Super Cars II

Super Cars 2 is the sequel to the racing game Super Cars created by Magnetic Fields. Published by Gremlin Graphics, it was released in 1991 only for the Amiga and Atari ST.

It was one of the most memorable top-down racing games of its era. It stood out for its fast-paced gameplay, chaotic vehicular combat, and quirky sense of humor, which elevated it far beyond a standard racer.

The minds behind the game, Shaun Southern and Andrew Morris, were already known for their work on Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge. With Super Cars II, however, they went for something more arcade-like and wild. The game combines traditional racing with combat elements, allowing players to upgrade their vehicles with front-firing missiles, rear mines, and engine boosts, turning each race into a destructive brawl.

The gameplay takes place on winding road circuits viewed from above. The controls are tight and responsive, but mastering each course takes time due to the sharp corners, hidden shortcuts, and the constant threat of enemy fire. What truly sets the game apart is its career mode, where players engage in humorous and exaggerated negotiations with shady dealers to buy upgrades. These dialogues, filled with British sarcasm and oddball characters, add a layer of personality rarely seen in racing games.

Graphically, the Amiga version is the most polished, with smooth animations and detailed sprites. The Atari ST port retains much of the core experience but suffers from more limited sound and less responsive handling. The game also features a split-screen two-player mode, which was a major plus at the time and added a great deal of replay value.

Super Cars II was well received by critics and became a fan favorite, especially among Amiga users. It wasn’t just about speed or finishing first — it was about survival, strategy, and style. It successfully blended the intensity of racing with the fun of vehicular combat and offbeat humor.

Even today, Super Cars 2 is remembered fondly and often listed among the best top-down racing games of the early '90s. Its unique mix of action and personality helped it stand the test of time and cemented its place as a classic in the genre. In 1996, Magnetic Fields released Supercars International for MS-DOS, which is essentially a remake of Super Cars II with updated graphics and some gameplay tweaks.