In 1982, Namco produced what would be the most popular arcade game from 1982. That game was Pole Position. It made such a huge impact in video games because of its amazing features (in 1982 terms).
Basically, it's a first person racing game where you control an F-1 one racer trying to get to the end of the race before the clock stops. It was one of the very first games to use scaling effects, and you can decide whether to set the speed up to "high" [most recommended] or "low" [when turning sharp curves]. Careful not to crash into other racers, otherwise you'll lose a few seconds. The graphics are still impressive, even today. Plus, it was one of the first ever games to advertise other products; you'll see billboards with obvious references to games like Dig Dug and Xevious. As for how it plays, it's very responsive and is really fun to play and replay, even to this day.
Peace!

My favorite racing game after Super Mario Kart, seriously. I absolutely love Pole Position.

[Muffled, barely understandable voice]: "Prepare to qualify."

Pole Position is a good game, but it's sequel outdoes it.

Didn't Pole Position 2 add almost nothing? I think I've played it once. I forget.

i remember playing Pole Position in the arcade when I was little; it was my favorite game. I was juuuuust barely tall enough to be able to press the pedal, steer the wheel, and see the screen.

Pole Position is still a fun time, and its sequel was fantastic. For a moment there I thought this thoughtbox of mine was badly executed................
Anyway, how are the "spiritual followers" F-1 Race and Final Lap? Are they worthy of the Pole Position name?

Hmm I may buy for the iPod then.

It had more tracks, including the one off of PP1.

Someone told me ages ago that it only introduced an obstacle or two extra. Apparently that person did not finish the first race, haha. Man, I need to track down a copy of this now, I had no idea.

Why is there an increase in forum game advertising on this site? I just don't get it.

This isn't advertising, this is just your thoughts on retro games. This is what the retro section is made for.

They're thoughtboxes, that's all, V8. No advertisement, just sharing my thoughts on certain games, that's all.

One of my favorite arcade games I grew up playing. Pole Position was a fun Atari 2600 game growing up.

what was first the cartoon or the game?

@geek-master There's a Pole Position cartoon? I always thought there was solely the Pole Position game. I learn something new everyday.

The game was. Pole Position the game came out in 1982.

The Cartoon came out in 1984 and I remembered Pole Position the Cartoon because it came after Saturday Supercade, a Cartoon that several shortsegments featuring video game characters like Donkey Kong and Mario.

Pole Position the cartoon had nothing to do the game in terms of having a connection between the two. The Cartoon series was named Pole Position because the video game was popular.

The creator of the Cartoon series knew Video games titles used outside of video games like names of Breakfast cereals and Cartoons at the time.