Master System Month: Battle Outrun

Game: Battle Outrun
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 1989

Battle Outrun is one of four Outrun titles for the Master System, the best of which being Outrun itself, the original release. After this came Outrun 3-D, requiring the Master System 3D glasses. Battle Outrun was the third release, playing far more like Chase HQ than an entry in the Outrun series. The final Outrun series release for the Master System was Outrun Europa, a particularly slow game which didn't do the franchise justice either.

Battle Outrun fails as an Outrun game on a few levels; it begins in a promising manner, allowing players to select any of the game's 8 levels across the USA, and one of the four tracks on the radio to accompany gameplay. As soon as gameplay begins though, "thug cars", acting on the part of the bosses that lie in wait at the end of each level attempt to constantly get in the player's way. In earlier outrun games, traffic wouldn't actively get in the way but these weave all over the road and kill any sense of forward momentum.

The first half of each level consists of driving far enough to enter the upgrade van which allows players to purchase better car parts, and nitro which is useful later to boost into the bosses, causing more damage. The second half of the level sees players driving to catch up to the boss, then crashing into their car as much as possible, preferably at an angle for maximum damage.

Throughout both phases of gameplay, the thug cars get in the way constantly and take away any fun players might be having from driving along. All stages are time based and after the first few, there's hardly enough time to reach the boss, let alone destroy their car. The engine and nitro power ups do help towards completing stages faster, but the manual advises to save nitrous for damaging the boss.

Graphically the game looks pretty average for 1989, the car models during gameplay aren't all that big, and it's tough to see thug cars coming from the horizon. The different locations across America are interesting, but there's not a lot of detail in the landscapes. With four music tracks to choose from there's enough audio choice, but none of the classic Outrun tunes appear in the game.

Overall Battle Outrun is disappointing both in features and gameplay. Deviating from the Outrun formula leaves a game which is like Chase HQ but worse, less fun than regular Outrun and without any unique selling points. It's not a terrible game, but you'd expect more from an Outrun game, and the constant crashing is bound to get on any player's nerves.

Rating: 45/100
Grade: D