S.T.U.N. Runner
Encyclopedia
S.T.U.N. Runner is a fast-paced, racing/shooter arcade game
released by Atari Games
in 1989
. The player pilots a futuristic "speed bike" at speeds of up to and even exceeding 900 mph through various tunnels and courses, with changing environments, hazards and enemies. The final goal is to reach the "Ultimate Challenge", an endless race filled with unexpected surprises, where the player must simply get as far as possible in the allotted time. Markers on the Ultimate Challenge course show the names of the five players who have traveled the farthest, who are tracked independently of the game's traditional high score table.
was designed to resemble the craft that the player pilots in-game. The player straddles a red S.T.U.N. bike with the flight yoke-style controls immediately in front. Twin triggers fire laser cannons mounted atop the craft, and the Start buttons double as the triggers for the Shockwave "smart bomb" weapon. S.T.U.N. Runner was notable for its early use of high-speed 3D polygonal graphics, and was based on an evolution of Atari's pioneering Hard Drivin'
hardware.
. The Lynx version, unusually for a handheld version of an arcade game and despite these alterations, is widely considered the best and most faithful of all the home conversions of S.T.U.N. Runner.
, a compilation of arcade racing games for the PlayStation 2
, Xbox
, and GameCube
. It was also released for various home computer systems such as Commodore 64
, Amstrad CPC
and ZX Spectrum
.
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
released by Atari Games
Atari Games
Atari Games Corporation was an American producer of arcade games, and originally part of Atari, Inc..-History:When, in 1984, Warner Communications sold the Atari Consumer division of Atari Inc...
in 1989
1989 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* October 3, Brøderbund releases the Prince of Persia game, the first in a series of games, noted for its advancements in animation....
. The player pilots a futuristic "speed bike" at speeds of up to and even exceeding 900 mph through various tunnels and courses, with changing environments, hazards and enemies. The final goal is to reach the "Ultimate Challenge", an endless race filled with unexpected surprises, where the player must simply get as far as possible in the allotted time. Markers on the Ultimate Challenge course show the names of the five players who have traveled the farthest, who are tracked independently of the game's traditional high score table.
Arcade
S.T.U.N. Runners elaborate cabinetArcade cabinet
A video game arcade cabinet, also known as a video arcade machine or video coin-op, is the housing within which a video arcade game's hardware resides. Most cabinets designed since the mid-1980s conform to the JAMMA wiring standard...
was designed to resemble the craft that the player pilots in-game. The player straddles a red S.T.U.N. bike with the flight yoke-style controls immediately in front. Twin triggers fire laser cannons mounted atop the craft, and the Start buttons double as the triggers for the Shockwave "smart bomb" weapon. S.T.U.N. Runner was notable for its early use of high-speed 3D polygonal graphics, and was based on an evolution of Atari's pioneering Hard Drivin'
Hard Drivin'
Hard Drivin is an arcade game that invites players to test drive a high-powered sports car on stunt and speed courses. The game featured the first 3D polygon driving environment via a simulator cabinet, rendered with a custom architecture...
hardware.
Handheld Releases
S.T.U.N. Runner was also released for Atari's Lynx, in 1991. This version, due to the Lynx's inability to render 3D graphics, relied on 2D software scaling techniques to generate the effect of fully 3D levels. All other objects (Main car, obstacles, etc.) were scaled 2D bitmaps. Due to the Lynx's small screen, these slight differences were not noticeable during gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
. The Lynx version, unusually for a handheld version of an arcade game and despite these alterations, is widely considered the best and most faithful of all the home conversions of S.T.U.N. Runner.
Other versions
S.T.U.N. Runner is included in its original arcade form in Midway Arcade Treasures 3Midway Arcade Treasures 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3 is a compilation of arcade and racing games for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. It is the third and final installment following Midway Arcade Treasures and Midway Arcade Treasures 2.-Games:...
, a compilation of arcade racing games for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, and GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
. It was also released for various home computer systems such as Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
and ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
.