|
Al Unser Jr.'s Turbo Racing is a Nintendo Entertainment System video game by Data East. It is mostly based off the 1988 Formula One season, although the schedule has been significantly altered. Although it stars famous racecar driver Al Unser Jr., he was a CART driver and never competed in Formula One.
The player either chooses exhibition mode or season mode. In season mode, the player will choose his or her name and livery. Al Unser Jr is a pre-created name and livery. The player will then qualify for the first race, one lap per session (as opposed to real sessions which go for several hours). After the qualifying results are displayed, the player can either pratcice, receive advice, or race. The player can choose from three different BGMs. Each race lasts ten laps, unlike real races which usually go for about three hours.
The cars are equipped with a boost system similar to KERS today. The player receives a fuel warning if the turbo is depleted, during which it is necessary that he or she pit for a refuel. Tires can also be changed if one is blown. Engine problems can also be repaired in the pits.
Although the box art depicts Unser's vehicle as being sponsored by Valvoline motor oil, no product placement appears in-game.
Pit stops do not affect the driver's position due to the race's short length.
The United States Grand Prix is held at the CART configuration of the Long Beach Street Circuit. F1 has not competed at Long Beach since the 1983 US Grand Prix West. Also, from 1989-1991 the USGP was held at the Phoenix Street Circuit (some modifications being made in 1991). Unser was very successful at Long Beach in the CART Series, explaining why the course was chosen.
The Austrian Grand Prix was not on the F1 schedule from 1988 to 1996. Also, the course is based on the old Zeltweg Airfield circuit used from 1963 to 1964.
Hermanos Rodriguez is based on an old layout no longer in use at the time of the game's release.
The Grand Prix of San Marino at Imola is not present on the schedule.
All circuits are 3.3 miles long. In reality, all circuits vary greatly in length.
Despite the oddities regarding the layouts, the low detail and third-person perspective make all the circuits look almost identical.
Schedule
- Autodromo Nelson Piquet- Brazil
- Jerez- Spain
- Hungaroring- Hungary
- Osterreichring- Austria
- Hockenheimring- West Germany
- Monaco
- Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez- Mexico
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve- Canada
- Circuit Paul Richard- France
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps- Belgium
- Circuit de Monza- Italy
- Autodromo do Estoril- Portugal
- Circuit de Suzuka- Japan
- Adelaide Street Circuit- Australia
- Silverstone- Britain
- Long Beach Street Circuit- US