Racing video games are common in the market. But unlike most racing games, Spirit of Speed features vintage race cars. If you ever wonder what early auto racing was like, this game is a realistic example.
I remember playing this game on PC. Although I did get to play it, I sometimes experienced unwanted stuff like my car stopping permanently due running out of fuel which I knew nothing about because my copy did not come with instructions. I then got another copy, this time a complete set in a box. But by then, my PC, that could play the game, broke down completely, and my new PC at the time was incompatible.
Years later, I got myself a Dreamcast and the console's version of Spirit of Speed. Because my Dreamcast copy has instructions, I gained adequate knowledge of the game. As something a lot of gamers like to fuss about, the Dreamcast version has load times which are common in console games of the time. The load times are probably the main reason gamers judge this game for which is unjust. Well, if you're obsessive compulsive in any way, doing some rituals would help pass the load times.
As for the game, pretty decent. The visuals are standard, and the music fits the period of which the game is set. In most racing games, making sharp turns only requires letting go of the accelerator, and brakes are just for the pits. But in this game, some sharp turns require braking when approached. One bizarre thing about the game is the high difficulty of the AI. The computer opponents may mess up early in a race, but as the race progresses, they become significantly skilled, leaving no room for error for the player. If a computer opponent gets ahead of you, it's hard to tell if you'll ever catch up. Nonetheless, I find the game addicting, and I find riding through the scenic landscapes pleasant.
