Released in 1995 by Acid Software, Super Skidmarks is one of my most memorable racing games. This top-down racer with a unique twist brought intense, arcade-style competition to the Amiga, Amiga CD32 (my platform), and even made its way to the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis).
Known for its quirky sense of humour, tight controls, and an unusual array of vehicles—including cows on wheels—Super Skidmarks is as fun as it is unique, offering players a fast-paced, colourful, and often unpredictable racing experience.
High-Octane Racing Isometric Racing
In Super Skidmarks, you take the wheel of miniature vehicles racing around a variety of tracks, each with its own distinct layout and hazards. The game has a light-hearted tone that shows in everything from the vehicle designs to the obstacles on the track. This is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with a setup that encourages players to have as much fun as possible with its over-the-top racing antics.
The name itself, Super Skidmarks, gives you a hint at the game’s tone—it’s playful and sometimes a bit ridiculous, filled with skidding, spinning, and bouncing as you try to keep control on tight corners. The game’s standout feature, though, is the ability to race with some genuinely bizarre vehicles, including caravans, beach buggies, and even a fleet of racing cows strapped to wheels. This quirky element is as much a part of the experience as the racing itself, making Super Skidmarks as much a comedy as a competitive arcade racer.
Tight Controls and Chaotic Racing
Super Skidmarks is all about control. The top-down perspective offers a clear view of the track, and the tight controls are responsive, allowing for quick corrections as you drift around hairpin turns and try to avoid other racers. The game shines in its simplicity—acceleration, braking, and steering are all you need, yet the gameplay has a satisfying depth as you master the nuances of each turn and learn the quirks of the different vehicles.
What Super Skidmarks does particularly well is creating a sense of weight and momentum. The skid marks left by the tires are not just a visual flourish but an indication of the game’s realistic handling, making you feel every drift, skid, and bounce. This level of control is essential because the game’s tracks are littered with sharp corners, narrow straights, and obstacles that can knock you off course or flip you around in the heat of a close race.
With multiplayer support, the fun reaches new heights, allowing up to four players to compete simultaneously via split-screen. Multiplayer mode is where Super Skidmarks truly comes alive, with players jockeying for position and frequently knocking each other into barriers or off the track entirely. It’s chaotic, fast-paced, and often hilarious, with the game’s humor and unpredictability adding to the excitement.
Super Skidmarks Tracks and Vehicles Variety
The tracks in Super Skidmarks are varied and challenging, from standard race circuits to more elaborate courses with jumps, obstacles, and hairpin turns. Each track has its own unique design, requiring players to stay focused and quickly adapt to changes in layout. The combination of tight turns and narrow lanes makes each race feel like a test of skill and precision.
But it’s the vehicle selection that really sets Super Skidmarks apart. While you can opt for standard racing vehicles, the game lets you take control of everything from big rigs to bizarre vehicles like cows on wheels and even caravans. This variety adds a comedic twist to the experience, as each vehicle handles differently—racing cows, for example, are surprisingly nimble, while the caravans are hilariously unwieldy, practically inviting chaos in the middle of a heated race.
Classic Amiga Audio Visual Charm
Super Skidmarks has a bright, clean, and vibrant look that fits its playful style. The top-down view keeps things simple and easy to follow, with detailed sprites and colorful track environments that look fantastic on the Amiga. The game also includes some amusing visual flourishes, like skidding tire marks that track your every drift and collision, adding to the immersion.
The sound design complements the visuals with a funky soundtrack and a set of sound effects that bring out the arcade feel. Engine sounds, screeches, and skidding tires punctuate each race, helping to build an atmosphere that’s energetic and fun without being overly serious. While not groundbreaking, the audio has a nostalgic charm that’s well-suited to the game’s style, adding just the right amount of energy to keep you engaged.
Accessible But Rewarding for Mastery
One of Super Skidmarks’ strengths is that it’s accessible enough for casual players but has enough depth to reward dedicated racers. The learning curve is relatively gentle—you can jump in and have fun right away—but mastering the handling and memorizing the best racing lines on each track takes practice. The chaotic, unpredictable nature of the races adds a layer of unpredictability, where even skilled players can be blindsided by a rogue caravan or a well-timed bump from an opponent.
The AI is surprisingly competitive, especially in higher difficulty settings, pushing players to improve their skills and learn the nuances of each track layout. Multiplayer races add another layer of difficulty and excitement, as human players are, predictably, more ruthless and unpredictable, creating a sense of friendly rivalry and tons of laughs.
Final Thoughts on one of my favourites from the Amiga’s Glory Days
Super Skidmarks is more than just a racing game to me – it’s a joyride of quirky vehicles, chaotic gameplay, and comedic twists that makes it a standout title on the failed Amiga CD32. With its satisfying handling, varied tracks, and a sense of humour that embraces the absurd, it’s a game that combines technical skill with just the right amount of silliness and accessibility.
For fans of arcade racers and multiplayer mayhem, Super Skidmarks is a must-play, offering a combination of tight controls and laugh-out-loud moments that few racing games achieve. It captures a sense of fun that’s undeniably 90s, embracing a playful spirit and accessible gameplay that make it one of the Amiga’s most beloved titles.
Whether you’re here for the competitive challenge or the absurdity of racing cows and caravans (a personal favourite), Super Skidmarks still delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience that’s as memorable as it is entertaining.
Super Skidmarks Release Details
| Release Year | 1995 |
| Genre | Racing |
| Platforms | Amiga, Amiga CD32, Genesis |
| Publisher | Codemasters Software Company Limited, The Guildhall Leisure Services Ltd. |
| Developer | Acid Software |
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