How to Play Pole Position

Basic Controls

• 1

  Hold down the accelerator button to make the car run, and use the control pad or wheel to move. On most console re-releases, the accelerator is the A button.

• 2

  Shift into high gear after you pass 170 mph. This is needed to keep accelerating at your highest pace. If you must restart in mid race, shift back down to low gear.

• 3

  Handle the turns by moving to the inside lane and letting off the accelerator. If you're at the right speed for the turn, you'll shoot around it without having to move the car. You'll see street signs that warn of a turn.

Play the Game

• 4

  Select the track to start the game. The original Pole Position has only one track. Pole Position II has a choice of four with different levels of difficulty.

• 5

  Run one lap to qualify for the race. The qualifying run stars at 90 seconds. You need to finish with more than 15 seconds left to make the top eight.

• 6

  Run the race, starting from whatever spot you qualified in. Your clock starts the race at 75 seconds and resets to 50 when you finish a lap. The race lasts for up to four laps, or until you run out of time.

• 7

  Avoid hitting any objects like road signs or opposing cars. You'll wreck if you hit them and lose time restarting.

• 8

  Avoid the puddles in the road, as they will slow you down. Puddles only appear in the race, not qualifying.