Gallop Racer
Encyclopedia
is a horse
racing video game, created by Tecmo. Originally for the arcades, it is available on the PlayStation
, PlayStation 2
, and PC
platforms. Thus far, there have been eight editions released in Japan
, and five in North America
. The five games released in North America thus far are:
Famed game developer Jamie Schaffranek has been rumored to have placed a bid on the franchise with hopes to make a Wii compatible port.
In order to gain the maximum stamina/spirit during the race, the horse should be ridden in its proper leg type.
There are two basic divisions in the Gallop Racer series- dirt and turf. Obviously, this represents the preferred surface of the horse. Some horses can run well on both turf and dirt.
They are several horses that can be unlocked and bought during the game. Most of these horses have real-life counterparts, but real names are not used. Later games in the series include some major champions including the eleven US Triple Crown winners.
Most of the major tracks in the United States, Japan, and Europe are featured. The races do not however go by their official names. For example, the three races in the US Triple Crown
are known as The Louisville Derby, The Baltimore Derby, and The New York Derby. Elite Grade I races like the US Triple Crown, and the Dubai World Cup (known in the game as the Universal Cup) must be unlocked by winning certain races, and meeting certain requirements.
Races can range in distance from 5 furlongs
(5/8 mile) to 20 furlongs (2.5 miles), and all race distances are the same as their real life counterparts.
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
racing video game, created by Tecmo. Originally for the arcades, it is available on the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, and PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
platforms. Thus far, there have been eight editions released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and five in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The five games released in North America thus far are:
- Gallop Racer
- Gallop Racer 2001
- Gallop Racer 2003
- Gallop Racer 2004
- Gallop Racer 2006
Game Overview
Gallop Racer is an open-ended game. You buy horses to train, race, and breed. Most of the Gallop Racer franchise revolves around this theme. Gallop Racer 2004 breaks this theme and puts more emphasis on the jockey, than on the horses. The basic theme returned with Gallop Racer 2006.Famed game developer Jamie Schaffranek has been rumored to have placed a bid on the franchise with hopes to make a Wii compatible port.
Horses
Horses are classified into four leg types (the preferred position in relation to other horses in the race). The four leg types are:- Front Runner
- Preceder
- Closer
- Deep Closer
In order to gain the maximum stamina/spirit during the race, the horse should be ridden in its proper leg type.
There are two basic divisions in the Gallop Racer series- dirt and turf. Obviously, this represents the preferred surface of the horse. Some horses can run well on both turf and dirt.
They are several horses that can be unlocked and bought during the game. Most of these horses have real-life counterparts, but real names are not used. Later games in the series include some major champions including the eleven US Triple Crown winners.
Races
Races in Gallop Racer are divided into four classes, depending on the quality of the horses in the race, and the type of race:- Open
- Grade III
- Grade II
- Grade IGraded stakes raceA graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Most of the major tracks in the United States, Japan, and Europe are featured. The races do not however go by their official names. For example, the three races in the US Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
are known as The Louisville Derby, The Baltimore Derby, and The New York Derby. Elite Grade I races like the US Triple Crown, and the Dubai World Cup (known in the game as the Universal Cup) must be unlocked by winning certain races, and meeting certain requirements.
Races can range in distance from 5 furlongs
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
(5/8 mile) to 20 furlongs (2.5 miles), and all race distances are the same as their real life counterparts.
External links
- Gallop Racer 2006 at the Tecmo web site.