Top Gear Overdrive
| Top Gear OverDrive | |
|---|---|
 North American Nintendo 64 cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Snowblind Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Kemco |
| Composer(s) | Grindstone |
| Series | Top Gear |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) |
Single player Multiplayer |
Top Gear Overdrive is a racing game released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 and the sequel to Top Gear Rally. The game has support for high-resolution graphics if used with the Expansion Pak and features music from the band Grindstone.
Gameplay
In the main mode of play, the player races through six seasons, each season containing more races from more tracks, with faster cars competing.
At the beginning of the race the player starts at the back of the grid at the start line. Computer players at the front of the grid often start one-third of the way around the first lap. Players start with three charges of nitrous oxide, which are used to give the player a temporary speed boost.
While racing, the player can pick up two power-ups: nitrous oxide and cash. The nitrous oxide can be used straight away, while the cash is added to the winnings at the end of the race and used for buying upgrades to the player's car.
Shortcuts are available on each track, and often the use of these decide the outcome of the races, particularly in later seasons.
At the end of each race the player is presented with a screen to allow for various upgrades to their car, such as to acceleration and handling. The player is also able to change their car for a better (or worse) vehicle and can buy extra nitrous oxide to use in the next race.
At the end of the season, if the player places fourth or better in all of that season's tracks, they are allowed to progress to the next season.
Tracks
- Frigid Peaks
- Fertile Canyon
- Swampy Depot
- Downtown
- Sandy Beaches
- Space Truckin'
In later seasons all of the above tracks, with the exception of Space Truckin', are available mirrored and/or with a variety of weather conditions, such as snowing, thunder, and night time. As the player unlocks additional tracks, they will become available in all of the other game modes, except for Space Truckin', which can only be played in the main championship mode.
Cars
None of the cars in Top Gear Overdrive actually have real names, instead having a codename. However, the cars do bear striking resemblances to the following real world cars:
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Mitsubishi Eclipse
- Jeep Wrangler
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Viper
- Hummer H1
- Porsche 911 Turbo
- Ferrari F40
- Chrysler Jeep Jeepster (Prototype)
- McLaren F1
Further "cars" can be unlocked by beating all six of the seasons in championship mode, including:
- A Nintendo 64 logo
- A Hotdog
- A Nintendo Power car
- A Donkey in a glass box
- A Taco
Soundtrack
The majority of the music tracks were written and performed by Grindstone.