Fourteen one- and two-player racing games and variations. Steer your car around one of the many tracks, racing around hairpin turns to get to the finish line before your opponent.
About the Game
Taking a lot of inspiration from Sprint and Sprint 2, Indy 500 premiered on the Atari 2600 in 1977. Instead of ranking you by your skill, however, this game took fun to a different level. Indy 500 had some differences from its arcade counterpart, which made it even more valuable as far as gameplay goes.
With 14 one- and two-player games, Indy 500 brought a lot of life to this age of Atari consoles. Steering around hairpin turns and competing against both friends and time, the game served up a degree of difficulty and challenge that resulted in playing the game repeatedly.
The game shipped in a large box in order to accommodate the specialized racing controllers that allowed for a more remote control-like experience with precise steering. Whether you were battling against your friends or the clock, Indy 500 was a game that kept many fans entertained for hours on end.
Object of the Game
In 1-player time trial games, you race against the clock to see how many laps you can make around the track in 60 seconds. During 2-player games, you race against another player to be the first one to complete 25 laps.
In 1-player games, a player has 60 seconds to make as many hits as possible. In 2-player games, the first player to score 50 points wins.
How to Play
Race Car
Whether you compete against the clock or another player, your racecar tackles the curves of some dangerous tracks. During one-player games, you can race against the clock using the left controller to move the car. The top-left number on the playfield indicates the number of laps, while the top-right number shows the time.
In two-player games, players race against each other. The top two numbers represent the number of laps each player completes. The right score refers to the right controller player; the left number shows the left controller player’s score.
You’ll hear the engines when they accelerate, and the CRASH when your car crashes into the opponent’s car or playfield boundaries.
Car races begin at the starting line. Then, get ready, get set… GO!
Game 1: Grand Prix Track
Hang onto your hats as you round the turns on this track. You’re racing against an opponent who’s out to complete 25 laps first to be the winner. Give him a run for his money!
Game 2: Grand Prix Race Track (Time Trial)
Race against the clock on the Grand Prix track. You have 60 seconds to complete as many laps as possible. Try to beat your last record. This serves as great practice for races against opponents on this track.
Game 3: Devil’s Elbow Track
There are some wicked turns to master in order to conquer this track. At high speed, you race against an opponent. Faster and faster you go to be the first to complete 25 laps.
Game 4: Devil’s Elbow Track (Time Trial)
It’s a race against the devil as you practice for those competitive races. Race against the clock and try to complete as many laps as possible in 60 seconds.
Crash n’ Score
Score points by crashing! Each player controls one racecar using a hand-held controller. The white square is your target. When it appears on the playfield, racecars attempt to crash into it. When the crash occurs, a player scores one point and the square disappears.
The square reappears at random on another part of the playfield. Hear the engines roar and the CRASH when your car collides with the opponent’s car. A “BEEP” indicates when a point is scored.
Move your car off any side of the playfield to make it reappear on the opposite side. For example, steer the car off the top of the playfield and it will reappear at the bottom of the playfield. This feature is one strategy to use to reach the square first!
Cars are color coordinated with the scores at the top of the field. The score at the right refers to the right controller player; the left number shows the left controller player’s score.
Game 5: Crash n’ Score® I Track
In two-player games, players compete for crashes with the box. The first player to score 50 hits wins the game.
Game 6: Crash ‘n Score® I Track (Time Trial)
A single player races against the clock to score as many hits as possible in 60 seconds. The top-left number is the number of hits; the top-right number shows the time.
Game 7: Crash n’ Score® II Track
Two players move at high speeds to be the first to score 50 hits. The playfield is more complex, as it contains six treacherous barriers!
Game 8: Crash n’ Score® II (Time Trial)
One player drives at high speed against the clock. The player’s objective is to score as many hits as possible in 60 seconds while avoiding six treacherous barriers.
Tag
Two players take part in a regular game of tag. Each player controls one car; the car that is NOT blinking is “it.”
When your car is blinking, you must avoid becoming tagged by your opponent’s car. Score one point for every second you avoid being tagged.
The two numbers at the top of the playfield represent each player’s score.
Game 9: Tag – Barrier Chase Track
The first player to tally 99 points wins the game.
Game 10: Tag – Motor Hunt Track
The first player to tally 99 points on this complicated playfield wins. The racecars move at high speed.
Ice Race
Cars race around the icy track and compete against each other or the clock. The ice makes steering on the track difficult.
In two-player games, players race against each other. The top two numbers represent the number of laps each player has completed. The right score refers to the right controller player; the left number shows the left controller player’s score.
During one-player time trial games, the player uses the left controller to race against the clock. The top left number is the number of laps, while the top-right number is the time.
You’ll hear the engines when they accelerate and the CRASH when your car collides with the opponent’s car or playfield boundaries.
Game 11: Ice Sprint Race Track
Punch the engines on the straightaway and be cautious on the curves while trying to be the first one to complete 25 laps.
Game 12: Ice Sprint Track (Time Trial)
Get the feel of the track while racing against the clock. Your goal? To complete as many laps as possible in 60 seconds.
Game 13: Ice Rally Track
Your racecar is moving at high speed on an icy track as you maneuver those sharp turns to beat your opponent. The first player to complete 25 laps claims victory.
Game 14: Ice Rally Track (Time Trial)
The seconds tick away as you attempt to complete as many laps as possible in 60 seconds.
Controller Action
In all the racing games, use the knob on the top of your controller to steer the racecar on the playfield. The red button on the side of the controller acts as the accelerator.
Game Difficulty
Slide the Difficulty Switch from the B to the A position and your racecar travels at high speed, making it more difficult to control.
Game Options
|
Track |
Game # |
# Players |
|
Grand Prix |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
1 |
|
|
Devil’s Elbow |
3 |
2 |
|
4 |
1 |
|
|
Crash n’ Score I |
5 |
2 |
|
6 |
1 |
|
|
Crash n’ Score II |
7 |
2 |
|
8 |
1 |
|
|
Tag - Barrier Chase |
9 |
2 |
|
Tag - Motor Hunt |
10 |
2 |
|
Ice Sprint |
11 |
2 |
|
12 |
1 |
|
|
Ice Rally |
13 |
2 |
|
14 |
1 |
Number of Players
During 1-player games, you race against a 60-second clock. Depending on the Time Trial, you must complete as many laps—or score as many points—as possible. In 2-player games (except Tag), you and an opponent race to complete a set number of laps. During games of Tag, the goal is to score 99 points.
Scoring
In games of Crash n’ Score, a player scores one point each time his racecar crashes into a white square.
During two-player Tag games, you score one point for each second you avoid being tagged by your opponent.
During all game types, you only lose time—not points—when you crash into any playfield boundary or barrier.