Alpine Racer

Alpine Racer is another modern game that combines realistic physics, stunning graphics on a field-of-vision encompassing screen and great engaging gameplay. The unique control system calls to mind the days of the "classics" when nearly every game's controls were unique. Alpine, IMHO, will also be considered a classic as the years pass. It isn't often that a videogame of today will "grab" people of all ages and compel them to stand in line to play a game. Players are nearly always seen "pulling up" on the handles as if they were actually flying over moguls and barreling down slopes. Watching people play Alpine Racer is an enjoyable experience in itself. People always ask me if Alpine Racer is "like really skiing". I always begin by telling them that the same sense of beauty is present in the game as in real life - the opening of magnificent snowbound vistas right in front of your eyes. But, as I begin to lose them, I always just respond by saying "Hell, If it wasn't for the fact that you're not freezing cold, you'd be skiing. It's that close."

Cool cameo of Pac-Man in a Santa outfit on a billboard on one of the game's three courses.

It is believed that approximately 2000 of these were produced. The most recent Alpine I have seen has been number 1855. Namco has stated that they have turned production of this type of deluxe over to Prop Cycle and Alpine Surfer. I would suspect that the total number of Alpine Racers to not exceed 2000 by very much, if indeed at all.