Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge

Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge is among the most beloved racing games ever released for the Atari ST, and one of the reasons why many players associate this computer with a feeling of speed and adrenaline. The game puts players behind the wheel of a Lotus Esprit sports car and offers a series of tracks full of curves, oncoming traffic, and hazards that must be mastered within a time limit. The controls are straightforward and forgiving, so players quickly learn to hit the racing line, use the nitro boost on straights, and avoid collisions that can slow them down enough to miss a checkpoint. The game also offered a split-screen two-player mode, which was not a given for racing titles on eighteen-bit computers at the time and contributed to the game's popularity at gaming get-togethers.

Technically, the Atari ST version benefited from smooth scrolling backgrounds and legible graphics that felt fast and dynamic despite the platform's limitations. The atmosphere was strongly enhanced by energetic music accompanying the menus and the individual track sections, which became an inseparable part of the experience and which many players still remember today. The game relied on a simple but addictive game loop – the further a player progressed through the series of tracks, the more demanding and faster the races became. The game gave the player a limited supply of time, which could be extended by passing through checkpoints, keeping the tension high throughout the ride and forcing players to risk faster but more dangerous routes.

At the time of release, the game received very positive reception and became one of the most commercially successful titles for both the Atari ST and the competing Amiga. It launched a series of sequels and influenced numerous other arcade racing games on sixteen-bit platforms. Even today it is considered a prime example of how the simple principle of driving from point A to point B can be turned into maximum fun, and it remains among the titles retro gaming fans love to revisit, appearing on modern retro compilations as well.

Why play: For arcade racing fans who appreciate how the simple principle of driving from point A to point B can be turned into maximum fun — a title worth returning to.