Game Review: Formula 1 Simulator (ZX Spectrum, Mastertronic)

Formula One Simulator gives the player a choice to either Practice or Qualify/Race on ten different circuits.  After choosing whether to use the keyboard, a range of joysticks or even a steering wheel (more about that later), you’ll then be able to select a track that you wish to compete on.

To begin with, you will see the name of a circuit at the top of the screen and an image of that circuit below.  This will give you an idea of how many straights, twists and turns there are and unlike modern games, there is no unlocking codes required to start on any of these.  Just choose at will.  Pressing N moves from one track to another or pressing T chooses that track.

The tracks are Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Monaco, Hockenheim, Osterreichring, Kyalami, Zolder, Paul Ricard, Monza and Zandvoort.

Configuring The Gear Selection and Race Conditions

After choosing your racing circuit, you will be asked three questions selected by pressing the relevant key on the keyboard.

The first is Auto (A) or Manual (M) gears, Wet (W) or Dry (D) and Practice (P) or Quality/Race (Q).

Graphics

The loading screen is very good with a very large well-drawn Formula 1 racing towards you.  The word Formula looks like it is going to screech away as it is neatly slanted in red and yellow leaving a trail of lines to the left of it giving the emphasis on speed.  There is also a Mastertronic logo in the top-left hand corner (read below why that is interesting).

It would be extremely scary to be the driver of this car as the steering wheel section at the bottom of the screen doesn’t turn resulting in the wheel and gloves always facing straight.  When you are near to a racing car, you will see them appear in the mirrors though.

There is no chequered flag at the beginning and the only indication is that the border changes from red to black before you can start to qualify/practice or race. If you skid of the road, you will see a few jagged lines.

Not Much Happens

There are long moments where you are driving along before you reach the next bend.  Although this may sound reasonable from the start, even when going around 150 mph, it can also seem the same (only difference being you will see the side of the track parts move past quicker).  It isn’t that enjoyable though until you do finally get to a bend.

The signs on the side of the road are useful.  You will see signs with 3 lines, 2 lines and then 1 line to give you an indication that the next turn is coming up.  It does at least get you ready for steering (other than just in a straight line!)

Playability

There are five gears and if you go over 9900 revs in one of the gears, a red box will appear so quickly change gear of slow down.  Automatic gears obviously do this for you.

Steering is reasonable but going too fast will result in coming off the track.  Getting around other racing cars isn’t too bad either but a collision results in you crashing your car. When choosing wet conditions, turning is slightly more difficult.

Sound Effects Only

A few notes sound after loading the first short basic header chunk.

There is no music in the game but there are a few sounds during the game.  The most obvious one is the engine revving noises and although simple, is rather effective.  If you turn get near to the edge of the track, you will start hearing what I would call higher pitched tick-tock sounds.

Finally, if you crash off the track, you’ll hear a zip-zapping type sound.

Note of Interest

The game is a re-release of Spirit Software’s Formula One.  An optional hardware extra that you could purchase from Spirit Software was a Steering Wheel.  Although, I’ve never seen this myself, the way the steering wheel apparently worked was by rolling it over the top row of the keyboard.  One famous Spectrum magazine even went as far as describing it as a “Yellow Ashtray” (which I find highly amusing!)

The inlay instructions describe it as follows:

Steering wheel – Use a sellotape tin or similar object, about 4½” in diameter and 1” deep, hold it at the top and position it at the centre of the top row of keys so that it nestles against the ridge at the back.  Roll it with moderate pressure to steer.  To begin with, a rocking motion on the wheel may help you get the feel of the car.

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