280 ZZZAP is a racing arcade video game designed by Jamie Fenton for Dave Nutting Associates. Based on Nissan's Datsun 280Z, it is one of the earliest games with authorized branding.[3]

280 ZZZAP
In-game screenshot
Developer(s)Dave Nutting Associates
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Jamie Fenton[2]
Dave Nutting[2]
Platform(s)Arcade, Astrocade
Release
  • NA: February 1977
Genre(s)Racing[2]
Mode(s)Single-player
Arcade systemIntel 8080-based hardware

Gameplay edit

Players can drive up to 200 miles per hour (320 km/h) while navigating a tricky road course at night. Players must watch out for treacherous turns, nasty competitors, and the ever-present time limit.

Release edit

Midway demonstrated the game under the name Midnight Racer at the AMOA show in November 1976. It drew comparisons to Night Driver, demonstrated at the same show by Atari, Inc.. Both games are derived from the earlier German night driving video game Nürburgring 1 demonstrated at the German IMA show in Spring 1976.[4] Before release in February 1977, the game was re-branded 280 ZZZAP after the US advertising campaign for Nissan's Datsun 280Z.

Reception edit

On the US Play Meter arcade chart, 280 ZZZAP was the year's ninth highest-grossing arcade game of 1977.[5] On the US RePlay arcade chart, it was the tenth highest-grossing arcade video game of 1977.[6] On Japan's Game Machine arcade chart, it was among the top 20 highest-grossing arcade video games of 1977.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 41, 124. ISBN 978-4990251215.
  2. ^ a b c d Datsun 2800 ZZZAP at GameFAQs
  3. ^ Bogost, Ian (2007). Persuasive Games: The Expressive Power of Videogames. MIT Press. p. 200. ISBN 9780262026147.
  4. ^ "Sexton Star of MOA Seminar: Video". Play Meter. Vol. 2, no. 14. December 1976. pp. 20-26 (23-6).
  5. ^ "Top Arcade Games". Play Meter. November 1977.
  6. ^ "Profit Chart". RePlay. November 1977.
  7. ^ "結果ベスト3" [Best 3 Results] (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 90. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 February 1978. pp. 2–3.