SMGP 2 gets a test drive and PAUL MELLERICK’s foaming at the mouth with old clichés again. Burn it up Buster!

Super Monaco Grand Prix, a Formula One racing game that was out of this world MD-wise and great on the MS. Sit back and settle tor that, would ya?

Not if your company’s called Sega you wouldn’t. Bigger, newer, faster and backed by the 1991 Formula One Grand Prix champion —Ayrton Senna — SMGP 2 is here.

This game hasn’t just got his name behind it, he insisted on being in on the production, too.

As with the old MD and MS games, the action takes place over 16 world championship courses, from USA to Great Britain, including the (in)famous Monaco circuit. Especially for the MD game, Mr Senna has designed two extra courses to test the ultimate driver. Hellish!

As well as those by the man himself, a third track’s included, Senna’s personal track at his ranch in Brazil. If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for you!

Absolute Beginners

The MD follows the original very closely. Graphically and soundwise, there are no major enhancements. The same style and basic graphics are used, as is the speech, this time provided by the main man.

But get the car underway and watch out. Although the speed of the car’s slightly more realistic (dropped from 416 to 340 km/h), the scrolling has been speeded up and the backdrops given greater detail. Trackside scenery has been brought out more, making the game loads better to look at.

In World Championship mode you can choose from Beginner or Master and this mainly affects the steering. Light and easy in Beginner, but tough and uncontrollable in the Master mode, unless you reduce your speed. Try Beginner first!

The mode also affect the number of laps in a race, from three tor Beginners to six for Masters.

Super License/licence!

Instead of the old Monaco GP competition you must finish Senna’s tracks. Finish all three well enough and you might get the Ayrton Senna Super License (I have). (What, performed?! — Ed.)

The original SMGP’s graphics were outstanding, its sequel’s are unbelievable. With three additional tracks and two modes of the World Championship, all this cart needs is a battery back-up facility.

Surprise surprise, it has that as well,

SMGP 1 owners may not be as thrilled with the game looking and feeling about the same. The initial enjoyment isn’t there and with the same 16 world courses they won’t get any extra mileage out of the game. New MD owners who’ve heard about SMGP should forget it and buy this now.

Chase him!

But you MS owners aren’t left out. This version sees you competing on the standard 16 world courses, where the object is to beat Ayrlon Senna at all costs.

Select the World Championship mode and off you go. The track name and design appears onscreen and you’ll be given Setting, Qualify and Race options.

The Setting option changes various options or your car such as transmission (six-speed or auto) and tyres (B or C compounds).

You must then quality (or the race otherwise you start 12th on the grid, too far behind Senna to catch him. You can have as many qualifying laps as you want.

Unfortunately the MS game doesn’t show other cars on the starling grid, but your position is shown at the top of the screen.

Demon drapes

Each race has a certain amount of laps, depending on the course, ranging from four to six.

The top right-hand corner of the screen shows an aerial view of the course, your position marked in red, Senna’s in yellow.

The password system is easy to use and overall this game is a cracker as well. Like the MD game, the graphics have been improved and the scrolling speeded up. The car handles brilliantly and cornering’s great.

But it’s very difficult. Senna’s tough to catch and if you make one mistake, it’s curtains.

Driving fans who already have SMGP may like to try it out before they buy. Other fans should get this as soon as possible.

PAUL

There’s an awful lot of work gone into these. And boy, was it worth it! Taking those corners at high speed on the MD feels like a dream and the MS version’s no slouch either! The only difference is the MD gives a truer feeling of speed. The scrolling scenery on both versions is excellent and the in-game effects are brilliant, especially on the MD. Capturing and digitising Senna’s voice is a great touch and you can make out the accent in there, too! Controls are a cinch to pick up and there are more than enough options to get the most out of your machine. Gotta agree with Paul, I’m sorry to say! The MD version’s the best of the two, but both are gonna sell like hell!

ADRIAN

Producer
Sega
GG
Aug
MD
July
Memory
512K
Players
1
Price
£34.99

SF Rating

Presentation
88% - Nice pics of Senna, easy password
Visuals
85% - Superb scrollingbut slightly bland
Sonics
65% - Nice tune, flat engine and effects
Playability
88% - Easy to control but very tough
Lastability
89% - Great fun; password system

88%

Almost a Blaster but slightly off the mark.

Producer
Sega
GG
Aug
MS
June
Memory
1024K
Players
1
Price
£49.99

SF Rating

Presentation
92% - Loads of options, digitised piccies
Visuals
95% - Scrolling and scenery are PERFECT
Sonics
65% - No in-game tune but great speech
Playability
92% - Two modes, easy on beginner
Lastability
91% - Can you beat those lap times?

94%

Better than the original in every way! It’s that good!

Rating
88
Reviewer
Sega Force magazine
Region
UK
Scans
Sega Force - Issue 06

See more reviews of (Ayrton Senna's) Super Monaco GP II
See the main page for (Ayrton Senna's) Super Monaco GP II


Return to top
0.115s