Machine Guides

Game History

Alpine Racer 2 is a 3D alpine skiing arcade game released by Namco in December 1996 as the sequel to the original Alpine Racer. The game was developed using Namco's Super System 22 hardware and featured realistic physics for a checkpoint-style racing experience.

The game featured three separate courses and allowed players to choose from three different characters, adding depth to the gameplay. The game was played on a large cabinet where players stood on ski-like foot platforms and moved them with horizontal motions to steer while holding onto stability bars, creating a physically immersive skiing experience.

Alpine Racer 2 achieved moderate commercial success however, some critics noted that while the courses were larger and more beautiful than the original, the core skiing mechanics and opponent AI remained unchanged, questioning whether there were enough improvements to sustain the game's novelty.

How to Play

Objective

The main goal of Alpine Racer 2 is to guide your skier down a snow-covered mountain course and reach the finish line in the fastest time possible. You must pass through all checkpoints along the course while avoiding obstacles and maintaining control at high speeds. The ultimate objective is to achieve the best race time and place first in the competition.

Controls

• Ski Platforms: Stand on the ski-like foot platforms
• Lean Forward/Backward: Shift your weight forward to accelerate and backward to decelerate
• Lean Left/Right: Shift your weight left or right to steer your skier and turn
• Stability Bars: Hold onto the side bars for balance and support during gameplay

Gameplay

• Starting the Game: Press the Start Button to begin your race.

• Character Selection: Choose your skier from the available options, each with different attributes like speed, control, and acceleration.

• Course Selection: Select from the available mountain courses, each with different challenges and difficulty levels.

• Race Mechanics: Control your skier by shifting your weight on the ski platforms to navigate down the mountain course.

• Checkpoint System: Pass through all designated checkpoints along the course to remain in the race. Missing a checkpoint may result in disqualification.

• Obstacle Avoidance: Navigate around obstacles such as trees, rocks, and other hazards that can slow you down or cause you to fall.

• Speed Management: Balance between maximum speed and maintaining control, as going too fast can make it difficult to navigate turns and avoid obstacles.

• Race Completion: Finish the race to receive your placement and time based on your performance. Winning races yields higher scores and potentially unlocks additional content.