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Fonz (video game)

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Fonz
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)Arcade
ReleaseRoad Race
Man T.T.
Moto-Cross
Fonz
Twin Course T.T.
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, up to 2 players (Twin Course T.T.)[7]
Arcade systemSega Discrete Logic

Road Race[a] is a 1976 car driving arcade racing video game developed and released by Sega in February 1976.[8][9][2] Later the same year, Sega released two motorbike racing variants, Man T.T.[b] (released in August)[10][2] and Moto-Cross,[5] which were in turn re-branded as Fonz,[10] in November 1976. The game was based on the character Fonzie (portrayed by Henry Winkler) from the 1970s TV show Happy Days, with the slogan being "TV's hottest name, Your hottest game". Sega licensed Fonz because at the time it was owned by Charles Bluhdorn's Gulf+Western Company and it was a Paramount Television intellectual property.

A two-player version of Man T.T. called Twin Course T.T.[c] was released in January 1977.[7]

Overview

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Arcade cabinet

Moto-Cross / Fonz is an early black-and-white motorbike racing game, most notable for introducing an early three-dimensional third-person perspective. Both versions of the game display a constantly changing forward-scrolling road and the player's bike in a third-person perspective where objects nearer to the player are larger than those nearer to the horizon, and the aim was to steer the vehicle across the road, racing against the clock, while avoiding any on-coming motorcycles or driving off the road.[11] The game also introduced the use of haptic feedback, which caused the motorcycle handlebars to vibrate during a collision with another vehicle.[12]

Gameplay

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The general premise has the player controlling Fonzie on a motorcycle with handlebars on the cabinet.

The player has to go as fast as possible without skidding off the road or colliding with other racing bikes on the screen. Turn the handlebars, and the bike will corner and bank. Twist the handle throttle open, and it will accelerate. When a collision with another bike occurs, the handlebars vibrate and the screen flashes a reverse image. To increase the challenge, the size of the bike can be regulated by the operator.

Game time is adjustable from 45 to 100 seconds.

Reception

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In Japan, Road Race was among the top twenty highest-grossing arcade video games of 1976, according to the first annual Game Machine chart.[13] In North America, Road Race was reported to be doing strong business upon release.[14][15] Man T.T. was among the top ten highest-grossing arcade video games of 1977 in Japan.[16]

Fonz was introduced at Chicago's Music Operators Association (MOA) show in November 1976. It was the first time that a television character was licensed for a video game, with Sega co-founder David M. Rosen predicting the start of a new coalition between the show business and amusement arcade industries. Sega also advertised the game for having both the road and bikes seen in "true perspective on the game screen, while the player operates realistically functioning handle-bars to simulate high-speed competition riding complete with authentic motor sounds". Sega said the response to the game at the MOA show was "unanimous and enthusiastic" and that test location results were very positive. At the start of December 1976, Sega of America reported that it had manufactured several hundred Fonz arcade cabinets.[17]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: ロードレース, Hepburn: Rōdo Rēsu
  2. ^ Japanese: マンT.T., Hepburn: Man T.T.
  3. ^ Japanese: ツインコースT.T., Hepburn: Tsuin Kōsu

References

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  1. ^ a b Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). Sega of America (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. p. 131. ISBN 978-4990251215. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "1973-76". Sega Arcade History. Famitsu DC (in Japanese). Enterbrain. 2002. pp. 30–2.
  3. ^ "Road Race". Media Arts Database. Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  4. ^ Man T.T. at the Killer List of Videogames
  5. ^ a b "Video Game Flyers: Moto-Cross, Sega (USA)". The Arcade Flyer Archive. Killer List of Videogames. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ "TV's hottest name. Your hottest game. Fonz" (PDF). Cash Box. November 13, 1976. p. 10.
  7. ^ a b c "1977-78". Sega Arcade History. Famitsu DC (in Japanese). Enterbrain. 2002. pp. 33–6.
  8. ^ "Road Race, Arcade Video game by SEGA Enterprises (1976)".
  9. ^ Road Race at the Killer List of Videogames
  10. ^ a b "Ryu ga Gotoku Zero: Chikai no Basho, Sony PlayStation 3 disc by SEGA Holdings(2016)".
  11. ^ Moto-Cross at the Killer List of Videogames
  12. ^ Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to PlayStation and beyond, p. 39, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 0-313-33868-X
  13. ^ "本紙アンケー 〜 ト調査の結果" [Paper Questionnaire: Results of the Survey] (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 65. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 February 1977. p. 2.
  14. ^ "California Clippings" (PDF). Cash Box. July 31, 1976. p. 48.
  15. ^ "Eastern Flashes" (PDF). Cash Box. August 7, 1976. p. 47.
  16. ^ "結果ベスト3" [Best 3 Results] (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 90. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 February 1978. p. 2.
  17. ^ "Sega Races With 'Fonz' Game" (PDF). Cash Box. December 4, 1976. p. 41.
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