Super Hang-On

The Good
The sequel to the hit arcade game Hang-On. Super Hang-On, was ported to many a PC and Console. Yet it seemed most at home on the Sega Genesis, perhaps because it was a game by Sega, or more likely because it is simply the best version, of the arcade classic available to the home market.

In Super Hang-On, you can play arcade, or original mode. In arcade mode, you attempt to gain the high score, as you race from check-point to check-point, before running out of time. There are four difficulty settings. Beginner, with 6 stages, is set in Africa. Asia, is the Junior setting, and has 10 stages. Senior mode has you racing 14 stages, in America. And finally, Expert offers 16 stages, set in Europe. And while you can pick any one you like it would be recommended to follow the difficulty settings. As those unable to finish the Beginner course will have trouble with all the others.

Being an old-skool racer, the goal is not to finish first. But to finish the entire run, while racking up points, and staying on your bike.( It’s called Hang-On for a reason.) Original Mode, plays completely different.

In Original Mode, you earn money for finishing races. That can be used to repair your bike, and buy new bike upgrades. The races run a little differently here as well. In this mode you must beat a course in a certain amount of time in order to claim victory. There are a number of opponents, each with their own personality and biography. A nice touch. Another key difference in Original Mode is that, you can gain sponsors. Upon a successful race you will earn support of a sponsor. They will provide you with extra cash, as long as you keep winning.

The Graphics are quite good for an early Genesis game. It came out in 1989, and was essentially a launch game. The sprites are large on screen and very well detailed. The race tracks all look nice, and unique, no reusing backdrops here! Of course this being developed by Sega’s AM2, high quality was to be expected.

In the sound department, the game also fairs well. The sound effects are loud and sound very realistic, the voice samples are clear and also sound good. The music is excellent, there are only five tunes to choose from, yet they are so well done, the limit is not so bad. “Winning Run” is my favorite, and I daresay one of the catchiest tunes in all video-game music history.

The controls are tight and responsive, just as they should be in a racing game. The Genesis controller lends it self quite well here. And while not as good as the arcade’s cabinet, it still does an amazing job.

The Bad
On the downside, the game could have been better. For instance, there easily could have been battery back-up at least for the Original mode.

But instead, the game gives you passwords, that are ridiculously long, have some paper ready! Those that do not care for old-skool racers, I.e. Check-point racers, need not apply.

The Bottom Line
Overall, this is a very good game, and well worth your time, if you, like me still like playing older games. Now if you will excuse me, I have a race to win.