Final Lap

Another interesting game — albeit one that's been around for about a year — is Atari's Final Lap, a two-player formula car race. The unique feature of this game is the sit-down cabinet with two independent screens, two sets of controls, and two padded leather seats with stereo speakers in the headrests.

Final Lap is very much like a two-player Pole Position. In fact, you race on the same Fuji Speedway, and the blimp from Pole Position makes a guest appearance, hanging lazily in the sky as you tear around the track.

Final Lap's sound and graphics are much improved over Pole Position, but it's the two-player feature that makes this game attractive. Gone are the explosive, fiery crashes of Pole Position. Final Lap emphasizes one-on-one competition. If you can bump your opponent off the track, he'll spin out and lose valuable seconds. If one player finishes the lap within the allotted time, both players get to race for an extended time. The only flaw in Final Lap is its steering wheels — they spin much too freely, as if you're driving on ice. Let's hope Atari updates Final Lap with the same excellent feedback steering found in Hard Drivin'.