Monaco GP (video game)

Monaco GP[lower-alpha 1] is an arcade racing game released by Sega in 1979. One of the last Sega games to use TTL chips instead of a CPU, the game has players race against a clock and pass rival racers while attempting to earn points driving through five areas. An upgraded version, Pro Monaco GP, was released in 1980; the series also had later releases Super Monaco GP and Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II. Monaco GP was ported to the SG-1000 in 1983. The game was successful in arcades.

Monaco GP
Developer(s)Sega
Gremlin Industries
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)Arcade, SG-1000
ReleaseArcade
SG-1000
Genre(s)Racing

Gameplay and technical aspects
The deluxe cockpit cabinet of Monaco GP. Inside, a stick shift is on the left, and a steering wheel and pedal are underneath the monitor.

Monaco GP was one of the last arcade games made by Sega to use TTL-based discrete logic circuits instead of a CPU. Over 100 chips across two circuit boards operate the game. Images such as the cars and "game over" message are stored in small custom ROM chips. Sound effects, such as the cars' engines, a siren, and the sound of wheels slipping on the pavement, are generated by operational amplifiers and other analog circuitry. The scoring information appears on various LEDs located on the cabinet, including the player's score and the high score table.[1]

The main objective of the game is to race against the clock. Points are awarded as the player races through five areas. As the game progresses, rival cars controlled by the game get faster, the road narrows, and the road surface changes to ice and gravel.[1][2] Multiple styles of arcade cabinet exist for the game,[2] including a deluxe cockpit cabinet which was designed in approximation to sitting behind the wheel of a race car with a padded steering wheel and accelerator pedal.[1]

Release and reception

Initially displayed at the Japan Amusement Association show in Tokyo in 1979, Monaco GP received a positive reception at its debut. Sega chairman David Rosen called the game's warm reception at the show evidence of the world's growing acceptance of coin-operated arcade games.[3] Monaco GP was released in November 1979.[4] An upgraded version, called Pro Monaco GP, was released in 1980,[1] and the original game was later ported to the SG-1000 and SC-3000 in 1983. Sega later revived the Monaco GP series with Super Monaco GP in 1989,[1] and Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II in 1992.[5]

Monaco GP's arcade version became highly successful. Cashbox labeled the game the most popular arcade driving game in the US in 1982.[6] The game appeared on the monthly sales chart of RePlay magazine from April 1980 until April 1987, a record number of appearances to which Namco's Galaga was the next closest to reaching.[1] Game Machine listed Monaco GP on their July 15, 1983 issue as being the fifth most-popular upright arcade unit in Japan at the time.[7] French magazine Tilt gave the SC-3000 version of the game 6 of 6 stars in graphics, and 4 of 6 in gameplay.[8] In 2003, Sega made a remake for the PlayStation 2, as a part of the Sega Ages 2500 collection.[9] The remake features a number of additions including more cars and game modes.[10] Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 applauded the 2500 remake in particular for its improvements to the gameplay of the original, believing it would have been worthy of a separate release outside Japan.[11]

Notes
  1. Japanese: モナコGP, Hepburn: Monako GP

References
  1. Horowitz, Ken (2018). The Sega Arcade Revolution, A History in 62 Games. McFarland & Company. pp. 27–29. ISBN 9781476631967.
  2. "Monaco GP - Videogame by Sega/Gremlin". Killer List of Videogames. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. "Chairman with Hit Game". Cashbox. December 8, 1979. p. 42.
  4. Sega Arcade History (in Japanese). Tokyo: Enterbrain. 2001. p. 39.
  5. "Monthly Hit Chart". Mega Drive Fan (in Japanese). October 1992. p. 67.
  6. "Industry News: New Equipment, Formula 1 Race". Cashbox. January 9, 1982. p. 40.
  7. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 216. Amusement Press. 15 July 1983. p. 37.
  8. "Tubes: Monaco GP". Tilt (in French). No. 10. March 1984. p. 32.
  9. Bramwell, Tom (November 25, 2003). "Sega's 3D Ages series for Europe". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  10. Gantayat, Anoop (May 20, 2012). "Playtest: Monaco GP". IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  11. Kalata, Kurt (June 9, 2007). "Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 2: Monaco GP". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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