Yu Suzuki’s OutRun is an arcade classic that first took us for a spin in 1986. It’s known for its beautiful pixel landscapes, it’s high speed – and of course Hiroshi Kawaguchi’s famous soundtrack. Now, thanks to the dedication of homebrew designer EGVroom, a new prototype demake brings the classic title to an unexpected platform: the Game Boy Color!
Link to the ROM on itch.io here: https://rocketshippark.itch.io/what-if-outrun
This ROM, aptly titled “What if OutRun”, is a compelling effort to see what the experience of playing OutRun on GBC would be like. It’s certainly not a full-scale port, but does offer players a small glimpse into what could have been if Sega had decided to bring OutRun to Nintendo’s handheld (not that the two companies were very chummy back then!) From the moment you boot up the demo, the homebrewer makes it clear this is just a proof of concept, with the opening text acknowledging the project’s nature as an experiment and inviting Sega to reach out if they like what they see.
Once behind the wheel, players can tackle two levels: Beach and Capital, each giving a 40-second timer to reach the finish line. Visuals and mechanics capture the essence of the original, with some compromises in terms of graphics which can be forgiven given the limitations of the Game Boy Color hardware and the fact that this is merely a demo. The music arranged by Sloopygloop, is an great tribute to Kawaguchi’s iconic theme and does a great job of reinforcing the feel of playing OutRun!
Despite its limitations, “What if OutRun” successfully answers its own titular question: What if OutRun had been released on the Game Boy Color? The result is a well-imagined and approachable game, but with that said, don’t expect a full-fledged port—this is just a glimpse of what could be (for now).
If you want to try it, the demo is playable in-browser which makes it easy to check out without the need for special hardware, though for my own sake I did play it on my actual Game Boy Color hardware via an EverDrive, and I also played it on my Analogue Pocket with no issues on either. Whether you’re a longtime OutRun fan or just intrigued by homebrew experiments, “What if OutRun” is a neat piece of ingenuity that explores a compelling concept: What if OutRun was released on Game Boy Color.
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