Interstate '76 Nitro Pack
Encyclopedia
Interstate '76: Nitro Pack is a video game for Microsoft Windows
. It was developed by Activision
and released in 1997
. A stand alone expansion pack
and prequel for the original Interstate '76
, it didn't require the original game be installed to play. It is known as Interstate '76: Nitro Riders in some territories.
, between the years 1974 and 1976, with the final (chronological) mission taking place just two days before Interstate '76
begins. The game features identical gameplay to the original, but adds several new motor vehicles, new weapons, and new paint schemes for existing vehicles. In a step backwards from its predecessor, most cut-scenes for the expansion were rendered using the games graphics engine; the original used per-rendered cut-scenes. This limited the setting of the cut-scenes to outdoor areas and cars only; no people were shown and dialog took place using CB radio
communication between the vehicles.
There are three play modes available in the game: the "Scenarios", nineteen loosely-connected missions that provide a backstory to the Interstate '76 universe and set the stage for the first game; "Multi Melee", an online deathmatch
version of the game; and "Auto Melee", a deathmatch with computer-driven cars. Like the original game, players can choose from a variety of customizable vehicles for the Scenarios.
: Taurus isn't his real name - it's what people call him. He also goes by the radio codename "Stampede." He lived as a poet in New England with a wife and daughter, before they were killed by criminals. He is fond of the film Love Story
. He is playable in six missions.
Jade Champion, voiced by Lisa Picotte: Feisty and headstrong, Jade is Taurus's partner and possibly lover. She goes by the radio codename "Vixen." She is intent on discovering who is amassing the army of auto-villains, a mission that will eventually cost her her life. She is playable in five missions.
Skeeter, voiced by Tom Kane
: Skeeter serves as the mechanic and Greek chorus
for the series' heroes. He goes by the radio codename "Monkeywrench." He repairs the player's vehicles between missions and occasionally is the focus of the in-game missions. He is playable in four missions.
Natty Dread, voiced by Tom Kane: An auto-villain and member of the "Voodoo Riders" gang, Natty Dread is out to serve his own agenda, specifically, making as much money as possible. He is playable in four missions, which must be unlocked by completing Taurus, Jade, and Skeeter's missions.
s, featuring many American muscle car
s. This tradition is continued into the Nitro Pack, which adds fourteen new vehicles to the mix.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. It was developed by Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
and released in 1997
1997 in video gaming
-Events:*October 4 — Gunpei Yokoi dies after a double car accident.*November – Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association launched.*3rd annual E3...
. A stand alone expansion pack
Expansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
and prequel for the original Interstate '76
Interstate '76
Interstate '76 is a vehicular combat video game for Windows. It was developed and published by Activision and released in March 1997.-Gameplay:...
, it didn't require the original game be installed to play. It is known as Interstate '76: Nitro Riders in some territories.
Synopsis
Like its predecessor, the game is set in southwest America in an alternate version of the American oil crisis1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
, between the years 1974 and 1976, with the final (chronological) mission taking place just two days before Interstate '76
Interstate '76
Interstate '76 is a vehicular combat video game for Windows. It was developed and published by Activision and released in March 1997.-Gameplay:...
begins. The game features identical gameplay to the original, but adds several new motor vehicles, new weapons, and new paint schemes for existing vehicles. In a step backwards from its predecessor, most cut-scenes for the expansion were rendered using the games graphics engine; the original used per-rendered cut-scenes. This limited the setting of the cut-scenes to outdoor areas and cars only; no people were shown and dialog took place using CB radio
Citizens' band radio
Citizens' Band radio is, in many countries, a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27-MHz band. Citizens' Band is distinct from the FRS, GMRS, MURS and amateur radio...
communication between the vehicles.
There are three play modes available in the game: the "Scenarios", nineteen loosely-connected missions that provide a backstory to the Interstate '76 universe and set the stage for the first game; "Multi Melee", an online deathmatch
Deathmatch (gaming)
Deathmatch or Player vs All is a widely-used gameplay mode integrated into many shooter and real-time strategy computer games...
version of the game; and "Auto Melee", a deathmatch with computer-driven cars. Like the original game, players can choose from a variety of customizable vehicles for the Scenarios.
Plot
The game focuses on the activities of the auto-vigilante movement known as the AVG or Auto-Vigilante Guild, between the years 1974 and 1976. Taurus, Jade, and Skeeter (along with allies the Wolf Pack, Radiator Mother, and Hell Toupee), face a variety of auto-villains and slowly learn of the conspiracy that is the centerpiece of Interstate '76. The game's opening sequence features the first meeting of Jade and Taurus, and the final mission takes place two days before Jade's murder, itself the opening sequence of the first game.Characters
Taurus, voiced by Greg EaglesGreg Eagles
Greg Eagles is an American voice actor whose talents have been used for numerous TV shows and video games...
: Taurus isn't his real name - it's what people call him. He also goes by the radio codename "Stampede." He lived as a poet in New England with a wife and daughter, before they were killed by criminals. He is fond of the film Love Story
Love Story (1970 film)
Love Story is a 1970 romantic drama film written by Erich Segal and based on his novel Love Story. It was directed by Arthur Hiller. The film, well known as a tragedy, is considered one of the most romantic of all time by the American Film Institute , and was followed by a sequel, Oliver's Story...
. He is playable in six missions.
Jade Champion, voiced by Lisa Picotte: Feisty and headstrong, Jade is Taurus's partner and possibly lover. She goes by the radio codename "Vixen." She is intent on discovering who is amassing the army of auto-villains, a mission that will eventually cost her her life. She is playable in five missions.
Skeeter, voiced by Tom Kane
Tom Kane
Tom Kane is a prominent American voice actor with over 25 years of experience. He is most widely known for his animation work...
: Skeeter serves as the mechanic and Greek chorus
Greek chorus
A Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
for the series' heroes. He goes by the radio codename "Monkeywrench." He repairs the player's vehicles between missions and occasionally is the focus of the in-game missions. He is playable in four missions.
Natty Dread, voiced by Tom Kane: An auto-villain and member of the "Voodoo Riders" gang, Natty Dread is out to serve his own agenda, specifically, making as much money as possible. He is playable in four missions, which must be unlocked by completing Taurus, Jade, and Skeeter's missions.
Vehicles
One of the most interesting aspects of Interstate '76 is that all the in-game vehicles are based on real-world automobileAutomobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s, featuring many American muscle car
Muscle car
Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a...
s. This tradition is continued into the Nitro Pack, which adds fourteen new vehicles to the mix.