Pitstop is an arcade / strategy race game released by Epyx in 1983. The game is a driving game similar to Namco/Atari's Pole Position but with added strategy elements and an optional career mode. The game features six tracks and the option of 3, 6 or 9 laps per race. There are also three skill levels (Rookie, Semi-Pro and Pro) and the option of a single race or two 'career' modes of Mini Circuit (3 races) and the Grand Circuit (all races). This gives plenty of gameplay options.
One of the games most notable features is the pitstop itself. During a race, you can receive damage to your car and a reduction in your fuel. You can pull into the pits to change tyres and refuel, both of which you have to control manually. The race continues in the background, so decisions about whether to pit, and when, are up to you and are a calculated decision. In the 3 laps races, you probably will not have to pit as long as you do not crash too many times. As a guide, your tires change colour as they become more and more damaged. If they get too bad you will crash and your race ends.
The races themselves are similar to Pole Position, though your car is smaller and the angle of view is set higher. There is no variation in graphics between the tracks or any sort of horizon, so in terms of visuals, Pole Position is the better looking game and feels more 'realistic' in its presentation. Racing is tricky in this version (the C64 can be much easier) as the roads are not very wide. The opposing cars do not give you much room to pass and they can move into your path with little warning. Pairs of cars appearing together can signal a roadblock that will cost you time. Braking is quite effective, luckily, but you will lose momentum.
This game is ok. Reviewers of the time found it bland compared to Pole Position and that was definitely the better arcade racer of the two. The lack of different graphics between the tracks in Pitstop also hampers the variety. The career mode, lap choice, skill options and the pitstop strategy do not really make up for what is missing compared to Pole Position. That being said, Pole Position was not available on the ColecoVision as far as I am aware, so this was the closest you were going to get at the time. It is more fun (because it is harder) than the C64 release as the cars in that version are a lot easier to get by, certainly on the Rookie setting.
This run was made on the 27th December 2024 using the Pantheon emulator on PC. The options were single player, Rookie, 3 Laps, Single Race and the track was Monaco. The time achieved was 1:48.
Time stamps:
00:30 Title screen and race settings selection.
00:37 Game begins.
01:19 First lap complete.
02:02 Second lap complete.
02:41 Third lap complete. Race Over! Final time 1:48.
Intro Music:
Music by: Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Title: Legend
https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteBatAudio