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EXHAUST HEAT (SNES)
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a.k.a. F1 ROC: Race of Champions.
Publisher: Ocean Software. Developer: SETA. Released: 1992 (Europe). Genre: Racing. Posted 19th August 2024. By Tom Clare © 2024 |
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The Super Nintendo had an absolute boatload of Formula One games and one of the first to land in Europe was Exhaust Heat. Judged in the formidable shadow of F-Zero, this early Mode 7 speedster faced an uphill task to mark itself out for purchase. What we got was a fun if fleeting racer, one that easily outpaced the traditional, up-the-screen F1 titles that joined the SNES line-up during the period. No classic, then, but it remains an enjoyable (if ultimately simplistic) early 3D vision of the sport.
Based on the 1991 Formula One season, the player gets to challenge thinly disguised versions of Nigel Mansell (Manson), Ayrton Senna (Seth) and Alain Prost (Proteus). Their likenesses are further affirmed by the lovely animated podium scenes rolled out at the end of each race, whilst their cars also bear an uncanny resemblance to those competing in the real championship. With all 16 races from the season represented, the game may not carry official branding, but it does present itself with an authentic vibe. It’s a shame you can only race with the Flamingo team you start your career with, and there’s no option to work up into the top teams as in Super Monaco GP. To temper this, good results are rewarded with prize money that can be put towards permanent upgrades, with new engines granting higher top speeds and chassis upgrades typically resulting in better grip levels.
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The busiest you'll find Exhaust Heat is at the beginning of races. Here you can see some of the scaling issues, with a 'small' car nearer the back
How does it fair next to SEGA’s competing Ayrton Senna’s Super Monaco GP II, which was released during the summer of 1992? Well, in its favour, Exhaust Heat’s 3D effect is decent and an undoubted selling point in the early days of the platform. Whether feathering the throttle through speedy sweeps or slamming on the brakes for hairpins, the art of cornering feels more involved in three dimensions. That said, SMGPII exhibits more convincing scaling, a greater sense of speed and far more detailed course designs. Its races allow the player to challenge any of the other 15 drivers to a personal battle in an attempt to win their seat, and it’s likely the player will need at least a couple of seasons to be in the running to win the title. Though it was close, I was able to win Exhaust Heat’s championship at the first time of asking. This, coupled with the option to purchase tune-ups as you progress, means success soon feels like a formality as your lap times plummet.
EH features pretty attract screens, as it tries to emulate some of Super Monaco GP’s glitzy magic. As well as the usual glamour model shots and a snazzy (if rather overwhelming) 3D chequered flag effect on the title screen, it’s the car setup screen that’s the real highlight. Making changes sees your vehicle being deconstructed and reassembled piece by piece, which is really satisfying. The same can be said of the superbly animated pit-stops which, in a curious parallel with SMGP, are rendered somewhat redundant by the brevity of races where there’s no call for fuel or a change of tyres.
EH features pretty attract screens, as it tries to emulate some of Super Monaco GP’s glitzy magic. As well as the usual glamour model shots and a snazzy (if rather overwhelming) 3D chequered flag effect on the title screen, it’s the car setup screen that’s the real highlight. Making changes sees your vehicle being deconstructed and reassembled piece by piece, which is really satisfying. The same can be said of the superbly animated pit-stops which, in a curious parallel with SMGP, are rendered somewhat redundant by the brevity of races where there’s no call for fuel or a change of tyres.
FOCAL POINT: ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
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Racing games have a long and storied history of unusual cheats, unlockables and otherwise strange phenomena, and Exhaust Heat is part of this proud tradition. Entering your name as CASINO before the Monaco GP round of the championship will result in a rather snazzy fruit machine. The player can, if they so choose, gamble their prize money in the hope of hitting the jackpot. Nothing fancy, but a neat touch. Naming your profile SOUND will unlock an audio test, though given how ubiquitous such a feature was amongst games of the time, it’s not really clear why this was hidden.
SETA’s racer acts as a helpful yardstick for the early pros and cons of Mode 7 in the racing genre. The handling is responsive, the action rarely lags, and the rotation of the scenery when cornering is both smooth and convincing. However, as was a criticism with F-Zero, all of the circuits are pan-flat and desperately sparse. A lack of elevation change costs the game some excitement, especially when racing at locations such as Spa. Courses are featureless to the point of bland, with forgettable 2D backdrops coexisting with circuit spaces that tend to vary in little more than the colour of their run-off areas. Tracks with iconic or distinctive features predictably suffer the most: street tracks drive barely any differently to purpose-built circuits, whilst Monaco feels completely wrong. Flat, wide roads, a complete absence of track-side furniture, and the lack of a tunnel result in an entirely disappointing reimagining of the jewel in F1’s crown.
Exhaust Heat also struggles on the visual front. Cars look small and unimpressive, with super-simplistic animations making their cornering behaviour seem detached and unconvincing. Sprite scaling fares badly, with opponents clumsily oscillating in size and bobbing around in front of the player in a distracting manner. The knock-on is that overtaking can be a real hindrance as judging proximity to other cars is often difficult. It’s possible to plough into competitors, instigating a depressingly elongated spin-and-crash animation. There are only seven opponents to battle against, and as a consequence, the player is often denied the fun of working through the field, with races often feeling a bit lonely. The music does better, with exciting menu tunes evocative of nineties TV motoring themes, whilst the fairly dull engine drones are saved by a nice touch that sees the pitch change as you move from low-end V8s to the powerful V12s.
Exhaust Heat also struggles on the visual front. Cars look small and unimpressive, with super-simplistic animations making their cornering behaviour seem detached and unconvincing. Sprite scaling fares badly, with opponents clumsily oscillating in size and bobbing around in front of the player in a distracting manner. The knock-on is that overtaking can be a real hindrance as judging proximity to other cars is often difficult. It’s possible to plough into competitors, instigating a depressingly elongated spin-and-crash animation. There are only seven opponents to battle against, and as a consequence, the player is often denied the fun of working through the field, with races often feeling a bit lonely. The music does better, with exciting menu tunes evocative of nineties TV motoring themes, whilst the fairly dull engine drones are saved by a nice touch that sees the pitch change as you move from low-end V8s to the powerful V12s.
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Races can get rather lonely, but the driving aspect is still fun
The lack of a two-player mode is forgivable during a period when only Super Mario Kart was proffering the idea amongst Mode 7 games, and few of its contemporary F1 rivals were providing multiplayer options, even on rival systems. However, the lack of difficulty levels is a problem because more seasoned players will breeze through Exhaust Heat in a handful of sessions. Chasing records may see you return occasionally, but a lack of distinctive tracks, as well as the ease with which you’ll ultimately win most races, is likely to see it relegated to the shelf after just a few hours of play. A fun racer that will satisfy fans of the genre, though the Super Nintendo would ultimately be blessed with many alternatives of greater substance.
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VERDICT
"A fun if fleeting early Formula One game for the SNES. Solid handling and a decent sense of speed are tempered by underwhelming graphics and a difficulty level that's too gentle to provide longer-term play."
OVERALL: 6/10 |
OTHER 16-BIT FORMULA ONE RACING GAMES REVIEWED
Super Monaco GP (1991, Mega Drive)
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Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge (1992, Mega Drive)
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