Genre: Racing / Arcade
Publisher: Mastertronic
Year: 1987
System: Amstrad CPC
Continental Circus is a home conversion of Taito’s arcade-style racing simulator, brought to the Amstrad CPC by Mastertronic in 1987. Players race through a series of international circuits, such as Brazil and Japan, in a bid to qualify for the next stage. The game imitates the arcade’s pseudo-3D perspective using sprite scaling and vertical track sections for added excitement.
The CPC version stood out at the time for its slick visuals, cool music, and an impressive illusion of speed despite the hardware limitations. Races are challenging, featuring numerous opponents and tight collision detection that adds realism and difficulty. The game also includes simple pit-stop mechanics and progressive elimination, staying true to the arcade feel.
Amstrad Action rated Continental Circus 92% in Issue 50 (November 1989), praising its technical achievements—particularly the sense of speed and smooth performance—while noting that, at times, visuals could feel a bit dark. The magazine highlighted it as “one of the best driving experiences yet on the CPC.”
