Fonz (video game): Difference between revisions
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'''''Fonz''''' was a [[1976 in video gaming|1976]] [[ |
'''''Fonz''''' was a [[1976 in video gaming|1976]] [[Arcade game|arcade]] [[racing video game]] developed by [[Sega]] and published by [[Gremlin Industries|Sega-Gremlin]]. The game was based on the hit TV show ''[[Happy Days]]'' and the slogan was "TV's hottest name, Your hottest game." The game itself was simply a rebranded variant of Sega's earlier 1976 game '''''Moto-Cross''''' in a customized arcade cabinet.<ref>http://marvin3m.com/arcade/fonz.htm</ref> |
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''Moto-Cross'' / ''Fonz'' was an early black-and-white [[motorbike]] racing game, most notable for introducing an early [[2.5D|three-dimensional]] [[Third person (video games)|third-person]] perspective. Both versions of the game displayed a constantly-changing road and the player's bike in a third-person perspective where objects nearer to the player are larger than those nearer to the horizon, and the aim was to steer the vehicle across the road, racing against the clock, while avoiding any on-coming motorcycles or driving off the road.<ref name=Moto-Cross>{{KLOV game|12812|Moto-Cross}}</ref><ref name=Fonz>{{KLOV game|id=12812|name=Fonz}}</ref> The game also introduced the use of [[haptic feedback]], which caused the |
''Moto-Cross'' / ''Fonz'' was an early black-and-white [[motorbike]] racing game, most notable for introducing an early [[2.5D|three-dimensional]] [[Third person (video games)|third-person]] perspective. Both versions of the game displayed a constantly-changing forward-[[scrolling]] road and the player's bike in a third-person perspective where objects nearer to the player are larger than those nearer to the horizon, and the aim was to steer the vehicle across the road, racing against the clock, while avoiding any on-coming motorcycles or driving off the road.<ref name=Moto-Cross>{{KLOV game|12812|Moto-Cross}}</ref><ref name=Fonz>{{KLOV game|id=12812|name=Fonz}}</ref> The game also introduced the use of [[haptic feedback]], which caused the [[motorcycle handlebar]]s to vibrate during a [[collision detection|collision]] with another vehicle.<ref>Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), ''The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond'', p. 39, [[ABC-CLIO]], ISBN 031333868X</ref> |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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Revision as of 08:44, 5 April 2011
 Arcade flyer | |
| Developer(s) | Sega |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Sega-Gremlin |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Genre(s) | Motorbike racing game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Fonz was a 1976 arcade racing video game developed by Sega and published by Sega-Gremlin. The game was based on the hit TV show Happy Days and the slogan was "TV's hottest name, Your hottest game." The game itself was simply a rebranded variant of Sega's earlier 1976 game Moto-Cross in a customized arcade cabinet.[1]
Moto-Cross / Fonz was an early black-and-white motorbike racing game, most notable for introducing an early three-dimensional third-person perspective. Both versions of the game displayed a constantly-changing forward-scrolling road and the player's bike in a third-person perspective where objects nearer to the player are larger than those nearer to the horizon, and the aim was to steer the vehicle across the road, racing against the clock, while avoiding any on-coming motorcycles or driving off the road.[2][3] The game also introduced the use of haptic feedback, which caused the motorcycle handlebars to vibrate during a collision with another vehicle.[4]
Gameplay
The general premise was the player controlled the Fonz on a motorcycle with handlebars on the cabinet where the motorcycle would be.
He or she would had to go as fast as possible while maintaining the highest speed without skidding off the road or colliding with other racing bikes on the screen. Turn the handlebars, and the player would can corner and bank. Twist the handle throttle open, and he or she would accelerate. When a collision with another bike occurs, the handlebars vibrate and the screen flashes a reverse image. To increase the challenge, the size of the bike can be regulated by the operator (usually the person that owned the arcade).
Game time is adjustable from 45 to 100 seconds.
Development
Sega was allowed to rebrand their game as Fonz because its American branch at the time was owned by Charles Bluhdorn's Gulf+Western Company and they were thus legally permitted to access Paramount Television's material without any written consent (because the two were owned by the same parent company during that era). Modeling the first release of the Fonz arcade game was a female Sega staff member wearing a yellow top and white pair of short pants and standing in front of the other arcade machines in the background (presumably made by Sega).
Since the arcade game was released in Happy Days' second season, it didn't have to rely on the Fonz's later accomplishments like jumping the shark or crossing over into the universes of either Mork & Mindy or Laverne & Shirley. No other aspects of the Fonz were mentioned in the video game except his motorcycling, his motorcycling clothes, and Fonz himself. Sega's Fonz was likely the first game based on a TV character.[5]
References
- ^ http://marvin3m.com/arcade/fonz.htm
- ^ Moto-Cross at the Killer List of Videogames
- ^ Fonz at the Killer List of Videogames
- ^ Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, p. 39, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 031333868X
- ^ http://www.digitpress.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-90571.html
External links
- Moto-Cross at the Killer List of Videogames
- Fonz at the Killer List of Videogames
- Fonz at www.coin op.org
- GameFAQs
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