Super Hang-On Longplay (Arcade) [60 FPS]

Developed and published by Sega in 1987

Developed as a sequel to the original Hang-On, Super Hang-On was released by Sega into arcades some time during 1987. As was typical for the time, a deluxe sit-down cabinet was available in the form of a motorcycle, complete with appropriate controls.

The premise of the game is simple. You must complete a point-to-point race across a set number of stages, avoiding road-side obstacles and other riders while reaching checkpoints before the time limit expires. Unlike OutRun, Super Hang-On's courses are linear, but each difficulty contains a completely unique set of stages so there is some replay value here.

An addition to the sequel is inclusion of a turbo boost that can be activated once the bike reaches it's normal maximum speed of 280 kph. Activating the boost will accelerate the bike to an eye-popping 324 kph, but should be used with extreme caution when entering corners; you'll quickly find yourself skidding off the track and ending up making a very nasty stain on the tarmac.

It's interesting to note that the developers purposely designed the controls so that the bike doesn't begin to corner until the rider shifts his weight to the corresponding side of the bike. This means that 'S' bends can be particularly troublesome to handle because you can't instantly steer left or right; you have to wait for the biker to cycle through a number of animation frames before the effect is felt.

Graphically, Super Hang-On might not look as flashy as OutRun, but it simply cannot be touched for sheer, raw speed. This game moves so quickly that it will leave scorch marks on your retinas and is a testament to the power of the 'Super-Scalar' arcade boards that Sega used to power some of their most iconic games. The main player sprite is crisp, sharp and well drawn; there are multiple frames to the "hang-off" animation when the bike steers and gives a convincing sense of weight to the driving.

As with OutRun, the game allows the player to select one of four different music tracks to accompany their ride. Although the music of a high standard, none of the tunes come anywhere near to being as catchy or memorable as those from it's car-based sibling.

Obviously, you expect a coin-op to be difficult (considering owners want players to keep spending money), but Super Hang-On is whole new kind of tough. Whereas OutRun had roads up to 5 lanes wide, Super Hang-On has a fixed width road of 2 lanes and never deviates from this. The narrower road makes for a considerably tougher game and your reactions will be sorely tested as you try to stay on the road. The more difficult courses also seem to spawn more opponent bikers during the later stages, meaning you'll lost more precious seconds due to collisions and dismounts.

It's this level of difficulty that makes Super Hang-On somewhat unpalatable. Getting dismounted pretty much guarantees that you won't reach the end of the course in time and the sheer concentration needed to play the game will probably leave you feeling a little ragged.

It's worth mentioning that the game has dip switch settings for both game difficulty and the amount of bonus time awarded when reaching a checkpoint. This longplay and review was done using default "Normal" value for both settings.

With it's super-fast graphics and flashy cabinet, Super Hang-On is a visual spectacle that you should try at least once. However, the difficulty level and concentration required to play this makes me question whether it possesses the "just one more go" factor of other titles.

#retrogaming
#sega
#retrogames

[edsstokes]

This is 37 years old and still vastly more playable than any Moto GP game- despite such stunning graphics. Sega always delivered perfection on all levels and pushed the limitations of hardware.

[kzbxvz]

No other than Sega could produce souch wonderful racing games & music back in the 80's.

[dnakatomiuk]

I was surprised they never did anymore Super Hangon games for the Saturn and Dreamcast. Sega sat on so many great IPs for years and it's taken what 35 years to now get them to bring some back officially.

[BurningArt]

The colour swatches in this game are so beautiful... ...such classy art direction.

[netuser]

The best racing game ever this is PURE playability the real gaming. The concept challenge to insert a coin to do better score than others still is very alive.

[dossantos]

Dude, I almost cry seeing this video. Pure nostalgia.

[GoldenGrenadier]

Sega sure did realize the importance of a high and consistent framerate. This and Daytona USA prove that it's essential.

[TheCB]

The music & sound effects were brilliant. Good memories 😌

[geralt_di_rivia]

No other modern games give the same speed feeling. And the palette is perfect. This is not nostalgia, it's a fact.

[markbyrne]

Oh my childhood right here. Wonderful memories.

[frankyfourfingers]

I went to a yard sale with my dad when I was a little kid (early 90's) and the guy had a Super Hang-on cabinet (with the bike) for sale. He let me free-play it while my dad talked to him. It was awesome.

[FourBlackRabbits]

Even today, "Outride a Crisis" gets my heart pumping

[ariesunique]

The old guy surprise making everyone faint at the end was it for me. Loved it

[Sinasi]

This was so loud in the arcades! You couldn't hear any other game when someone was playing! Fantastic music!!

[jpetersongaming]

Why is this game so memorable? Two words. Yu Suzuki.

[BlaximilianDd]

A game I fell in love with. loads of fun with the TURBO 🏍️

[KawaiiNeko]

My 7-year old self is jealous at this awesome gameplay!

[ALRetrogamingLongplays]

Super Hang-On Longplay (Arcade) [60 FPS]: Hold on to your seat in this blisteringly fast bike racer from Sega.

Read the video description for my review!

[DarkStarGSK]

The feeling you get after you modify your bike and hit that TURBO on the Genesis. Love this game!

[rodolfoperez]

The best arecade motorcycle game ever! Super hang on number 1 forever!!! Very good and very impresse game playing! 👏👏👏