# Top Gear: The Original 16-Bit Racer ## Overview *Top Gear* is a quintessential arcade-style racing game that set the standard for the genre on the Super Nintendo. Players get behind the wheel of one of four distinct cars to compete in a grueling, multi-country racing season. The game is renowned for its incredible sense of speed, strategic elements like fuel management and nitro boosts, and, most famously, its fantastic split-screen multiplayer mode that provided endless hours of competitive fun. ## Background Originally developed by Gremlin Graphics and released as part of the *Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge* series in Europe, the game was brought to the SNES by Kemco in 1992 and rebranded as *Top Gear*. It quickly became a foundational title for the console, praised for its smooth graphics, challenging AI, and an unforgettable, high-energy soundtrack composed by Barry Leitch. Its success spawned a beloved series and cemented its legacy as one of the most iconic racing games of the 16-bit era. ## Gameplay The gameplay in *Top Gear* is a perfect blend of arcade action and light simulation. Players compete in a series of races held in various countries around the world, earning points based on their finishing position. A key strategic element is the use of a limited number of nitro boosts per race to gain a critical speed advantage. Players must also monitor their fuel gauge and make calculated pit stops to avoid running empty before the finish line. Between races, players can choose to upgrade their car's engine, gearbox, or tires to stay competitive. The game can be played solo against a field of tough AI opponents or, most famously, in a head-to-head split-screen mode against a friend.