Speed Race

"Speed Race" is a 1974 arcade racing video game developed by Taito and released in North America as "Racer" and "Wheels" by Midway Manufacturing in 1975. Designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, the game features a vertical scrolling road where players use a steering wheel and accelerator to navigate their car past other vehicles without collisions. Points are awarded for speed, with the goal of maximizing points within a 90-second time limit.

The game's success was significant, particularly in Japan, where it established 100 yen per play as a new pricing standard and became a major hit. In North America, Midway's "Wheels" sold 7,000 cabinets and "Wheels II" sold 3,000, totaling 10,000 units in the U.S., making it the best-selling arcade game of 1975. The game also performed well in Australia.

Influenced by earlier titles like "Mini Drive" and "Super Road," "Speed Race" itself inspired later games such as Atari's "Hi-way." It spawned numerous sequels and variations, including updated versions like "Speed Race DX" and "Twin," which achieved commercial success in both Japan and North America. The game's legacy includes its impact on the development of vertical scrolling mechanics in subsequent titles.