3D Super Hang-On

Genre: Motorcycle Racing / Arcade

Players: 1

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Review:

Super Hang-On is an Arcade-style Motorcycle Racing game originally released in Arcades in 1987 and later ported to numerous other platforms over the years (however, the game has yet to make it to Nintendo Switch), with the 2013 Nintendo 3DS release of the game adding stereoscopic 3D. This game, a sequel to the 1985 classing Hang-On, has four tracks instead of the one track of the prior game, with a turbo button that becomes enabled at the bike’s top speed.

As with this game’s predecessor, Super Hang-On uses faux 3D visuals in a manner similar to Out Run, and while this game may not be quite as iconic as that one, it is still visually-appealing, with some good animation when you wipe out. This is backed by decent engine noises and a fairly catchy chiptune soundtrack. Given how old this game is, I think the presentation has aged fairly well.

The gameplay, on the other hand, may not have quite the same appeal. The core gameplay here is fine, but like many of the faux-3D racing games of the era, Super Hang-On is punishingly difficult, requiring a lot of skill to progress through the game’s levels.

At the very least the Nintendo 3DS port tries to make this as authentic an experience as possible, including optional gyroscopic controls as well as a display that players can have tilt as they turn corners on the track, to better replicate the way the original arcade cabinet had players tilting left and right to steer. In addition, there are plenty of other options players can use here to customize their experience, such as changing button assignments, setting opponent racer difficulty, and so on.

Given the source material, I think 3D Super Hang-On is probably about as good a port as anyone could hope for on Nintendo 3DS. There’s a good selection of options and features here, and the game has aged remarkably well. However, despite this, players who don’t have nostalgia for this game’s original release may want to skip it, as the challenge level is going to be far too frustrating for most modern players.

tl;dr – 3D Super Hang-On is an Arcade-style Motorcycle Racing game that adds stereoscopic 3D to the classic 1987 arcade Motorcycle Racing game. It’s a good port, and the game’s presentation has aged well, but the gameplay is so punishingly difficult that modern players may want to give it a pass.

Grade: C+

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