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Description
Formula One is a racing video game released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993. It was published by Tengen, developed by Domark and licensed by Sega Enterprises as well as Fuji Television and the FIA. In the game, players race for the fictional Domark racing team with Jim Tripp because he was the director of the game. The drivers featured in the game are Ricardo Patrese and Michael Schumacher (Benetton), Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger (Ferrari), Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle (Ligier), Johnny Herbert and Alesandro Zanardi (Lotus), Michael Andretti and Mika Hakkenin (McLaren), Andre de Cesaris and Ukyo Katayama (Tyrrell) and finally Damon Hill and Alain Prost (Williams). Ayrton Senna is absent due to his endorsement of another title, “Ayrton Senna’s Super Monaco GP 2” which was also released on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.

Gameplay
The game features three modes of play; Arcade, Training and Championship in four styles; One Player, One Player Turbo, One Player vs. Computer and Two Players in four difficulty levels; Novice, Amateur, Professional and Expert. The game also has multiple control schemes to choose from so players can choose which scheme suits their gameplay style. The game features 12 international race courses; Interlagos (Brazil), Imola (San Marino), Barcelona (Spain), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Montreal (Canada), Castelet (France), Silverstone (Britain), Hockenheim (Germany), Spa (Belgium), Monza (Italy), Estoril (Portugal) and Adelaide (Australia). In comparison to the actual 1993 F1 season, some courses have been excluded such as Kyalami (South Africa), Donington Park (Europe), Magny-Cours (France, but was replaced by Castelet.), Hungaroring (Hungary) and Suzuka (Japan), but the order of the races is correct. Although the course layouts are accurate as of 1993, due to the complexity of replicating the physics behind a Formula One race car at the time the courses are filled with obstacles next to the track (signs, billboards, poles, trees, etc.) and are all six laps long. In each mode, players race around the course and can retire if their tires blow out or their engine overheats and explodes.

Arcade
Arcade Mode allows players to go for the best score. Players earn points for running a clean race as well as earn 150 points for each car overtaken. On the flipside, players can stop earning points by crashing and lose 150 points by being overtaken. Depending on the tire compound being used, the player may need to take a pit stop during the race to swap out worn tires. Players will proceed to the next circuit if the number of cars they pass is equal to or greater than the target number. (The player must pass 6 cars in Round 1, 8 cars in Round 2, 10 cars in Round 3, etc.)
Players can quit at any time by selecting “Exit” from the pause menu or retire if they blow their tires or their engine.

Training
Training Mode allows players to select any difficulty level, any game mode, any of the 12 courses and practice as long as they wish. Unlike Arcade and Championship modes, which only allow players to switch tire compounds during pit stops, Training Mode allows players to also change Wing adjustments and even their transmission in mid-race in addition to their current tire compound. Players may quit at any time they wish by selecting “Exit” from the pause menu.

Championship
Championship mode allows players to compete for points to decide the best Formula One driver. When selecting Championship mode, players will be asked to enter their name. After entering a name, players may select any courses they wish to race on or all 12 in order. Players earn 10 points for first place, 6 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth 2 for fifth, 1 for sixth, and 0 for seventh or lower. In addition, any points scored by the drivers will add to their constructor’s score as well. The driver with the most points at the end of the season wins the Drivers’ Championship, while the team with the most points wins the Constructors’ Championship.

Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Domark’s Formula One is a very fun racer on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It does have a few setbacks that make it inferior to modern F1 racers, but it still has its positive aspects. It could have used car damage as well as fuel consumption, but other than that, it’s still the best F1 title on the system. If you’re a retro gamer and a Formula One fan, you should definitely give this game a go.

Description
Formula One is a racing video game released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993. It was published by Tengen, developed by Domark and licensed by Sega Enterprises as well as Fuji Television and the FIA. In the game, players race for the fictional Domark racing team with Jim Tripp because he was the director of the game. The drivers featured in the game are Ricardo Patrese and Michael Schumacher (Benetton), Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger (Ferrari), Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle (Ligier), Johnny Herbert and Alesandro Zanardi (Lotus), Michael Andretti and Mika Hakkenin (McLaren), Andre de Cesaris and Ukyo Katayama (Tyrrell) and finally Damon Hill and Alain Prost (Williams). Ayrton Senna is absent due to his endorsement of another title, “Ayrton Senna’s Super Monaco GP 2” which was also released on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.

Gameplay
The game features three modes of play; Arcade, Training and Championship in four styles; One Player, One Player Turbo, One Player vs. Computer and Two Players in four difficulty levels; Novice, Amateur, Professional and Expert. The game also has multiple control schemes to choose from so players can choose which scheme suits their gameplay style. The game features 12 international race courses; Interlagos (Brazil), Imola (San Marino), Barcelona (Spain), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Montreal (Canada), Castelet (France), Silverstone (Britain), Hockenheim (Germany), Spa (Belgium), Monza (Italy), Estoril (Portugal) and Adelaide (Australia). In comparison to the actual 1993 F1 season, some courses have been excluded such as Kyalami (South Africa), Donington Park (Europe), Magny-Cours (France, but was replaced by Castelet.), Hungaroring (Hungary) and Suzuka (Japan), but the order of the races is correct. Although the course layouts are accurate as of 1993, due to the complexity of replicating the physics behind a Formula One race car at the time the courses are filled with obstacles next to the track (signs, billboards, poles, trees, etc.) and are all six laps long. In each mode, players race around the course and can retire if their tires blow out or their engine overheats and explodes.

Arcade
Arcade Mode allows players to go for the best score. Players earn points for running a clean race as well as earn 150 points for each car overtaken. On the flipside, players can stop earning points by crashing and lose 150 points by being overtaken. Depending on the tire compound being used, the player may need to take a pit stop during the race to swap out worn tires. Players will proceed to the next circuit if the number of cars they pass is equal to or greater than the target number. (The player must pass 6 cars in Round 1, 8 cars in Round 2, 10 cars in Round 3, etc.)
Players can quit at any time by selecting “Exit” from the pause menu or retire if they blow their tires or their engine.

Training
Training Mode allows players to select any difficulty level, any game mode, any of the 12 courses and practice as long as they wish. Unlike Arcade and Championship modes, which only allow players to switch tire compounds during pit stops, Training Mode allows players to also change Wing adjustments and even their transmission in mid-race in addition to their current tire compound. Players may quit at any time they wish by selecting “Exit” from the pause menu.

Championship
Championship mode allows players to compete for points to decide the best Formula One driver. When selecting Championship mode, players will be asked to enter their name. After entering a name, players may select any courses they wish to race on or all 12 in order. Players earn 10 points for first place, 6 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth 2 for fifth, 1 for sixth, and 0 for seventh or lower. In addition, any points scored by the drivers will add to their constructor’s score as well. The driver with the most points at the end of the season wins the Drivers’ Championship, while the team with the most points wins the Constructors’ Championship.

Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Domark’s Formula One is a very fun racer on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It does have a few setbacks that make it inferior to modern F1 racers, but it still has its positive aspects. It could have used car damage as well as fuel consumption, but other than that, it’s still the best F1 title on the system. If you’re a retro gamer and a Formula One fan, you should definitely give this game a go.