DESCRIPTION

Formula One 99 is the fourth installment in Psygnosis' FIA-licensed, Formula One series. All the racing teams, drivers, cars, and technical specs have been updated to match changes in the real world of Formula One racing. Even the newly constructed (as of 1999) Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has been added to the season.

Players may choose to participate in a Quick Race, an arcade-style game, a Grand Prix, which is a racing simulator, and various two-player racing options. In Quick Race, there is no concern for fuel, damage, pits or penalties. Select a track, set up race options such as weather, and go.

In the two-player mode, two drivers can go up against each other on either a vertical or horizontally split screen. In the Grand Prix mode, players may choose to enter a single race or go through a full season, which consists of 16 international tracks. A race consists of a weekend: day one is spent practicing, day two is for qualifying to determine starting position, and day three is the race itself.

Players can choose to set a number of realistic details to affect racing. They may choose to play with pitting, fuel usage, tire wear, damage, and variable weather. Players may also modify their cars to suit the appropriate weather and track styles.

During a race, players must pay attention to flags that will be displayed by track marshals to indicate various race factors. Black flags indicate a driver has received a time penalty or has been disqualified from the race. A blue flag indicates a driver is about to be overtaken by a faster car and must allow that car to pass. A yellow flag warns of danger on the track ahead, and of course the checkered flag indicates victory.

After each race, points are awarded to the top six finishing cars to contribute to their overall season standings. Players may save their games between races. ~ Michael Schwartz/Joan Dykman, All Game Guide