Galaxy 5000 (1991-)

• Developer: Activision

• Publisher: Activision

• Genre: Racing

• Designer: Chris Shen

• Composer: Russell Lieblich, Rick Boogar, Pete Mokris

Galaxy 5000: Racing in the 51st Century is a futuristic racing game developed and published by Activision for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), released in February 1991 in North America and Europe. Unlike many NES titles, it was not ported to other platforms, making the original cartridge a collector's item. The game takes place in the 51st century, where players race armored turbo-crafts across various planetary tracks, combining high-speed racing with combat elements. Its isometric perspective and vehicular combat mechanics drew inspiration from arcade games like F-Zero and Rock n' Roll Racing, though it remained unique in its approach.

The gameplay centers on racing through challenging tracks filled with obstacles such as land mines, gun turrets, speed zappers, warp doors, and deadly solar spikes. Players can choose between two control schemes: the Alpha controls, where pressing a direction moves the ship accordingly, and the Beta controls, which use up and down to accelerate and decelerate, with left and right to steer. The A button allows the ship to jump, and the B button fires weapons to disrupt opponents. As players progress, they earn money to repair damage and upgrade their ships, enhancing their performance in subsequent races. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes, with up to two players racing simultaneously on the same screen.

The soundtrack of Galaxy 5000 complements its futuristic setting with energetic and driving compositions that enhance the racing experience. Sound effects include digitized voice clips such as "Hey!", "Excuse me!", and "Watch it!", adding a layer of personality and humor to the gameplay. These audio elements contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere, making each race feel dynamic and engaging.

Upon release, Galaxy 5000 received generally positive reviews. Publications like Computer and Video Games awarded it 86%, praising its engaging gameplay and challenging tracks. Mean Machines gave it a 91% rating, highlighting its graphics and comparison to F-Zero. However, some critics noted limitations in the two-player mode, particularly the lack of a split-screen feature, which could make multiplayer races challenging. Despite these critiques, the game is remembered as a unique and enjoyable entry in the NES racing genre.

Images from MobyGames