Line #5 VideoGame/PolePosition


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4	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pole_position_c64_uk.png]]
5	[[caption-width-right:300:''It'll bust your crank, and leave skid marks on your soul!'']]
6	->''Prepare to qualify!''
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8	''Pole Position'' is a racing game released by Creator/{{Namco}} in 1982 (and published by Creator/{{Atari}} in the United States the same year). Your goal is to drive your Formula One race car around the Fuji Speedway while avoiding crashing into other cars. The game is broken up into two segments: a qualifying round, where you try to complete a lap of the course for positioning and points; and a race segment, where you have to complete four laps around the track before time runs out. Crossing the start/finish line gives you a time bonus.
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10	''Pole Position'' became the most popular arcade game in 1983 due to its realistic-for-the-time graphics, and was one of the [[TropeCodifier pioneers]] of the pseudo-3D "rear-view racer" format, though Sega's ''VideoGame/{{Turbo}}'' beat it by one year.[[note]]Atari's ''VideoGame/NightDriver'' is even older, although in that game, the "car" was simply a decal that was put on the monitor.[[/note]]
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12	A sequel, ''Pole Position II'', was released in 1983. It added somewhat improved graphics and the ability to choose from one of four courses, including the Fuji Circuit from the original game, and the famous Suzuka International Racing Course (by far the hardest of the four). It also adds wheel spin, making the game slightly harder. It was also available in a deluxe sit-down cabinet configuration, using three monitors to give a panoramic view.
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14	The 1984 cartoon [[WesternAnimation/PolePosition of the same name]] has nothing to do with the games, even though Creator/DiCEntertainment did in fact pay Namco to use the name.
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16	----
17	!!''Pole Position'' contains examples of:
18	* AlliterativeTitle
19	* AnachronismStew: The Namco Museum versions feature references to at least one game that didn't exist in 1982 (original game) or 1983 (second game): ''VideoGame/TheTowerOfDruaga''.
20	* DrivingGame
21	* EveryCarIsAPinto: Your car explodes spectacularly when you so much as touch another car or billboard, costing you time.[[note]]Indeed, while the first game just has the car explode, the second game has the car exploding "into pieces" (that is, with parts playing).[[/note]] Though apparently your ''driver'' is invincible or something. (This went on to be [[InVehicleInvulnerability a common trope]] for Atari, NES and Genesis-era racing games.)
22	* {{Fanfare}}: In both games, after putting in a coin (and selecting a course in the second game), it cuts to the title screen where this plays before the qualifying laps starts.[[note]]The fanfare is unique to the two games.[[/note]]
23	** There's also two that play when the actual race starts: a special one for starting the race in the [[TitleDrop pole position]], and a standard one for starting in any other position.
24	* GameOver: Played straight in the first game, but the second game simply displays the title instead (although it still says "game over" during the AttractMode).
25	* NintendoHard: Even just qualifying successfully is a feat in and of itself, as you have to finish the course within the qualifying time ''which is not shown in-game and is lower than the time limit'', going off-course risks slamming into a sign and [[EveryCarIsAPinto blowing your car up into a million pieces]] making you wait several seconds to respawn, and so much as a fender-bender will also blow your car up. Then you get to the actual race and [[UnstableEquilibrium depending on how well you did in qualifying, you may have to contend with racers in front of you at the start]].
26	* NonstandardGameOver: If you fail to fulfill the qualifying time, the game will not move on to race mode. You'll just keep driving until the time runs out. For most casual players, this is actually the ''standard'' game over.
27	* ProductPlacement: Seen on the billboards in certain versions.[[note]]That said, the Dunlop Tires arch is replaced by a spectator bridge in the non-Japanese versions (the Namco Museum keeps the arch, but replaces the Dunlop reference with "Namco Museum".[[/note]]
28	* TimedMission: You have to finish the course before time runs out in the qualifying round to even make it to the actual race.
29	* TitleDrop: Just like in real auto races, if you can get a fast enough qualifying time, you'll get the "pole position" and start the race in first place.[[note]]That said however, like most racing games at the time, the goal is not to place first, but to beat the clock. The player "wins" after making through a certain amount of laps.[[/note]]

Context VideoGame / PolePosition