Top Gear Trilogy for the SNES | Nate’s RetroPlays

Today we are taking a look at the first 3 titles in the Top Gear racing game franchise.

All three of these games were originally developed by Gremlin Graphics (later known as Gremlin Interactive) and published by Kemco for the Super Nintendo.  The exception to that being Top Gear 2, which was also published to the Sega Genesis by Vic Tokai. Gremlin is also known for developing and publishing the Lotus series of racing games which play similarly to Top Gear.

Top Gear was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 and is one of the first racing games that were released for the system. The objective of the game is to become the fastest driver in the world by racing other drivers across several nations.

During the race, the player can choose to have an automatic or manual transmission and has access to nitro boosts that allow the player to increase their speed for a short period of time.

Top Gear allows for single or 2 player multiplayer modes.

Top Gear 2, also known as Top Racer 2 in Japan, was released 1993 for the SNES and the Sega Genesis. While more realistic than its predecessor, Top Gear 2 maintained the arcade-style gameplay the series is known for.

This game introduced an upgrade system that allows players to spend money that is earned from winning races.  The upgrades include things like engine, nitros, transmission, tires and armor.

Top Gear 2 allows for single or 2 player multiplayer modes.

Top Gear 3000, also known as The Planet’s Champ: TG3000 in Japan, was released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Top Gear 3000 marks the last in the series to be developed by Gremlin. Top Gear 3000 heavily resembles the previous Top Gear 2, but is set in the distant future.

This game is a little more ‘out there’ for the series, with it’s setting portrayed as some sort of dystopian future that takes place after World War 17. This also marks the first time in the series where weapons are available as upgrades.

Top Gear 3000 allows for single or up to 4 player multiplayer modes (with the addition of a multitap).