Topic: Classic Out Run: how to beat it?

I'm an Out Run lover, but I gotta admit that I'm more comfortable playing the sequel and its variations (2, 2006 Coast to Coast, Online Arcade...) because it's much easier to master and there is the drift feature, of course, that makes the game funnier.

With the 1986 classic and its versions (3D Out Run on Nintendo 3DS being the one I spent most time on) I have trouble, and I must confess I never finished a race.

Some friends tell me it's all about mastering the shift switch, but I searched online and the only reference I see is a guy on a forum stating he has it on Hi all the time and when things get complicated he just uses the brakes, but never changes to Lo. Is it a possible strategy? Or is it better to switch shifts every time? I tried and still can't beat one single course. If I use the manual transmission I'm distracted with when I have to change, and waste time and take too much risks.

Maybe my friends are messing with me and "all" I have to do is an almost perfect run on automatic, which is what I've been trying to do since the beginning.

I keep it on high all times and, when I'm too close to other cars or too close to the outer side of a curve, I just stop accelerating and let the momentum carry the car. The only time I switch to low is to gain speed quickly if I drop off the road.

@MarcelRguez So that IS a strategy, huh? Well, then the strategy of changing all the time isn't recommended?

@Moroboshi876 Don't really take my word for it, I'm no OutRun master and I don't know if it's the optimal strategy. I just know I've completed routes A and D by doing that. Whether it was by skill or chance I don't know, but it is possible.

@MarcelRguez That's more than I achieved, so I'll try it again. Thanks.

@Moroboshi876 Just be persistent. I've never been an Outrun natural, but even I've finished a course or two on the 3DS version without doing anything special.

@gcunit The problem is I tend to get frustrated with arcade games (I mean games with no progress beyond score) when they're too difficult, and Out Run is something I love, but also suck at. I reach stage 4 without any problems and use to reach the last one, but only to see the countdown go to zero soon after I enter it.

And I thought that I had to be persistent, but recently my friends told me I was doing it all wrong, that I need to use the manual transmission... which makes me perform worse. (_ _u)

@Moroboshi876 Actually, now you say it again, I did start using Manual, but I think you only do it to optimise your start and then for minimising lost time if you hit something.

It's been quite a while since I played it, but once you get better at the start, it's then just about avoiding incidents like going off the track and hitting the traffic (probably stating the obvious really) - i.e. memorise when the sharp bends kick in and how you need to start your turn-in early, lifting off the accelerator early if you find you're drifting towards the barriers.

I didn't find it easy, but Outrun is so iconic that I made myself get through it (still got some courses to beat though I think).

@the_shpydar That was certainly one option. Thanks.

I've beaten three courses (A, B and E, I think) and I never switch (except when I crash of course), but I'll try switching down in the last levels next time I play. Maybe there's something to it !

@Tibob But you use manual transmission, right? Always on Hi I guess.

Personally, instead of braking, I find slamming in to low then whacking it back in to high is more effective than breaking.