280 ZZZAP
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Jamie Fenton |
| Products | Arcade racing video game |
| Parent | Dave Nutting Associates |
280 ZZZAP is an arcade-style racing video game created by Jamie Fenton under the development of Dave Nutting Associates. Inspired by the Nissan Datsun 280Z, it stands out as one of the first titles to feature officially licensed branding.
Gameplay
Participants control a vehicle on a demanding nighttime circuit, maneuvering through tight corners, competing against aggressive opponents, and racing against a limited time frame.
Release
At the AMOA exhibition in November 1976, Midway presented this title under the name Midnight Racer, often likened to Atari's Night Driver. Both games have their origins in the German release Nürburgring 1 from early 1976. Prior to its launch in February 1977, the game was renamed 280 ZZZAP to align with Nissan’s promotional efforts for the Datsun 280Z in the United States.
Reception
In 1977, 280 ZZZAP achieved notable commercial success, securing the ninth position on the US Play Meter arcade earnings chart and tenth place on the RePlay arcade revenue list. In Japan, it ranked within the top 20 highest-grossing arcade games according to Game Machine.