''H2Overdrive'' is a powerboat arcade racing game developed by Specular Interactive and released in 2009 by
Raw Thrills. It is considered a
spiritual successor
A spiritual successor (sometimes called a spiritual sequel) is a product or fictional work that is similar to, or directly inspired by, another previous product or work, but (unlike a traditional prequel or sequel) does not explicitly continue th ...
to 1999's ''
Hydro Thunder''. The game was also released in China by UNIS.
Gameplay
Players race using powerboats with various levels of difficulty against other boats, as well as seven other players on nearby cabinets. During the races, players can run into crates that give them power-ups that can range from speed boosts to MegaHull and HullCrusher abilities,
which can be used to destroy opposing boats.
On the cabinet, a throttle is used to move the boat, instead of pedals. On the throttle, a red button is used to boost the boat. Unlike in ''Hydro Thunder'', boats can now perform stunts, as well as various acrobatic maneuvers.
The game has a password entry system, which features a number keypad to store game data as the player progresses through the game,
and achievements that the player unlocks are available, and players can increase their rank and level until it reaches the
highest possible rank/level.
The game is played on a 42" LCD screen.
Development
The game was developed by Specular Interactive which consisted of former
Midway San Diego employees, along with ''
Hydro Thunder'' creator Steve Ranck. It was unveiled by Raw Thrills at the
Amusement Trades Exhibition International
The Amusement Trades Exhibition International (ATEI) is the major UK trade show
A trade show, also known as trade fair, trade exhibition, or trade exposition, is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and ...
in January 2009. The game is considered a spiritual successor to ''Hydro Thunder'', and was originally named ''Hydro Thunder 2'' before being renamed to its current name;
Midway had been intending on creating a sequel to the game, but the plan would later be scrapped – Midway would also declare bankruptcy the same year ''H2Overdrive'' released.
An unrelated game by the same name was developed for the
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October, in Europe on 24 Novembe ...
by
Crave Entertainment
Crave Entertainment (aka Crave Games) was an American video game publisher founded in 1997 by Nima Taghavi. Its headquarters was in Newport Beach, California. It was acquired by Handleman Company in 2005 in a deal valued up to $95,000,000 but w ...
in 2003, though the game was never released.
A similar game titled ''
Hydro Thunder Hurricane'' would however be released for the
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. As the successor to the Xbox (console), original Xbox, it is the second console in the Xbox#Consoles, Xbox series. It was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detail ...
console via
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade (or XBLA) was a video game Digital distribution in video games, digital distribution service that was available for the Xbox (console), Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles. It focused on smaller downloadable games from both major publisher ...
.
See also
* ''
Hydro Thunder Hurricane''
References
External links
Raw Thrills page
{{Raw Thrills
2009 video games
Arcade video games
Arcade-only video games
Motorboat racing video games
Video games developed in the United States
Video games set in Hong Kong
Raw Thrills games