Chase H.Q.

Chase H.Q.
Industry	Video games
Founded	1988
Founder	Taito
Products	Vehicular combat racing game

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Chase H.Q., available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025

Chase H.Q. is a vehicular combat racing title initially launched as an arcade game by Taito in 1988. Regarded as the spiritual follow-up to Taito's Full Throttle, players take on the role of Tony Gibson, a police officer from the "Chase Special Investigation Department," tasked with pursuing criminals in high-speed pursuits while driving a black Porsche 928.

In 1989, Ocean Software adapted the game for various home computer platforms including ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MSX, Amiga, and Atari ST. Subsequently, Taito released official versions for several consoles: Family Computer (1989), Game Boy (1990), Master System (1990), TurboGrafx-16 (1990), Game Gear (1991), and Sega Saturn (1996). The title was also featured in the Japanese PlayStation 2 compilation Taito Memories II Volume 2 in 2007.

From a commercial standpoint, Chase H.Q. was the top-grossing dedicated arcade game in Japan during 1989 and enjoyed robust sales internationally across both arcade and home systems. It garnered favorable reviews and led to three arcade sequels: Special Criminal Investigation (1989), Super Chase H.Q. (1992), and Chase H.Q. 2 (2007). Additionally, two spin-offs emerged: Crime City (1989) and Quiz H.Q. (1990).

Gameplay

At the onset of each stage, players are briefed on their target—a criminal attempting to escape—and must capture them before the countdown ends. Failing to maintain speed or crashing allows the suspect to flee. Players encounter forked roads where selecting the correct route is essential to avoid losing time. Once alongside the target's vehicle, players must repeatedly ram it until it halts, enabling an arrest.

The game features five stages with initial and extension time limits ranging from 60 to 70 seconds. Communications from headquarters employ radio frequencies within the 144–148 MHz amateur band.

In terms of technology, Chase H.Q. surpasses Sega's Out Run by incorporating enhanced perspective effects, elevation changes, and branching track paths.

The arcade adversaries include:

1. Ralph, known as the Idaho Slasher (White Lotus Esprit)

2. Carlos, an armed robber from New York (Yellow Lamborghini Countach)

3. Chicago-based drug dealers (Silver Porsche 911)

4. A kidnapper operating in Los Angeles (Blue Ferrari 288 GTO)

5. An unidentified Eastern Bloc spy (Red Porsche 928)

Successfully completing a stage without using continues awards a bonus of 100,000 points multiplied by the level number; otherwise, players receive 10,000 points plus an additional 5,000 points per second remaining. Finishing the entire game grants a substantial reward of five million points.

Ports and related releases

Ocean Software brought Chase H.Q. to home computers including ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari ST in December 1989; meanwhile, the MSX edition was released in Spain in February 1990.

Taito developed official ports under the name Taito Chase H.Q. for platforms such as Family Computer (1989), Game Boy (1990/91), Master System (1990), TurboGrafx-16 (1990), and Game Gear (1991). In 1992, a sequel titled Chase H.Q. II (known as Super H.Q. in Japan) was launched for the Genesis console featuring minor gameplay adjustments and alternative vehicles.

The game appeared in Commodore 64 compilations like Wheels Of Fire (December 1990) and Power Up (June 1991), alongside titles such as Hard Drivin and Altered Beast.

Additional releases include versions for FM Towns in 1991 and a Super NES adaptation called Super Chase H.Q. in 1993, which introduced first-person perspective gameplay inspired by Super Chase: Criminal Termination. The PAL edition was exclusive to Australia; meanwhile, a North American-only Game Boy version followed in 1994.

In 1996, Taito emulated the original arcade version for Japan's Sega Saturn system as part of a package that included Special Criminal Investigation.

Later entries encompass Chase H.Q. Secret Police for Game Boy Color released in 2000 and a TurboGrafx-16 re-release via Wii Virtual Console in 2008.

A spin-off titled Crime City launched in 1989 shifted gameplay from third-person driving to side-scrolling shooter mechanics.

Reception

Reviews from the period
Review ratings
Source	Ratings
Source	Arcade	Computer	Console	Handheld
ACE	Favorable	840 (AMI) 868 (ZX)	928 (PCE)
Computer + Video Games	Positive	93% (AMI) 93% (ST) 97% (ZX) 36% (C64) 97% (CPC)	86% (SMS)	31% (GB) 90% (GG)
Crash		95% (ZX)
Famitsu			24/40 (Famicom) 18/40 (SMD) 30/40 (PCE)	23/40 (GG)
Génération 4 [fr]		92% (AMI) 92% (ST)	85% (PCE)
Joystick		92% (AMI) 92% (CPC) 90% (ST)	89% (PCE) 93% (SMS)	83% (GG)
Sinclair User	9/10	96% (ZX)
The Games Machine		840/1000 (AMI) 868/1000 (ZX)
Tilt			Template:Rating (SMS)
Your Sinclair		94% (ZX)
Commodore User	9/10	70% (AMI)

! colspan=5 | Honors |}

Source	Awards received

[[{{{1}}}\|Gamest Awards]] []	Ranked as the "Hit Game of the Year" at tenth position
Golden Joystick Awards	Best conversion of an 8-bit coin-op, Best soundtrack on an 8-bit system
Your Sinclair	Voted as the "Readers' Top Game of All Time," also recognized as a Megagame
Computer and Video Games	Awarded C+VG Hit status
Crash	Earned Crash Smash distinction
Sinclair User	Designated SU Classic

Commercial

When it debuted in arcades, the publication Game Machine [ja] listed Chase H.Q. as the second highest-grossing upright arcade cabinet in Japan for November of 1988. It went on to become the top-earning dedicated arcade title in Japan throughout the year of 1989. In the UK market, it secured the position of leading coin-operated arcade game.

During the Christmas season of 1989, versions for home computers dominated the UK sales charts. The ZX Spectrum edition climbed to number two in early 1990, trailing only behind Rainbow Islands.

Critical

The arcade edition was met with widespread critical praise. The magazine Computer and Video Games described it as a "fast and challenging" racing experience featuring "excellent graphics" and "clear sound effects," ultimately deeming it "definitely a winner." In their review, ACE emphasized its enhanced take on the Out Run style and regarded it superior to comparable games, highlighting how its combination of driving and action formed a "winning coin-up formula." According to Crash, it represented "the ultimate arcade realization of cops-and-robbers cinema." Additionally, Arcade History credited it as possibly the first sprite-scaling racer after Out Run to captivate a broad audience.

Home computer adaptations generally received favorable assessments. The Amiga and Atari ST editions for the 16-bit platforms were praised positively, while the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC versions for the 8-bit systems achieved high marks and are considered among Ocean Software's most faithful and playable efforts. ZX Spectrum-focused publications awarded ratings exceeding 94%, lauding their speed and originality; for instance, Crash gave it a score of 95%, with Sinclair User rating it at 96%. In contrast, feedback for the Commodore 64's version was mostly unfavorable.

The Master System port also earned commendations. Reviewers from Computer and Video Games highlighted that its gameplay preserved the exhilarating pace found in the arcade original, underscoring its intense high-speed action.

Awards

During Japan's 1989 event, the arcade edition received a nomination for Hit Game of the Year, securing the 10th position. An advertisement by Ocean Software in 1989 asserted that it was chosen as Arcade Game of the Year.

At the 1989/1990 Golden Joystick Awards, the 8-bit home computer adaptations earned accolades for Best 8-Bit Coin-Op Conversion and Best 8-Bit Soundtrack. The Spectrum version led Computer and Video Games' "The Best Games of '89" ranking alongside titles such as Super Mario Bros. 2 and was voted the top game in the 1993 Your Sinclair Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time.

Records

The official arcade world record is held by Brian Kuh from Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, who scored 3,596,680 points on June 1, 2006, at the Funspot Family Fun Center. Meanwhile, Robert Gray from Dumfriesshire, Scotland holds the recognized MAME world record with a score of 11,490,280 points achieved on June 13, 2010.Template:Fix/category^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

Chase H.Q. spawned two direct arcade sequels: Special Criminal Investigation released in 1989 and the uncommon Super Chase: Criminal Termination from 1992. Additionally, it inspired spin-offs such as the run-and-gun Crime City and Quiz H.Q..

The sequel Special Criminal Investigation introduced firearm mechanics, enabling the passenger to shoot targets from a Nissan 300ZX Z32 while evading enemy attacks during chases. This installment also featured more imaginative courses including waterfalls and incomplete highways.

Released in 1992, Super Chase: Criminal Termination marked the third arcade title in the series.

Taito's 1997 PlayStation game Ray Tracers is regarded as a spiritual successor to Chase H.Q., incorporating similar gameplay elements alongside new features like speed boosts and diverse target objectives.

In February 2006, Chase H.Q.: Nancy Yori Kinkyuu Renraku was unveiled at Tokyo's Arcade Operator's Union trade exhibition and subsequently launched as Chase H.Q. 2 in December 2007.

The musical group Saint Etienne created a demo dance track titled "Chase HQ," drawing inspiration from the game and incorporating its signature sound effects; this track was included as a bonus on their 2009 Deluxe reissue of Foxbase Alpha.

The core gameplay of Chase H.Q., which involves ramming adversary vehicles while maneuvering through traffic, has influenced later racing franchises such as Driver and Burnout.

External links