Arctic Thunder

Overview

Arctic Thunder is an over-the-top snowmobile combat racing game developed and released by Midway for arcades (using their PC-based Graphite hardware) on November 2000.

One of the final arcade games released by Midway, Arctic Thunder is a follow-up to the 1999 game Hydro Thunder, putting a fast-paced, over-the-top, arcade feel to real-life snowmobile racing. In addition to unrealistic physics, turbo boost power-ups, and exotic locales, the game features combat racing, with racers launching missiles at each-other and attempting well-timed melee strikes (similar to the Road Rash series).

The game's dedicated sit-down arcade cabinet features shaker bench seats to simulate the feel of riding a snowmobile and includes a built-in fan to blow bursts of cold air at players in opportune times. Up to four can be linked together for multiplayer. It later received an update in May 2004, known as Ultimate Arctic Thunder, adding some tracks and riders from the home release.

The game later received home conversions by Inland Productions for both the PlayStation 2 (on September 17, 2001) and Xbox (on November 15, 2001). These versions include several new game modes, split-screen multiplayer, a sled upgrading system, unlockable riders, and unlockable tracks.

Gameplay

In Arctic Thunder, up to 4 players can race across a snowmobile course littered with powerups and obstacles. The courses are done in an over-the-top style and several are (loosely) modeled after real-life locations, like Chernobyl and Washington, D.C. Players can acquire powerup items to harm other players and advance themselves. They also have a boost bar which can be used to increase their speed. Players can also kick and punch people who are next to them.

Tracks

• Lost Himalayan City (Easy)
• Chernobyl Meltdown (Easy)
• Blizzard in DC (Medium)
• Swiss Alps (Medium)
• Haunted Forest (Hard)
• Alaskan Pipeline (Hard)

The following were added as unlockables in the home versions:

• Winter Sports Park (Hard)
• Logging Run (Hard)
• UFO Encounter (Hard)
• Great Wall Of China (Hard)
• Atlantis (Hard)
• Thrill Chill Funpark (Hard)

Both Winter Sports Park and Logging Run were later brought back to arcades in the Ultimate version.

Drivers

Each driver has three corresponding stats: Attack, Defense, and Handling.

• Dirty McCurdy (red)
• Mai Zhou Lin (green)
• Agent 5 (blue)
• Willie Quinn (yellow)
• Ponzo (teal)
• Candy (pink)

The following were added as unlockables in the home versions:

• Coco-Z
• Shadow
• Smokey Jones
• Indigo
• Sergeant Thud
• Brittney Blaze
• Scotty McDougal
• Louie Rocco
• Jacque Rocket
• Zack Warhead
• Randy Rancid
• Sven Thorson
• Mr. Flakey

Both Mr. Flakey and Coco-Z were later brought back to arcades in the Ultimate version.