AL82 Retrogaming Longplays | Crazy Cars III Longplay (Amiga) [QHD] @AL82RetrogamingLongplays | Uploaded 2 months ago | Updated 2 hours ago
Game Info
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Developer: Titus Software
Publisher: Titus Software
Year of Release: 1992

Game Review & Impressions
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The last of what I'd consider "the big three" when it comes to racing games on the Amiga, Crazy Cars III is the third entry in the much maligned series. Given that the first two games were so poorly received, it's surprising Titus didn't jettison the Crazy Cars brand from the outset. They eventually rebranded and relaunched the game under the moniker "Lamborghini: American Challenge" in 1993, throwing in a multiplayer mode for good measure. However, Crazy Cars III is the original incarnation and the version I owned, so I wanted to longplay this version first.

The objective of the game is to compete in a series of head-to-head races across the United States, earning cash to enter additional races, upgrade your vehicle, and purchase an entry pass into the divisional championship race. Starting in division 4 and ending in division 1, you'll need supreme driving skills and a hot-rod to match, as you take on championship competitors, local petrolheads, not to mention state police and highway patrol cars ready to pounce on anyone breaking the speed limit. Entering a race featuring named drivers gives you a chance to earn extra cash by betting cash on who'll come first. Opponents will be less inclined to throw down bets if your ride is tricked out with all the upgrades, but bagging the pot is a nice top-up to whatever winnings you earn from the race itself.

The cycle of winning races to earn cash to upgrade your car is pretty addictive, and there's considerable variety in the number of races to enter, environments to drive, and hazards to encounter. The underlying racing engine and controls are excellent, equal to the best on the Amiga, although the way your car drifts through corners takes some getting used to. It's also a bit of a slow-burn - it isn't until you've unlocked better tyres and faster top speed that the game really comes into its own; the game is a real blast from division 3 onward.

Although Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 remains the pinnacle of Amiga driving games in terms of refinement, Crazy Cars III has the most longevity by far. It looks great, runs exceptionally well on a 1MB A500, and is just brilliant fun. Watch closely, and you'll notice the horizon raise pixel-by-pixel as you progress through each race, conveying the sense that you're actually getting closer to whatever is in the distance; an exceptionally neat touch. Being saddled with the Crazy Cars brand was a complete disservice to one of the best racing games on the machine - it's a technically accomplished title, up there with the best of them - go play it!

Chapters
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00:00 Intro
01:45 Division 4
46:36 Division 3
1:14:11 Division 2
1:39:21 Division 1
2:05:42 Final race
2:07:01 Ending