Videocart-9: Drag Strip

About

Videocart-9: Drag Strip is a straightforward drag racing game that leans heavily into its hardware. Players use a modified joystick where twisting the head adjusts throttle while moving the stick shifts gears in a simulated H-pattern. Four car types scale with difficulty, ranging from sedans to dragsters, but all appear identical onscreen. The goal is to beat a set time of 7.7 seconds or outpace an opponent in split-screen races. Victory requires accumulating 99 wins on a counter, adding a grindy layer to the action. The game stands out for its niche hardware dependency, as the special controllers were essential to its core mechanics. Its rigid timing and mechanical focus make it a relic of early arcade-style racing, though the lack of visual distinction between vehicles and basic track design keep it from aging gracefully. Still, it’s a rare example of 1970s attempts to replicate real-world driving physics through unconventional controls.