Pitstop 2 was my first Commodore 64 game. But when I look back after all these years, it's probably the best racing game I have ever played for so many reasons.
First, it's as simple as it can get. As most of those old 8 bit games: left, right, front, fire for turbo. You pick up the joystick, select the track and go! You’re driving a formula one car.
Second, it's just enough challenging. Not to hard, not to easy. You don't have to be a champion gamer to enjoy.
In fact, it’s the only game I remember having my entire family playing.
Third, the game has enough variety to have you playing again and again. You have a choice of 6 tracks and a "grand circuit" career mode: 3, 6 or 9 laps. And 3 level of difficulty. The split screen allows 2 human players to drive at the same time. It's probably the best feature of the entire game. You don't need 2 computers. Just 2 joysticks.
When you hit opponents car or the side of the road. You damage your tire. You don't crash or waste time in the grass. You use your tire. The consequence is that you will need to stop at the pit to change tire and waste time.
You also have to manage your fuel level. When racing 9 laps, it's an entire strategy.
And of course there are the pit stops. When you need to change tire or get gas, you need to stop at the pit. You have to wait to complete the laps and entire the pit area. There you manually choreograph the pit crew. Select the fuel guy to refuel the car. Select another guy to change the tire. To save time, you can chose to change only the most damage tire and risk it on the speedway. Or stop the fueling if you only have 1 lap to go, but watch out. The track doesn’t have the same length.
The only down side is the opponents car. There no logic. They don't start with you at the beginning line. They just appear along the track. Always in the same curve. Always driving in the same manner. It's not a great race simulation like formula one, but those opponents add to the gameplay. The race doesn’t get boring because all the other cars are behind you and you are all alone on that part of the track. There is always a car waiting on the next curve.
Pitstop 2 is a simple, yet challenging game that you will enjoy again and again. I'm glade to be able to play it on my PC! Don't miss this peace of nostalgia.
