I saw the thread about the book "Hard Driving" and it instantly reminded me of my all-time favorite arcade game: "Hard Drivin'". Or maybe it's "Race Drivin'", whichever came out in 1990 with the four selectable cars.
There is, to me, no better arcade game than that. It's how I learned to drive a car with a proper transmission (OK, it's how I learned to drive).
In 1990, I was 5. My mom used to take me to the Hunt Valley Mall for shopping and I'd endure whatever we needed to do (I hated clothes shopping--and still do). Her end of the bargain was to take me to the arcade (Which I called "Video Games House"--I was a cute kid).
The only game I ever wanted to play was this one. They had the full-cabinet version and the smaller bench version (which was tucked away in the back). I always played the full version, of course. I have only faint memories of what that mall looked like back then and only a dark, foggy recollection of that arcade, but I remember this game cabinet and I remember exactly where it was. I also remember that it was frequently broken, but I didn't care.
She knew back then that I was going to be a car freak and probably end up racing cars.
I want to buy a full version of the 1990 game. A local pizza joint has a messed up version of the small bench game, but it's probably not for sale. Anyone ever buy an arcade game? How do I pick one up?
Best Game Ever.
