Lets Remember...Pole Position!

Pole Position was one of the first racing games that truly hooked me back in the day. i would monopolize the PP machine at my local arcade so much, that the operator would shoo me off the machine (asshole).

There were numerous home versions, including a really good translation of PP2 on the 7800. Once again, I played this one to death.

This is on one of the Namco Museums (vol. 1 I think), but sadly it slightly tarnished my fond memories. Some things are best left in the past.

Interestingly, there was a Saturday morning cartoon show of the same name- presumably to tie in with the game (I may be wrong). It featured two talking cars named Roadie and Wheels and the dorky family that drove them.


Who remembers the game and/or the TV cartoon?

The sitdown cab for Pole Position is still super cool looking to me.

I vaguely remember the cartoon... I always wanted a talking car with a face in the display. It was like KITT x 10.

I can't say I remember the cartoon but I used to play the game all the time, both the arcade and the excellent C64 version. It was the definitive racer of the early '80's.

I agree with the Namco Museum somewhat tarnishing memories. It's great for nostalgia and gaming history appreciation but the racing genre tends not to age well especially pre-Out Run games.

I remember them both and loved them when I was a kid. I remember wanting a game that was more like the cartoon version of Pole Position. Two players racing with cars that could turn into hovercrafts. :p

I remember the Q Bert cartoon. I was like 4 at the time and I still knew it sucked.

I love using the trackball on one of the Atari versions.

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Originally posted by Frogacuda
I remember the Q Bert cartoon. I was like 4 at the time and I still knew it sucked.

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Yeah, wasn't there like a block of 4 or so cartoons? It seems like there was a show about Frogger. Can't remember the others though.

If I recall right, the original Pole Position on Namco Museum vol. 1 (PSone version) has a reduced frame rate for some reason. Pole Position II in NMv3 fixes that.

I'd rather play OutRun, Enduro Racer, or Super Hang-On. Pole Position was cool at the time but it hasn't aged so well.

I remember the game (of course), though mostly played on the ol 2600. (Anyone remember the movie D.A.R.Y.L and the scene where he plays Pole Position, making it go faster than God?)

I absolutely LOVED the TV show, mostly for that funky fresh theme tune.

"Pole Posit-i-ooon, something something..."

That shit is the mad notes!

Robot cars were nice too.

The Pole Position cartoon theme song haunts me to this day.

i felt i should post in this thread just because i love this game so much.

i haven't played part 2, but from what i've seen, it's more of the same, and im completely fine with that.

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Originally posted by Ex Ranza
Yeah, wasn't there like a block of 4 or so cartoons? It seems like there was a show about Frogger. Can't remember the others though.

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There was definately a Donkey Kong cartoon, and a Q-Bert cartoon. (And a Dungeons and Dragons cartoon also, but that's kinda in another category.)

There may have been a Pac Man cartoon.

PREPARE TO QUALIFY!

So fuzzy, so fun. Pole Position rocks.

I have a Pole Position marquee hanging on my wall. I didn't really care much for this one.

There was also a Dragon's Lair cartoon which came out around the same time. For the woefully curious, Boomerang (the Cartoon Network spinoff) shows it. Like some of the cartoons mentioned above, though, don't waste your time. It's pretty dated stuff, and nowhere near the quality of the actual game :)

Ah.... I remember now!

They used to show that on USAs Cartoon Express!!

One of my friends made a secret Pole Position influenced handshake. I can't even begin to explain how viciously screwed up it is.

Pac-man
Pole Position
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr
Frogger
Q*bert
Captain N
Dungeons and Dragons
Dragon's Lair
Space Ace
Darkstalkers
Super Mario Bros Super Show
The Legend of Zelda

Just a few of the insipidly written cartoons that made me write off American animation as pure trash and the reason I stopped watching Saturday morning cartoons altogether.

There was a Space Ace cartoon? Sweet!

I had totally forgotten about those Space Ace and DK/DKJ cartoons. I'ts a sad comment on my life that I remember some of the Frogger opening song. :D

I remember the D&D cartoon being not all that bad. 'Course, I never got to watch it for long, cause my mom had heard that D&D was "evil".

I liked the Pac-Man cartoon. It had nothing to do with Pac, either, I really thought it was solid Saturday morning stuff.

I don't remember Pole Position the cartoon. And I barely played the game; until polygons and Mode 7 came along, racing games really turned me off.

The D&D cartoon is one of my all-time favs. It should have gone longer. It should be on DVD right now, all episodes. I'm tempted to buy a "backup" on Ebay.

From now on, like your parents were, you are the secret force of Pole Position.
They're movin' real fast
They're the only ones who can get there on time
(Let's go Dan. Okay sis')
They're never too far behind, they're always fighting crime
(It's stunt time Dan)
(Ready when you are Rhodie)
On the curve or a face in adventure in the danger zone
Pretty soon they'll be off on a mission, come and watch them go!
(hydrofoil mode Rhodie) (Hydrofoil engaged Dan)
Pole Position! What's behind this stunt show
(Wheels - Hovercraft, quick Anything you say Tess)
Pole Position! What's behind this stunt show
Pole Position! Only they're on the road
Pole Position!
Sit back and watch them go-oo-oh
Hey-O Hey-O Hey-O Hey-O Hey-O