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Midway’s latest compilation is much more specific in focus. While Midway’s previous compilations have had you playing some games from Midway’s infancy, this third version focuses on Midway’s more recent arcade racing games, including the beloved Rush series. Fans of Midway’s previous generation arcade racing games may be disappointed to know that the compilation doesn’t include any of the Cruis’n games.
Midway Arcade Treasures 3 includes eight games, notably less than previous Midway compilations. The oldest only 2D games in the compilation are Super Off Road and Badlands. Super Off Road runs very well and is responsive as it sets you on dirt tracks for your amusement. Badlands also runs very efficiently with equally responsive controls, though the game trades the dirt tracks for a gloomier atmosphere and adds weapons. Another two games are Race Drivin’ and STUN Runner. Race Drivin’ was an early simulation with rudimentary 3D graphics that apparently immersed people so many years ago. The game is still reasonably fun since it runs and controls very well, though the basic 3D graphics place it in the uncomfortable position of not being modern enough but also not having that retro quality going for it. STUN Runner is much quicker-paced since the game doesn’t let you brake. Instead of braking, you’ll blow up vehicles that get in your way or move out of the way of vehicles you cannot escape. The game also features the rudimentary 3D graphics of Race Drivin’, though unlike that game, STUN Runner wasn’t as well emulated and slows down here and there.
The four other games in the compilation are decidedly more modern and certainly the most fun. The first of these games Rush the Rock: Alcatraz Edition, despite being 8 years old, remains fun to this day as you go through shortcuts, insane jumps, and loops inside a remodeled version of Alcatraz. San Francisco Rush 2049 takes the same loopy, rampant jumps and shortcut-filled tracks and places it in the hilly San Francisco. Both of the Rush games are emulated very well. The graphics, although clearly dated by now, are passable thanks to the high-speed gameplay.
The last two games are based on Midway’s Thunder arcade racing series. You’ll find Hydro Thunder and Off Road Thunder. Off Road Thunder, released about five years ago, is the newest game in the compilation though Hydro Thunder, released six years ago, isn’t far behind. In Hydro Thunder, you drive boats through tracks with plenty of jumps and shortcuts. Off Road Thunder takes this mentality but places it in the off-road setting. Both games are emulated very well and look the best in this compilation. Though admittedly, I remember these games looking a lot better when I first played them.
The game’s visuals depend on the game. Super Off Road and Badlands are 2D games, Race Drivin’ and STUN Runner are crude 3D games, Rush the Rock: Alcatraz Edition and San Francisco Rush 2049, and Hydro Thunder and Off Road Thunder are reasonably modern (N64 quality) 3D games. The games are all well emulated with the only exception being STUN Runner which sometimes lags.
The game’s audio again depends on the game. All of the games have decent audio, providing sound effects, soundtracks, and the like. The audio is emulated quite well, so there is nothing to complain about here.
Midway Arcade Treasures 3 is a very clever, themed compilation. The $20 would definitely be worth it just for the Rush and Thunder games, though it is nice to see a bit of the company’s origins.
-- Edited, and some text by, Jose Liz -- Michael Taylor, PGNx Media
---- Oct 4, 2005
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