Full Throttle (1987 video game)

Full Throttle, also known as Top Speed, is a one-player racing arcade game developed by Taito in 1987. It is very similar in style to the Out Run games in that it features a fast, red car hurtling through the US countryside. The key difference in gameplay is the addition of a nitro boost button. The game was released under the title Full Throttle in Japan, Top Speed in North America, and both Full Throttle and Top Speed in Europe.

Reception
In Japan, Game Machine listed Full Throttle on their November 15, 1987 issue as being the second most-successful upright arcade unit of the month.

Clare Edgeley of Computer and Video Games gave Top Speed a positive review, comparing it favorably to Out Run and stating "it must rank amongst the top as a realistic racing game with great graphics and smooth handling." Commodore User, on the other hand, rated Full Throttle five out of ten, calling it a clone of Out Run and comparing it unfavorably to Sega's game.

Legacy
This game was the forerunner of the Taito Z system on which Taito's driving games were based from 1988–91.

Director Hiroyuki Sakou went on to create Taito's Operation Thunderbolt a year later.