Chequered Flag - Atari Jaguar

Back in 1994, 3D graphics were new in console gaming. Developers were keen to explore the possibilities of games that existed in fully 3D environments and the Atari Jaguar was one of the only consoles available at the time that was marginally successful at creating true 3D games. The result of this was a whole slew of what I believe are experimental games, exploring the potential of polygons. Chequered Flag is one such game (see also Iron Soldier, Cybermorph and Club Drive) and was Atari's answer to Sega's championed 3D racer of the same era, Virtua Racing.

The different between Chequered Flag and Virtua Racing doesn't seem that great at first glance - they are both polygon based racers with pretty basic visuals. Delve deeper though, and you'll find that Chequered Flag is nowhere near the standard set by Sega's legendary game.

The reason for this is that it is way too limited. There are more tracks than Virtua Racing, but that is irrelevant when none of them have any character - they all look identical and one of them, imaginatively titled 'The Hole' is just one big tunnel. Some of the circuits are set in different locales such as the Arctic and a desert, but they're hardly what you'd expect in a formula one game (and check out the MASSIVE penguins on the arctic stage!).

More limited is the choice of F1 cars - there is only one to choose, but with alternative colours. The vehicle set up is all done from one screen - the main menu, and set up is no more taxing than choosing whether you have a big spoiler or a small one (not that it makes any difference). Car handling is woefully slow with loads of over steer making it nigh on impossible to complete a lap without hitting the grass or a wall (and then you are treated to a comedy roll). And what's with the stupid screen effect when you go around a corner? The whole screen 'leans' over to create the impression of speed I guess, but it just serves to annoy after a while. Chequered flag was a brave attempt at emulating Virtua Racing, but ultimately falls flat on it's backside due to serious design flaws. And the fact that it is about as much fun as rolling naked in a patch of nettles.