Dirt Dash ( NAMCO )

[Leon Retro]

I was thinking about this game today. Back in late 95/96, NAMCO were delivering some amazing 3D arcade experiences. Be it fighters, racers, or even tank blast fests, the output was phenomenal, as was the quality.

Dirt Dash was one of the lesser celebrated titles though. I'm also amongst those people guilty of not paying enough attention to the game. With Rave Racer, Soul Edge, Tekken etc... There simply wasn't the time, or the money, to enjoy every offering available.

I do remember enjoying this game. It had the colourful sharp arcade quality graphics NAMCO were masters at delivering. The movement and feel of the game were smooth too, which made for a very exciting experience!

I need to play this again. What do you think of it? Any fans?

Edit: An N64 version was rumoured, but sadly never appeared!

[Baseley09]

We had it at Clarence Parade but not for too long, was deffo cool....I wasnt very good at it, the version we had was big like that one, it was uncomfortable to sit in, like the height of the wheel was wrong, for me at least.

[c00ke5ter]

Remember it well, great game, especially the sections of broken causeway.

As you say, it was up against too any other quality titles at the time, and sadly no home conversions were done.

[Leon Retro]

We had it at Clarence Parade but not for too long, was deffo cool....I wasnt very good at it, the version we had was big like that one, it was uncomfortable to sit in, like the height of the wheel was wrong, for me at least.

I didn't use the big cab, it was the more basic version. I guess that wheel does look a bit cumbersome.

Sega Rally big sit-in version was cool though!

[Leon Retro]

Remember it well, great game, especially the sections of broken causeway.

As you say, it was up against too any other quality titles at the time, and sadly no home conversions were done.

I think it had falling boulders on one section??

It is a top quality game, I just wish NAMCO would deliver a retro-pack featuring all their mid-90's 3D games.

If they want to be stingy, why not deliver the packs in parts, like a Ridge Racer Pack, and then more!

Please Namco!

[buster_broon]

I think it had falling boulders on one section??

It is a top quality game, I just wish NAMCO would deliver a retro-pack featuring all their mid-90's 3D games.

If they want to be stingy, why not deliver the packs in parts, like a Ridge Racer Pack, and then more!

Please Namco!

just let Namco bring some better games like Splatterhouse to retro packs and then they can concentrate on the 90's stuff

[wheelaa]

just let Namco bring some better games like Splatterhouse to retro packs and then they can concentrate on the 90's stuff

QFT

[Leon Retro]

just let Namco bring some better games like Splatterhouse to retro packs and then they can concentrate on the 90's stuff

NAMCO are crazy.. what more can I say?

Their retro-packs were very poor, but luckily other companies went on to release much better packs, with large selections of games. Taito, Capcom, Sega, have shown how to deliver value for money.

I agree. They need to deliver a really big pack of games, and Splatterhouse has to be on it!

Then... with a lot of effort and magic, I want them to deliver the 90's 3D pack. That is what I dream of most!

[lurch996]

It is a top quality game, I just wish NAMCO would deliver a retro-pack featuring all their mid-90's 3D games.

Please Namco!

They will have to at some point. They can't keep releasing Xevious and Pac-Man forever....

It's strange Namco decided to put the arcade versions of Tekken 1,2 and 3 on Tekken 5 when they could have released them it as a full priced game. If only they gave RR7 the same treatment!

[Mad Gear]

The title reminds me of a film i watched the other night

[Team Andromeda]

NAMCO are crazy.. what more can I say?

Their retro-packs were very poor, but luckily other companies went on to release much better packs, with large selections of games. Taito, Capcom, Sega, have shown how to deliver value for money]

SEGA have sadly done anything but , The they have the best back Catalogue of Arcade classics out of any corp, yet all we get is piss poor Mega Drive backs or the odd single bit of magic from SEGA Ages .

SEGA could clean up retro packs of its system 18, 32, model 1,2,3 Arcade games . Never mind Live Arcade version of PowerDrift with 12 player online support ect

[Leon Retro]

SEGA have sadly done anything but , The they have the best back Catalogue of Arcade classics out of any corp, yet all we get is piss poor Mega Drive backs or the odd single bit of magic from SEGA Ages .

SEGA could clean up retro packs of its system 18, 32, model 1,2,3 Arcade games . Never mind Live Arcade version of PowerDrift with 12 player online support ect

Yeah... SEGA are are bit stingy, but I think their packs are pretty decent. The Sonic collections are full of hours of entertainment, and have some variety too.

Obviously, all SEGA fans want the retro packs you mentioned. The 3D arcade packs need to be released, and in perfect form. Model 1,2,3 played host to many of the best games ever made, and a large percentage are still good looking playable titles.

Lets hope the retro-pack market gets bigger and better. There are sooo many retro titles that need to be celebrated. I personally wish for the 90's 3D arcade packs, because MAME doesn't run them well, and I would love solid perfect versions on my 360/PS3!

Lets keep our fingers crossed!