Overview and Gameplay
Four off-road trucks squeeze around compact stadium courses filled with jumps, mud, puddles, barriers, and collisions. Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road is Rare’s NES conversion of Leland Corporation’s 1989 arcade racer. Each event lasts four laps, with eight tracks driven in both directions for 16 configurations.
Finishing position and track pickups provide cash for the Speed Shop. Players can improve tires, shocks, acceleration, and top speed, or stock up on nitro. A championship begins with three lives: winning restores one, while fourth place removes one. Success depends on controlling slides, spending prize money wisely, and saving boosts for useful moments.
Controls And Mechanics
- Use the directional pad to steer through each overhead course.
- Hold A to accelerate and press B while accelerating to spend one nitro unit.
- Start pauses a race, while Select chooses highlighted menu and shop options.
- One or two players can race simultaneously with standard controllers. NES Four Score and NES Satellite accessories expand competition to four players, with computer trucks filling unused positions.
Version Notes
The NES release contains the original eight-track set rather than the arcade Track Pak additions. It has no battery-backed saving, so championship progress and high scores disappear when the system is switched off.
Release And Credits
- NES release: 1990
- NES conversion: Rare Limited
- US publisher: Tradewest
- Original arcade game: Leland Corporation, 1989
