Reception
Checkered Flag for the Atari Jaguar received mixed reception from critics, most of which compared it to Virtua Racing.[34][47][52] Internal documentation from Atari Corporation showed that the game had sold 20,257 copies by April 1, 1995.[53] Computer and Video Games' Edward Lawrence and Mark Patterson stated that the game was quite technically accomplished, but criticized the jerky frame rate and sluggish handling of the vehicle. They also saw the lack of a two-player mode as a major oversight.[33] GameFan's Dave Halverson and Nicholas Dean Des Barres commended the game's colorful smooth-shaded polygonal graphics and music, but faulted its touchy controls, absurd AI, and frustrating gameplay.[54]
Joypads Nini Nourdine gave positive remarks to the visuals, numerous circuits, and weather conditions, but the low number of opponents on the track, execrable handling of the vehicle, technical bugs, and lack of a two-player mode were criticized.[35] Games Worlds four reviewers praised Checkered Flag on the Jaguar for its slick polygonal visuals and customizable vehicles. One of the four reviewers favored it over Virtua Racing for being more faster and having more tracks.[42] Mega Funs Martin Weidner noted the game's fast graphics but lambasted its imprecise controls.[37] Player Ones Christophe Pottier pointed out the steering controls as a gameplay issue and criticized the game's choppy frame rate.[39] Ultimate Future Games commended the game's variety of courses and viewpoints, but saw the bland visuals, sound effects, and gameplay as shortcomings.[49]
MAN!AC's Robert Bannert highlighted the game's variety of options, but felt that the driving experience and graphics were below those of Virtua Racing.[36] Next Generation highlighted the selection of tracks, weather conditions, and vehicle customization, but they expressed that the game's blend of "celerity without control ensures many hours of frustrating gameplay".[38] Marc Abramson of the French ST Magazine commended the Gouraud-shaded visuals, but found the vehicle difficult to control.[46] VideoGames gave positive remarks to the game's soundscape, distinct tracks, and multiple viewpoints. Conversely, they faulted its graphics, awkward playability, poor frame rate, and lack of multiplayer mode.[51] GamePros Sarah Nade singled-out the lack of a two-player mode as the game's biggest flaw, and Play Times Stephan Girlich panned its imprecise controls.[44][55]
An editor of German publication ST-Computer gave the game's visuals positive remarks for their variety and depictions of the different weather conditions, but criticized its audio department, gameplay, controls, and unfair AI.[45] Video Games Hartmut Ulrich lambased the gameplay for its sensitive controls, and opined that Virtua Racing Deluxe on 32X looked better than Checkered Flag on the Jaguar.[40] Última Generacións José Luis Sanz commended the game's colorful scenery, but faulted its rampant slowdown and abrupt controls.[48] Writing for the German magazine Jaguar, Daniel Jaeckel commended the game's fun factor, while Digital Press' Edward Villalpando criticized the audiovisual presentation and controls.[41][43] Bromba of Polish publication Top Secret gave it a perfect rating and regarded it as the best racing game for the Jaguar.[50]
Retrospective coverage
Retrospective commentary for Checkered Flag on the Jaguar has been equally mixed. The Atari Times' Gregory D. George felt the game's visuals were better than Virtua Racing, but panned its controls.[56] Brett Daly of Jaguar Front Page News (a part of the GameSpy network) lauded the game's polygon graphics and audio, but criticized its touchy gameplay and lack of a save feature during tournament mode.[57] Author Andy Slaven commended the game's polygonal models and backgrounds, but wrote that the controls were a "complete wreck".[58] Nils of the German website neXGam found the game's visuals to be endearing but noted the lack of a two-player mode, and faulted its annoying controls and AI.[59]
