Lethal Crash Race

Overview

Lethal Crash Race (known in Japan as Bakuretsu Crash Race) is a top-down vertical-scrolling street racing game developed and released by Video System (Mc O'River in North America) for arcades in 1993.

In Lethal Crash Race, players drive one-on-one street races around the world in one of 10 cars (all of which are based on real-life vehicles) to earn money (which are used both for score and for repairing between races).

It features a fast-paced over-the-top setting, where players can crash into things and still continue forward with a minor slowdown (although they will fail the race if they take too much damage). Similar to rally racing games, the game includes indicators showing what type of curve is up ahead. Also, similar to the head-to-head mode in Micro Machines, both players in multiplayer races remain on the screen at all times, and players who fall behind get bumped forward (while crashing, causing them to take damage).

Similar to Aero Fighters, the game includes a colorful cast of characters, some of which are comical (such as an elderly racer and a muscular man wearing nothing but a cape and a thong). One of these racers, the duo Ellen & Cindy, later appeared as regulars in the Aero Fighters series.

Vehicles

The game includes 10 vehicles to choose from, each with their own corresponding driver. All cars are based on real-life vehicles, but with names altered to prevent licensing fees.

• Honta SNX-R - Driven by Takashi "Taka" Uesugi.
• Shevy Cortette RZ-1 - Driven by Billy the Bronco.
• Lanborjini Daiblo - Driven by Ellen & Cindy (Cynthia in the JP version).
• Pherari 521TR - Driven by Gianluigi Conte.
• Masda~efin RX-78 - Driven by Kyoshiro Ichijoji.
• Borsche 969 - Driven by Albert von Gourmand.
• Dadge Vipre TR/10 - Driven by Tan.
• Lotas Super77 - Driven by Masako (Emma in the JP version). Unlike other vehicles, this one is a vintage sports car (based on the Lotus Super 7).
• Mitsuboshi Pahero Protoype 1991 - Driven by Carlos. Unlike other vehicles, this one is a rally-racing SUV (based on the Mitsubishi Pajero).
• Mursedes-Banz 6000SEL - Driven by Dragon (Ryūko in the Japanese version). Unlike other vehicles, this one is a longer four-door sedan (based on the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL).