Thrash Rally

Game Details:

This title stood out in the arcades of the mid-to-late '90s. Instead of blindly chasing the 3D trend, it pushed 2D sprite-scaling technology to its absolute limits. The game's handling is incredibly smooth, and the sense of weight shift and powersliding when cornering is vividly conveyed. The game features not only complex terrain like mud, ice, and puddles, but also a variety of dynamic obstacles. Each stage features energetic co-driver voice cues that help players anticipate upcoming turns. Although the stages aren't particularly long, the performance differences between cars and the variety of route choices give the game immense replay value.

Game Guide:

• Choosing the right car is the first step to success. The Subaru is generally well-balanced, making it ideal for beginners to get used to the handling, while the Mitsubishi excels in acceleration, perfect for advanced players aiming for the best times.
• Mastering the concept of 'early turn-in' is crucial. Because the game uses an isometric perspective, your field of view is relatively limited, so you must always pay attention to the arrow icons at the top of the screen. When you hear the co-driver call out the direction of a turn, adjust your car's orientation immediately. On tarmac, it's best to use short, quick steering inputs to maintain speed. However, on gravel or mud, you should jerk the wheel hard right as you enter the corner to induce a powerslide, using the slide angle to navigate sharp turns quickly.
• Make smart use of shortcuts. On most tracks, the guardrails are not completely sealed. Look for gaps between grassy areas or buildings; cutting across the grass can often save several seconds compared to following the main path. But be aware that your speed will drop when you enter grass or mud, so it's best to do this only when you have enough initial velocity.
• Dealing with obstacles and terrain hazards. When you encounter puddles or oil slicks on the road, your car's grip will be lost instantly. At this moment, remember not to steer sharply; try to keep the car straight as you pass through. When approaching a jump ramp, make sure your car is perpendicular to the ramp. Otherwise, losing control upon landing will cost you significant time. In Championship Mode, passing through checkpoints consistently is more important than blindly chasing the fastest lap time.