Test Drive 2

The Duel: Test Drive II (often listed as “Test Drive 2”) - the 1989
racing game for Commodore 64 from Accolade.

Street race iconic exotics against the clock and a rival driver.
Read road signs, avoid traffic and cops, and hit checkpoints to
extend time across multi stage routes.

Core loop
- pick your car and course, then launch into a timed run
- overtake traffic - dodge police traps - and manage corners
- reach each checkpoint before the timer expires to finish the route

Systems and items
- cars - Porsche 959 and Ferrari F40 in the base game
- rival duel - AI opponent shadows your split and raises pressure
- police - radar traps trigger chases and fines
- expansion disks - extra cars and scenery packs extend the game
- clutch and gears - fire button or Return acts as clutch for shifts

Level design and feel
Horizontally scrolling highways with changing scenery sets and patrol
logic. Clean sense of speed, simple roadside cues, and a satisfying
checkpoint rhythm on C64.

Why it is notable
- developed by Distinctive Software; C64 version by Kris Hatlelid and
Kevin Pickell for Accolade in 1989
- official expansion ecosystem of car and scenery disks on C64

Tips
- lift before blind crests; many patrols lurk just beyond
- stay right when passing on curves to leave escape room
- short shifts keep revs in the power band without over revving

At a glance
Year - 1989
Developer - Distinctive Software
Design and programming - Kris Hatlelid - Kevin Pickell
Music - Kris Hatlelid
Publisher - Accolade
Genre - Racing
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2 - keyboard used for clutch/gears