For the 99 cents I paid for it, I can recommend it. However, wouldn't recommend 80's Overdrive for more than $5. There just isn't much here for more than a few bucks.
I don't mind shallow retro racing games, but 80's Overdrive feels a lot more like Pole Position (Atari 2600 or 7800, take your pick) than even the early NES game Rad Racer. Except never have I played a racing video game that wants the player to make a hard left to avoid the bulk of the CPU racers as their tires fail to grip. Beyond that, it is just a matter of avoiding the sides of the track, traffic and other racers. As well as the occasional police that only target the player pulling a head, getting in the path and stopping three times before giving up.
80's Overdrive offers a few cars and upgrades. However, I never really noticed much of a difference in my cars performance against the top couple of racers beyond becoming mandatory to keep up. The upgrades more often felt like my car had less control as I could no longer hold down the gas around every turn. And I suspect that will become the case further and further into the game.
Perhaps the most annoying element of 80's Overdrive is the upkeep and fees. Every race, including the very first one, require an entry fee. Your car also uses fuel that has to be purchased to fill the tank. In addition, any damage your car takes will eventually need to be repaired. All this takes money out of the race earnings the player gains. Meaning the player should always keep a bit of a bankroll, or else end up playing a little car washing mini-game to get enough cash to enter racing again. None of it is particularly engaging or fun. Just tedious to top off fuel and repairs or keep a little scratch in the bank instead of buying that new part or car.
There is also an Out Run style time trial. This links bunch of the courses together. Many of which do have a sort of Out Run look to them already. It's fine. Though, I'd rather just play Out Run instead.
Perhaps the most compelling part of this game is the 18 music tracks. It's mostly electronica/techno type-stuff, but overall some really good tunes to race to. The game even allows the player to cycle through them all while racing. Which is pretty neat.
Some of the reviews mention that all the tracks are flat. That isn't strictly true. Many of the early tracks are flat, but the mountain track has some undulating hills. They aren't super steep or long compared to many of the racing games 80's Overdrive took inspiration from, but the hills as small as they are, have a pretty convincing effect.
My biggest complaints are that the gameplay is shallow. Which for me wanting a retro-style, simple game isn't that big of a deal. However, to give the game an illusion of depth, new cars and be purchased and upgraded. Though this is more of a keeping up with Jones than anything to make the player feel like they are making progress. And I could absolutely do without needing upkeep of fuel, repairs or race fees. The car washing mini-game isn't fun nor technically annoying enough, but having to go back to the cheaper entry fee races to build a nest egg certain is.
