| H2Overdrive | |
|---|---|
 H2Overdrive logo | |
| Developer(s) | Specular Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Raw Thrills |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Release | May 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
H2Overdrive is a powerboat arcade racing game developed by Specular Interactive and released in 2009 by Raw Thrills. It is considered a spiritual successor to 1999's Hydro Thunder . The game was also released in the People's Republic of China by UNIS (Universal Space).
Players race using powerboats with various levels of difficulty against other boats, as well as seven other players on nearby cabinets. During the races, players can run into crates that give them power-ups that can range from speed boosts to MegaHull and HullCrusher abilities, [1] which can be used to destroy opposing boats. [2] On the cabinet, a throttle is used to move the boat, instead of pedals. [3] On the throttle, a red button is used to boost the boat. Unlike in Hydro Thunder, boats can now perform stunts, as well as various acrobatic maneuvers. [4]
The game has a password entry system, which features a number keypad to store game data as the player progresses through the game, [5] and achievements that the player unlocks are available, and players can increase their rank and level until it reaches the highest possible rank/level. [2] [6] The game is played on a 42" LCD screen. [7]
The game was developed by Specular Interactive which consisted of former Midway San Diego employees, [8] along with Hydro Thunder creator Steve Ranck. [9] It was unveiled by Raw Thrills at the Amusement Trades Exhibition International in January 2009. [10] The game is considered a spiritual successor to Hydro Thunder, and was originally named Hydro Thunder 2 before being renamed to its current name; [1] [11] Midway had been intending on creating a sequel to the game, but the plan would later be scrapped – Midway would also declare bankruptcy the same year H2Overdrive released. [5] An unrelated game by the same name was developed for the PlayStation 2 by Crave Entertainment in 2003, though the game was never released. [12] A similar game titled Hydro Thunder Hurricane would however be released for the Xbox 360 console via Xbox Live Arcade.
Eugene Peyton Jarvis is an American game designer and video game programmer, known for producing pinball machines for Williams Electronics and video games for Atari. Most notable among his works are the seminal arcade video games Defender and Robotron: 2084 in the early 1980s, and the Cruis'n series of driving games for Midway Games in the 1990s. He co-founded Vid Kidz in the early 1980s and currently leads his own development studio, Raw Thrills Inc. In 2008, Eugene Jarvis was named the first Game Designer in Residence by DePaul University's Game Development program. His family owns the Jarvis Wines company in Napa, California.
The following article is a broad timeline of arcade video games.
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Hydro Thunder is an arcade inshore powerboat racing video game originally released by Midway Games in February 1999 and later released for the Sega Dreamcast as a launch title later that year. It was also released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in early 2000. This game is part of Midway's Thunder series of racing games, which includes Offroad Thunder, 4 Wheel Thunder, and Arctic Thunder. Hydro Thunder Hurricane, a sequel to Hydro Thunder, was later released for the Xbox 360 on July 27, 2010 on Xbox Live Arcade.
Raw Thrills, Inc. is an arcade video game entertainment company based in Skokie, Illinois. It is best known for developing arcade games based on films.
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Cruis'n is a series of racing video games originally developed by Eugene Jarvis for Midway Games and published by Midway and Nintendo. The series distinguishes itself from other racing games with its over-the-top presentation and fast-paced gameplay, featuring a wide variety of vehicles and tracks based on a variety of real world locations. The series debuted in North American and European arcades in 1994 with the release of Cruis'n USA, which, along with Killer Instinct, was advertised as running on Nintendo's Ultra 64 hardware. Two sequels followed, Cruis'n World and Cruis'n Exotica, which featured new vehicles and tracks. All three games were released for the Nintendo 64 as well, with Exotica also being released for the handheld Game Boy Color. The next game in the series, Cruis'n Velocity deviated from the traditional arcade gameplay of the series and was released for the Game Boy Advance.
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Cruis'n is a racing game developed by Just Games Interactive and published by Midway Games for Wii. It is the fifth game in the eponymous series. The game was released on November 27, 2007, in North America, and was later released in Australasia on February 14, 2008, and in Europe on March 27. Cruis'n is a port of The Fast and the Furious, a 2004 arcade game based on the Fast & Furious franchise.
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OutRun Online Arcade is a racing video game and the most recent release in the OutRun series. It was developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. The game was released on April 15, 2009 on Xbox Live Arcade and released exclusively in Europe for the PlayStation 3 a day later via the PlayStation Network. Gameplay involves players racing their choice of Ferrari through a selection of fifteen stages in the shortest time possible.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a boat racing video game developed by Vector Unit and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. The game was released on July 28, 2010 as part of Microsoft's Xbox Live Summer of Arcade promotion. It is the sequel to Hydro Thunder, originally an arcade game, and part of the Thunder series, developed by Midway Games and under license of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It was also released onto the Windows Store. The game was added to the list of Xbox 360 backward compatible games on Xbox One on December 17, 2015.
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Specular Interactive, Inc. is an arcade game entertainment company based in Foothill Ranch, California. It is best known for developing arcade games H2Overdrive, Dirty Drivin', and Batman.
