Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super Skidmarks takes the arcade racing thrills of classics like Super Sprint and ramps them up with a buffet of features that keeps every lap fresh. Players can choose from a wide array of vehicles – from sleek F1 single-seaters to bulky Minis and VWs – each offering distinct handling characteristics. The ability to link two Amiga 1200 machines and display the track across dual screens is an impressive technical feat for its era, providing a panoramic view that immerses you further into the high-speed mayhem.

What sets Super Skidmarks apart are its quirky novelties. Motorized cows occasionally wander onto the track, acting as dynamic obstacles that force you to anticipate unpredictable carnage. Even wilder is the option to attach caravans to your car, transforming each vehicle into a battering ram capable of shunting opponents off-line. Mastering caravan combat becomes a satisfying skill, rewarding players who can balance precision driving with tactical aggression.

The game offers 24 purpose-built circuits, each enclosed by walls to encourage the crash-bang-wallop style of racing fans adore. Tracks feature overlapping sections, so if you’re far ahead or hopelessly behind, you can still collide in spectacular fashion. The ingenious forward-or-backward racing mode effectively doubles the track count and injects fresh challenge as you learn to navigate corners in reverse.

Beyond single races, Super Skidmarks includes championship cups tailored to each car class. You can tweak race length, car power, and even paint colors before you hit the throttle, ensuring that every competition feels personalized. A final touch of realism comes as track markings slowly erode under tire wear, a subtle visual cue to your repeated conquests of a favorite circuit.

Graphics

On the Amiga’s palette, Super Skidmarks delivers crisp, candy-colored visuals that pop off the screen. Cars are rendered with clear silhouettes and distinct color schemes, making it easy to identify rivals even when the screen is filled with dust clouds and shell-like skid marks. The smooth animation keeps the action fluid, and the scrolling overhead view remains stable at high speeds without noticeable slowdown.

Dual-screen support on linked Amigas elevates the graphical fidelity, offering a wider field of view and more detail in trackside textures. Each section of the circuit features unique visual cues – racing stripes, tire scuffs, and barrier decals – that fade naturally under repeated laps, showcasing subtle attention to detail. The motorized cows and caravans are animated with playful, almost cartoon-like charm, reinforcing the game’s lighthearted tone.

Even with up to eight cars on track (on faster machines), Super Skidmarks maintains a consistent frame rate, ensuring no input lag during frantic overtakes. The particle effects for skids and collisions convey satisfying feedback, while the overhead perspective minimizes graphical clutter, letting you focus on racing lines rather than distractions.

Story

As a pure arcade racer, Super Skidmarks doesn’t weave an elaborate narrative, but it does craft its own playful universe. The premise is simple: enter your chosen class of car, outpace your rivals across a series of circuits, and claim championship glory. This straightforward setup lets the gameplay shine, focusing on skill-based progression instead of cutscenes or branching plots.

The game’s charm lies in its environmental storytelling. From bucolic tracks dotted with wandering cows to highways strewn with skid marks and stray caravans, each circuit feels alive and unpredictable. These whimsical elements hint at a world where anything can happen once you drop into the driver’s seat, creating memorable moments even without a traditional campaign narrative.

Championship mode acts as a loose storyline, guiding you through increasing levels of difficulty and introducing new challenges, such as reversed tracks or longer race distances. The sense of accomplishment when you conquer a championship in a particular car class provides a satisfying arc, encouraging you to tackle the next set of rivals with upgraded skills and strategies.

Overall Experience

Super Skidmarks stands out as one of the last great multi-format racers with roots on the Amiga, blending arcade accessibility with surprising depth. Whether you’re racing solo or linking up for eight-player chaos, the game’s robust feature set and inventive track designs ensure every session feels unique. The absence of car damage keeps the action lighthearted, allowing you to focus on slipstream tactics and opportunistic hits over rival bumper cars.

The inclusion of customization options – adjustable laps, power settings, and paint jobs – adds a layer of personal flair, while the track erosion mechanic rewards repeated play with evolving visuals. Multiplayer remains the heart of Super Skidmarks, transforming living rooms into lively arenas where friendships are tested by drifting caravans and bovine ambushes.

For retro racing enthusiasts and newcomers alike, Super Skidmarks offers a timeless blend of fun and challenge. Its inventive track hazards and the ability to flip each course backward effectively double replay value, ensuring you’ll return for more. If you’re searching for a game that champions pure racing joy, quirky novelties, and local multiplayer mayhem, Super Skidmarks is an enduring classic well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10