Lost In Translation/Route 16

This page is a stub for arcade games that are part of the Lost In Translation series using information based on MAME (version 0.113u2).
For an example of preferred content and layout please refer to Out Run or The Ninja Warriors.

Route 16
Manufacturer	Tehkan/Sun (Centuri license)
Released	1981
Control Method	4-way Joystick 1 Button(s)
Main CPU	(3x) Z80 (@ 2.500 MHz) Z80 (@ 2.500 MHz)
Sound CPU	Mono AY-3-8910A (@ 1.250 MHz)
Video Details	Raster (Vertical) 256 x 256 pixels 57.00 Hz Palette colours
Screens	1
ROM Info	12 ROMs 20,992 bytes (20.50 KiB)
MAME ID	route16 · route16a · route16b · routex

About The Game

Route 16 is a maze-based, overhead-view arcade video driving game.

The red car is controlled by the joystick feature, and is pursued through 16 different routes (mazes) by three chase cars. The search mode reveals an overview of all 16 routes, and the search mode appears whenever the car exits a route. In the search mode, the player car becomes a red cube, and the chase cars become yellow cubes.

Whenever the player car exits one route, there is a one second delay for a total overview of the game.

Each route has dead-ends, zig-zags, and multiple entrances and exits.

Some routes have the dollar symbol ($), and the player scores 200 points each time this symbol is cleared. The dollar symbols randomly chance to oil slicks, and when encountered, the oil slicks slow down the player car.

The question mark symbol (?) is surrounded by check points and will either reveal a bomb symbol or a bell mark after the player car clears the check point. The bell will add 800 points to the player's score when cleared. Player skill is tested here to avoid the bomb if it appears.

Some routes have a flag symbol, and when the player car clears the symbol, the pursuing cars become dollar symbols, and every effort should be made by the player to chase them down, and add extra points to his score.

One route has a flickering bonus car symbol. When the symbol appears, clear it and earn an additional player car.

One route has an additional game feature. When the player car enters the maze, it is pursued by an attacking monster. The player car cannot clear or collide with the monster, but must avoid it, or be destroyed.

The high-speed button is another feature of Route 16. When pushed, the player car is accelerated to escape the chase cars. Usage of the high-speed button reduces the player car's fuel. At the end of each round, bonus points are added to the player's score for remaining fuel.

After all the symbols are cleared, the round ends. In successive rounds, additional dollar symbols ($), and additional enemy chase cars are added.

Trivia

Licensed to Centuri for US manufacture and distribution (05/1981).

A bootleg of this game is known as "Route X". Another bootleg was released by Leisure and Allied as "Route 16".

Scoring

Item	Points
Round money bag	200
Larger money bag	800
Enemy cars	200, 400, 800, etc.
End of level bonus	10 x remaining fuel

Tips and tricks

• Remember that the biggest score available in the game by far is for the remaining fuel at the end of a level, so use your turbo boost sparingly and not at all if possible.

• When in a room with a chequered flag, try to lure as many of the enemy cars in as possible before getting the flag. The enemy cars automatically flee when they turn into money, so you need them grouped.

• When aiming to collect the money surrounded by the four squares, note that the first square turns the money into a bomb, so collect a second square before grabbing the money.

• Since the 12 outer rooms only have one entrance/exit, try and sneak in there when the opposition is furthest away, so that you can get in and out before they close in on you.

Cabinet and Artwork

• 

  Route 16 arcade cabinet.

• 

  Route 16 flyer.

• 

  Back of the Route 16 flyer.

• 

  Alternate Route 16 flyer.

• 

  Back of an alternate Route 16 flyer.

Ports

Consoles

Emerson Arcadia (1983)

Soundtrack Releases

Album Name	Catalogue No.	Released	Publisher	Comments
Classic in Game Music - Legend Compilation Series	SCDC-00463	2005-09-21	Scitron Discs	CD version.

References

The contents of this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
The sources used include MAME (version 0.113u2) and history.dat (revision 1.28 - 2008-10-18).
Please see http://www.arcade-history.com for credits.