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Death Race (1976 video game)

From Alfawiki
Exidy
IndustryVideo games
Founded1973 in United States
FounderH.R. "Pete" Kauffman, others
Headquarters
United States
ProductsDeath Race, Destruction Derby, Car Polo

Death Race is an arcade-style driving game created and launched by Exidy in the United States, initially appearing in arcades in April 1976. It originated as a follow-up to Exidy's 1975 release Destruction Derby, altering the gameplay focus to running over "gremlins" to accumulate points. The game allows either one or two players to operate separate vehicles. Early promotional materials referred to it by the working name Death Race 98.

The title generated considerable controversy due to its violent themes involving the elimination of humanoid figures. By mid-1976, various media outlets and community organizations condemned the game for encouraging virtual violence.

Gameplay

Players maneuver a vehicle using a steering wheel and accelerator pedal, with the goal of hitting escaping "gremlins." Each successful collision triggers a scream sound effect and leaves a tombstone on the playfield, which increases difficulty by creating obstacles that must be avoided.

The arcade cabinet displays black-and-white visuals featuring a muscle car racing through a graveyard, observed by a vulture. The marquee and bezel incorporate color elements, with some units presenting inverted color schemes. The game was housed in a conventional upright cabinet styled for racing games.

History

In 1975, Exidy licensed its game Destruction Derby to the arcade manufacturer Chicago Coin. However, Chicago Coin faced financial difficulties in 1976 that resulted in its closure, which prevented Exidy from further profiting due to Chicago Coin's exclusive manufacturing rights.

To sustain their presence in the market, Exidy reworked Destruction Derby into a new title. Engineer Howell Ivy, who had recently joined from Ramtek, introduced features such as curbs along the screen edges serving as enemy cover and implemented screen wrap-around mechanics similar to Atari's Space Race (1973).

The original enemy vehicles were replaced with animated 'gremlins' that wandered across the screen; collisions caused them to emit screeches and leave tombstone markers. Although some reports suggested connections between the game and the 1975 film Death Race 2000, Exidy denied any licensing relationship. The name "Death Race" was inspired by the undead creatures depicted in the cabinet artwork and marketing materials created by artist Michael Cooper-Hart.

Initially, Death Race was intended as a temporary release until Exidy's next game, Car Polo (1977). The humanoid design of the gremlins attracted nationwide media attention, including coverage by 60 Minutes. In July 1976, Associated Press journalist Wendy Walker authored an extensively circulated article raising concerns about the game's violent content.

This led to widespread media scrutiny throughout 1976 and 1977, including features in The New York Times, which paradoxically boosted Exidy's sales despite negative publicity. By late 1977, media interest had largely diminished.

Reception

Within the United States, the game secured the position of the eighth top-grossing arcade title in 1976 as reported by RePlay magazine, and climbed to seventh place among highest earners in 1977 according to Play Meter magazine.

Legacy

A functioning arcade unit housed in a distinctive all-yellow cabinet is preserved by Funspot. The original arcade version can be found on display at the Musée Mécanique in San Francisco, while the Galloping Ghost Arcade located in Brookfield, Illinois acquired an original black cabinet through donation. In 2016, Binary Star Software introduced a dual-game cartridge named "Nox / Death Chase," which emulates the visual style and gameplay experience of the 1970s Death Race on the 1980s-era Vectrex home system featuring vector graphics.

See also

External links

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