Playable 3D simulation of this classic handheld electronic game including views of the original packaging and instruction guide

　　.

　　A RetroFab simulation

　　Version 0.9.8

　　Details

　　Title

　　Auto Race

　　Manufacturer

　　Mattel Electronics™

　　Series

　　LED Handheld

　　Model No.

　　9879

　　Release Date

　　1976

　　Description

　　Mattel Electronics™ Auto Race, released in 1976, is officially regarded as the first ever handheld electronic game since it had no moving parts, other than the switches. While the visuals represented by LED lights is simple by modern standards, the gameplay is surprisingly challenging!

　　Gameplay

　　The object of the game is to race against the clock by completing 4 laps in the shortest time possible while avoiding collisions with oncoming cars.

　　Your car starts at the bottom of the screen and moves towards the top. Use the gear shift to control your speed. The higher the gear, the faster the car moves and the faster the other cars will come towards you. You will need to swerve past these cars using the steering switch to move among the three lanes. If you're hit by a car your vehicle will be pushed back towards the bottom of the screen unless your get out of the other car's way.

　　If you make it to the top of the screen, one lap is completed, and your car returns to the bottom of the screen. You will need to complete 4 laps before the clock reaches 99 seconds.

　　Tips

　　If you're hit by an oncoming car you'll be pushed all the way back to the start unless you can quickly move to an adjacent lane. The more quickly you can move out of the way the less the distance you will be pushed towards the bottom of the screen.

　　Notes

　　Sounds are not 100% accurate. The engine sound, in particular, still needs work.

　　Controls

　　Keyboard

　　Start

　　F1

　　Reset

　　F2

　　Higher Gear

　　W or Up Arrow

　　Lower Gear

　　S or Down Arrow

　　Steer Left

　　A or Left Arrow

　　Steer Right

　　D or Right Arrow

　　Mouse

　　Rotate

　　Drag

　　Press

　　Left-click

　　Zoom

　　Mousewheel

　　Resources

　　Audio

　　Mark Rotondella

　　( youtube.com )

　　Box Art

　　Handheld Empire

　　( handheldempire.com )

　　Instructions

　　Internet Archive

　　( archive.org )