acedrvrw is a 1994 racing arcade game developed and published by Namco. The player controls a Formula One racer, with the objective being to complete three laps of a race course and to avoid a collision with opponents and other obstacles. Three difficulty levels are available, as is a mode to enable a gear shift. Similar to Namco’s own Final Lap series, the arcade cabinet can be linked together with another unit to enable eight-person multiplayer. It ran on the Namco System 22 arcade hardware.
Ace Driver was designed by Tatsuro Okamoto, his known for his work on the classic arcade game Metro-Cross (1985). He was assisted by Pole Position designer Shinichiro Okamoto. The game was a widespread success, winning the “Best Coin-Operated Game” award at the 76th Annual IAAPA tradeshow in November 1994. Critics praised the game’s realistic graphics, multiplayer and responsive controls, with some reviewers finding it to be superior than Sega’s Daytona USA and Namco’s own Ridge Racer. It was followed by two sequels, Ace Driver: Victory Lap (1995) and Ace Driver 3: Final Turn (2008). A PlayStation home conversion announced in 1995 went unreleased.
Gameplay – acedrvrw
Ace Driver is a 3D racing video game. Gameplay involves the player controlling a Formula One racer, the objective being to complete three laps of a race while in first place.[1] The player can choose one of eight playable vehicles, which is determined by which seat the player has chosen on the cabinet itself.[1] Cars also carry advertisements featuring names of older Namco video games and products, in a manner similar to the Ridge Racer series.[2] The player can also choose from three difficulty levels — Beginner, Expert, and Expert Pro Race Class.[2] Namco produced two versions of the game, an SD model and a DX model. The SD version features a basic sit-down structure, while the DX version features seats that rotate based on the player’s actions in the game.[3] Both cabinets are linkable, and allow for an additional machine to be connected to it, which enables eight-person multiplayer.[1]
Reception – acedrvrw
Reception acedrvrw
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Next Generation |   [1] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) | Best Coin-Operated Game,[7] Most Innovative Coin-Op Game[8] |
Ace Driver was a widespread success, with reviewers praising its impressive technological capabilities and realistic graphics. At the 76th Annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) tradeshow in November 1994, it was awarded the “Best Coin-Operated Game” award, for its texture-mapped 3D graphics, force feedback and motion-based cabinet.[9][10] It also received a product innovation award from the IAAPA.[11acedrvrw
acedrvrw Marquee
