole Position is enjoyable. Unknown</d5p1:string><d5p1:string>At last, it's arrived! Since Spring I've been waiting to see this game when it was first advertised - nearly eleven months later, I'm actually playing it. Was it worth it, you might say? Well, it's the first racing game I've seen with multicoloured graphics that work and decent sized computer controlled cars to race against. 3D prospective is pretty good, I like the way the colours of the race track alternate from red to white to give an impression of movement. I'd hardly call this game 'Pole Position though, because it is only a race track and doesn't go through the various scenarios as arcade 'Pole Position'does. I can 't see the point of having a speedometer in this game because no matter how high your speed is, the ground progresses at the same speed that you started at the only difference being that you slide further on corners. I don't really think it was worth the eleven month wait, as in that time several other racing games have appeared that are equally good, if not better, and besides, it is totally over-priced. Unknown</d5p1:string><d5p1:string>The 3D effect in Pole Position is quite pleasing with the multicoloured mountains in the background creating a sense of space, and the road disappears satisfactorily. But the 3D animation of the other cars is a little bit jerky - signposts seem to hang around rather a long while before finally flashing past. On the other hand they are all very detailed, which makes it difficult to animate fully. Car control is not over-responsive - or perhaps it would be more fair to say that the trade doesn't seem to respond as well as your car movement! it also seems a shame that it takes so long to accelerate - surely this vehicle would never qualify on a real track? More could have been made of the use of gears for speed and control than has been. Overall, quite a good race track dame, but spoiled by the exceptionally high price tag - still, at least it isn't the £15 we originally feared it would be. Unknown</d5p1:string></ReviewerComments><Reviewers><Reviewer><Name>Unknown</Name><Score></Score><ScoreSuffix></ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Unknown</Name><Score></Score><ScoreSuffix></ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Unknown</Name><Score></Score><ScoreSuffix></ScoreSuffix></Reviewer></Reviewers><ScreenshotText /><TranscriptBy>Chris Bourne</TranscriptBy></Review><Review><Award>Not Awarded</Award><BlurbText /><CompilationReviewScores /><Denied>false</Denied><Issue><Editor>Kevin Cox</Editor><FlannelPanel>Editor: Roger Munford Art Editor: Hazel Bennington Deputy Editor: Peter Shaw Production Editor: Louise Cook Art Assistant: Martin Dixon Editorial Consultant: Andrew Pennell Software Consultant: Gavin Monk Contributors: John Torofex, Stephen Adams, Roger Willis, Dave Nicholls, Ross Holman, Kevin Cox, AM Grant, Colin Barnsley, PJ Simmons, Chris Wood, Clive Gifford, Toni Baker, Craig Rawstron, Sue Dehnam, Mike Leaman, AJ Unwin Advertising Manager: Joe Harrower Advertisement Executive: David Baskerville Production Manager: Sonia Hunt Group Advertisement Manager: Jill Harris Group Art Director: Perry Neville Publisher: Stephen England Published by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England. Telephone (all departments): [redacted] Typesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted] Reproduction: Graphic Ideas, London Printers: Chase Web Offset [redacted] Distribution: Seymour Press [redacted] All material in Your Spectrum ©1985 Felden productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Spectrum is a monthly publication.</FlannelPanel><HasCoverTape>false</HasCoverTape><Name>Your Spectrum Issue 13, Apr 1985</Name><Price>£0.95</Price><ReleaseDate>1985-03-21</ReleaseDate><TotalPages>74</TotalPages></Issue><MainText>POLE POSITION Atarisoft £7.99 Ross: "Atari puts you in the driver's seat! Pass cars like they're standing still, but watch for those curves! One mistake and you could go up in flames!" So says Atarisoft on the cassette sleeve of Pole Position. All the features of the arcade original are in the Spectrum version, from the qualifying lap to the vicious left-hand bend that appears just when you think you're doing so well. All the joysticks are supported and the controls are nice and simple... left, right, brake and change gear. To qualify for the race you must first complete a lap within 73 seconds - and, once you've made the grade you get allocated a grid position. Immediately the starting light turns to green, the other cars go speeding off - leaving you to do the best you can. The car accelerates automatically, leaving you to change into high gear at about 100mph. You soon start catching up with the other cars, though, and you'll get a satisfied feeling as you coast past them. Each time you complete a lap you're given a time bonus and the end of the race comes when you run out of time or complete three laps; you'll see a little chequered flag at the finish. For my book this is the best Atarisoft game yet. It's also the best racing game I've seen on the Spectrum and it's eminently playable.</MainText><OverallSummary></OverallSummary><Page>49</Page><ReviewScores i:nil="true" /><ReviewerComments xmlns:d5p1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/2003/10/Serialization/Arrays"><d5p1:string>With the possible exception of Full Throttle, this has got to be the best racing game yet... but it's far too expensive! Dave Nicholls 3/5 HIT</d5p1:string><d5p1:string>OK, I'm smiling! This is a great game... better than any race game yet. Buy it! Roger Willis 5/5 HIT</d5p1:string></ReviewerComments><Reviewers><Reviewer><Name>Dave Nicholls</Name><Score>3</Score><ScoreSuffix>/5 HIT</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Ross Holman</Name><Score>4</Score><ScoreSuffix>/5 HIT</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Roger Willis</Name><Score>5</Score><ScoreSuffix>/5 HIT</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer></Reviewers><ScreenshotText /><TranscriptBy>Chris Bourne</TranscriptBy></Review><Review><Award>Not Awarded</Award><BlurbText /><CompilationReviewScores /><Denied>false</Denied><Issue><Editor>Kevin Cox</Editor><FlannelPanel>Editor: Kevin Cox Art Editor: Phoebe Evans Deputy Editor: Peter Shaw Production Editor: Louise Cook Designer: Martin Dixon Editorial Consultant: Andrew Pennell Software Consultant: Gavin Monk Contributors: Stephen Adams, Ross Holman, Tony Samuels, Ian Beardsmore, Chris Wood, Rick Robson, Dougie Bern, Chris Somerville, Max Phillips, Phil South, Stuart Jamieson, Christopher Hardy, Peter Freebrey, Dave Nicholls Advertisement Manager: David Baskerville Production Manager: Sonia Hunt Group Advertisement Manager: Chris Talbot Managing Editor: Roger Munford Art Director: Jimmy Egerton Publisher: Stephen England Published by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England. Telephone (all departments): [redacted] Typesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted] Reproduction: Graphic Ideas, London Printers: Chase Web Offset [redacted] Distribution: Seymour Press [redacted] All material in Your Spectrum ©1985 Felden productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Spectrum is a monthly publication.</FlannelPanel><HasCoverTape>false</HasCoverTape><Name>Your Spectrum Issue 19, Oct 1985</Name><Price>£0.95</Price><ReleaseDate>1985-09-19</ReleaseDate><TotalPages>66</TotalPages></Issue><MainText>POLE POSITION Datasoft £7.95 Rick: Stone me, if it's not another (if not the original) grand prix simulation game. As the holder of no less than 9 provisional licences, I lapped up the idea. A golden oldie that pre-dates history lessons and is slightly more raunchy. Arcaders will either groan with the familiarity of it all, or welcome it as an old friend into the swelling cohorts of Spectrum games. So what d'ya do then? Quite simply whizz your mighty McLaren around the mountain encircled track within the alloted qualifying time. Just feel the horse power throb in the grip of your joystick... the faster you qualify, the higher up the grid you climb. Then for the race proper. Avoid banging your comrades, (in any position, let alone Pole), or pranging the placards as you try to set a new lap record or get a high score. This game has good, if not world championship graphics. Added to joystick responses this Pole's Position could be first past the flag, compared to say Chequered Flag. No matter how many times you burst into flames, your car keeps going. Whatever your position on racing games try the Pole one.</MainText><OverallSummary></OverallSummary><Page>44</Page><ReviewScores i:nil="true" /><ReviewerComments xmlns:d5p1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/2003/10/Serialization/Arrays"><d5p1:string>Hang on a minute, it may be 1 o'clock in the morning but I can still spot that this is a re-release of Atarisoft's Pole Position. The roadside signs may've been changed, but the game's the same. Might be cheaper to find the old version. Ross Holman 7/10</d5p1:string><d5p1:string>I must admit that the first time I saw this game was on the Commie 64, but the Spectrum version is just as good, and addictive too. Lots of action here, and it's fast...! Dougie Bern 8/10</d5p1:string></ReviewerComments><Reviewers><Reviewer><Name>Ross Holman</Name><Score>7</Score><ScoreSuffix>/10</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Rick Robson</Name><Score>8</Score><ScoreSuffix>/10</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Dougie Bern</Name><Score>8</Score><ScoreSuffix>/10</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer></Reviewers><ScreenshotText /><TranscriptBy>Chris Bourne</TranscriptBy></Review><Review><Award>Not Awarded</Award><BlurbText><ScreenshotAndBlurbText><Text>MORE WHEELS THAN ISIAH! BMX Simulator Endurance Enduro Racer Glider Rider Knight Rider Miami Vice Milk Race Nightmare Rally Paperboy Pole Position Scalextric Speed King II Street Hawk Super Cycle TT Racer Turbo Esprit</Text></ScreenshotAndBlurbText></BlurbText><CompilationReviewScores /><Denied>false</Denied><Issue><Editor>Barnaby Page</Editor><FlannelPanel>Managing Editor: Barnaby Page Staff Writers: Dominic Handy, Lloyd Mangram, Ian Phillipson Subeditor: David Peters Photographers: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson Office: Frances Mable, Glenys Powell Technical Writers: Simon N Goodwin, Jon Bates Adventure Writer: Derek Brewster PBM Writer: Brendon Kavanagh Strategy Writer: Philippa Irving Education Writer: Rosetta McLeod Contributors: Robin Candy, Mike Dunn, Paul Evans, Ben Stone, Paul Sumner, Bym Welthy Editorial Director: Roger Kean Production Controller: David Western Art Director: Gordon Druce Illustrator: Oliver Frey Design: Markie Kendrick, Wayne Allen Process and Planning: Jonathan Rignall (Supervisor), Matthew Uffindell, Nick Orchard Advertisement Manager: Roger Bennett Advertisement Executive: Andrew Smales Subscriptions: Denise Roberts Mail Order: Carol Kinsey Editorial and Production: [redacted] Please address correspondence to the appropriate person! Mail Order and Subscriptions: [redacted] ADVERTISING [redacted] Typesetting by The Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group. Distributed by COMAG, [redacted] No material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH - including written and photographic software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. ©1987 Newsfield Limited Cover by Oliver Frey</FlannelPanel><HasCoverTape>false</HasCoverTape><Name>Crash Issue 47, Dec 1987</Name><Price>£1.25</Price><ReleaseDate>1987-11-26</ReleaseDate><TotalPages>148</TotalPages></Issue><MainText>Pole Position Atarisoft 68% Issue 12 MIKE: I suppose it deserves credit for being the original and all that, but the 68% rating was given three years ago, and I'm afraid Pole Position has aged quite seriously since then. One of the poorer racing games. 41% DOMINIC: I waited ages for this conversion to come on the Spectrum - and they did a reasonable job. The graphics may not be as good as in Out Run, for instance, but the feel of the game is definitely Pole Position. It's dropped tremendously in price, and is unchallenged in its class (at the moment!) 71%</MainText><OverallSummary></OverallSummary><Page>102</Page><ReviewScores><ReviewScore><Header>Overall (Mike Dunn)</Header><Score>41%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Overall (Dominic Handy)</Header><Score>71%</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore></ReviewScores><ReviewerComments xmlns:d5p1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/2003/10/Serialization/Arrays" /><Reviewers><Reviewer><Name>Mike Dunn</Name><Score>41</Score><ScoreSuffix>%</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer><Reviewer><Name>Dominic Handy</Name><Score>71</Score><ScoreSuffix>%</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer></Reviewers><ScreenshotText /><TranscriptBy>Chris Bourne</TranscriptBy></Review><Review><Award>Not Awarded</Award><BlurbText /><CompilationReviewScores /><Denied>false</Denied><Issue><Editor>Bill Scolding</Editor><FlannelPanel>EDITORIAL Editor: Bill Scolding Deputy Editor: John Gilbert Staff Writer: Chris Bourne, Clare Edgeley Designer: Craig Kennedy Editorial Secretary: Norisah Fenn Publisher: Neil Wood ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Louise Fanthorpe Deputy Advertisement Manager: Shahid Nizam Advertisement Sales Executive: Kathy McLennan Production Assistant: Jim McClure Advertisement Secretary: Linda Everest MAGAZINE SERVICES Subscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne TELEPHONE All departments [redacted] Sinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications Cover Photograph: Henry Arden If you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles to: Sinclair User EMAP Business & Computer Publications [redacted] Original programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. We pay £20 for each program printed and £50 for star programs. Typeset by Saffron Graphics Ltd, [redacted] Printed by Peterboro' Web, [redacted] Distributed by EMAP Publications Ltd. ©Copyright 1985 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458 102,023 Jan-Jun 1985</FlannelPanel><HasCoverTape>false</HasCoverTape><Name>Sinclair User Issue 43, Oct 1985</Name><Price>£0.95</Price><ReleaseDate>1985-09-19</ReleaseDate><TotalPages>132</TotalPages></Issue><MainText>Publisher: Datasoft Memory: 48K Price: £7.95 Joystick: Sinclair, Kempston, Cursor Oh no! Not another racing car game! Despite Pole Position being a direct descendent of the famous arcade game it is still hard not to be cynical. The game begins with a qualifying lap to determine which one of the eight grid positions you take for the race. Score, time left, speed, gears and laps completed, are displayed throughout the trial and race. You have a view of the race from the rear of your car and control the steering, gears and brakes. What about speed? That increases at a set pace only as long as you remain on the track. Racing through the straights and chicanes, you must qualify within a set time. Your car will be replaced following each crash until your time runs out. It always seems that you reach a respectable speed - 200 mph plus - when approaching a bend. Attempting to brake and pass a car usually sends you careering off the track towards a lurking roadsign. Crash! Ugh! Fun? Having qualified you now compete in the main race. The same obstacles appear, although there are more of them. Points are scored in both events for remaining on the track and passing rival cars. Upon successful completion of the race you are awarded extended play. To make the game more challenging, your time limit drops each time you finish a race, your car speeds up and more cars and roadsigns appear. Generally the graphics are good; your car does look like a formula racing machine. Flickering red and white lines mark the edge of the circuit and give a realistic illusion of movement to the game. There again, that also makes for uncomfortable viewing. What lets the graphics down is the untidy sequence following a crash. On impact, the car explodes and is slowly replaced by a new one. Vital seconds are lost. Be warned. If you like to play games where 10 fingers are never enough you won't enjoy this one. So steer clear.</MainText><OverallSummary></OverallSummary><Page>32</Page><ReviewScores><ReviewScore><Header>Overall</Header><Score>3/5</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore></ReviewScores><ReviewerComments xmlns:d5p1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/2003/10/Serialization/Arrays" /><Reviewers><Reviewer><Name>Colette McDermott</Name><Score>3</Score><ScoreSuffix>/5</ScoreSuffix></Reviewer></Reviewers><ScreenshotText /><TranscriptBy>Chris Bourne</TranscriptBy></Review><Review><Award>Not Awarded</Award><BlurbText /><CompilationReviewScores /><Denied>false</Denied><Issue><Editor>Ray Elder</Editor><FlannelPanel>Editor: Ray Elder Editorial Assistant: Cliff Joseph Group Editor: Wendy J Palmer Software Assistant: John Gerard Donovan Sales Executive: Alice Robertson Advertisement Manager: Barry Bingham Divisional Advertising Manager: Chris Northam Copy Controller: Sue Couchman Publishing Director: Peter Welham Origination and design by MM Design & Print, [redacted] Published by Argus Specialist Publications Ltd, [redacted] ZX Computing is published bi-monthly on the fourth Friday of the month. Distributed by: Argus Press Sales & Distribution Ltd. [redacted]. Printed by: Garnett Print, Rotherham and London. The contents of this publication including all articles, designs, plans, drawings and programs and all copyright and other intellectual property rights therein belong to Argus Specialist Publications Limited. All rights conferred by the Law of Copyright and other intellectual property rights and by virtue of international copyright conventions are specifically reserved to Argus Specialist Publications Limited and any reproduction requires the prior written consent of Argus Specialist Publications Ltd. ©Argus Specialist Publications Limited 1985</FlannelPanel><HasCoverTape>false</HasCoverTape><Name>ZX Computing Issue 21, Oct 1985</Name><Price>£1.95</Price><ReleaseDate>1985-09-26</ReleaseDate><TotalPages>124</TotalPages></Issue><MainText>US Gold/Datasoft £7.95 This is an accurate computer version of the arcade hit of the same name, the graphics have been faithfully reproduced and, as far as is possible, the sounds are the same. Pole Position is a race driving game. I say game rather than simulation as the only controls are left and right plus forward and back for Hi/Low gear change and brakes. The first section has you steering your car, which you see as a rear view at the bottom of the screen, left and right as the track scrolls towards you, there are other cars which appear and have to be avoided as you over take them. Provided that you get a lap speed of 73mph or better, you then go on to the actual race itself and do the same again in the main race. Hitting another car or one of the billboards causes your car to explode. If this happens you get a new car and start from this position, the only real penalty is the time you lose. It is hard to say why, but I wasn't too excited by this program. All the arcade features are there, but going round and round the track didn't seem too challenging - OK, I had my share of crashes, but I couldn't maintain a lasting interest. If you are a fan of the arcade version then this will be a must for you, I suspect most Spectrum gamers will find there is not enough variation in the gameplay to keep them engrossed for long.</MainText><OverallSummary></OverallSummary><Page>58</Page><ReviewScores><ReviewScore><Header>Graphics</Header><Score>3/5</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Addictiveness</Header><Score>2/5</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore><ReviewScore><Header>Overall</Header><Score>3/5</Score><Text></Text></ReviewScore></ReviewScores><ReviewerComments xmlns:d5p1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/2003/10/Serialization/Arrays" /><Reviewers /><ScreenshotText /><TranscriptBy>Chris Bourne</TranscriptBy></Review></Reviews><TitleName>Pole Position</TitleName><YearOfRelease>1984</YearOfRelease><ZxDbId>0003807</ZxDbId>