The new version (whose development seems to be stuck in game limbo) is a LOT better than the monster the old version had become. The mechanics are much more managable, faster playing, less complex & detailed, and more enjoyable. I wouldn't mind paying a few extra bucks for actual die-cut counters. I really hope that SJG comes out with the long-promised Vehicle Design Book.... I'm not holding my breath though...

Actually yes, I should probably have included the new version as a seperate entity. I have played the new version and liked it, but without the design rules it is never going to be the same game. I even tried reverse engineering things from the various supplements, but only got so far before realising there are some things that you just can't work out (e.g. maximum spaces).

I emailed SJG about the new design rules, and apparently there are no longer any plans to publish them, so I guess we'll never see them.

the long-promised Vehicle Design Book....
I've been waiting that book for almost two years.
Once (June 2003) I wrote to SJ and they replied that the book was "killed" during playtesting and they were going to re-write it entirely.
I'm still waiting...

I used to love this. Especially with Dueltrack added (both of which i still own). I used to make up whole teams of cars (with the Dueltrack rules) and be really excited when it came to racing them, and then the racing took so bloody long i'd give up after 2 laps. I have thought about making a decent PC conversion a hundred times, i may get around to it sometime.

Dueltrack also has rules for Crossbows and (something), which was Car Wars in a Mad Max era, was much more fun.

For a game (system) that seemed to be at one time SJG's flagship, they certainly appear to have abandoned all interest in supporting it or developing anything new.

(Like I said above, I'd really like to see some die-cut counters for this game--I HATE cutting things out. )

Car Wars is fantastic, but takes way to long to play. The car mechanics are spot on and feel very realistic. But when your gaming group gets exhausted before you complete “20 seconds” in Car Wars time, you know something wrong. If you’re willing to invest the time, you will be very happy with this auto combat game, otherwise you should play Battlecars or Gorkamorka.

I played this a lot in high school; I wish I could find a copy now. It was fun making up stats for all of our old Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars, which were just about the right scale. I seem to recall that we built a turning template to handle off road maneuvers.

I have seen it on eBay, but always for more than I was willing to pay. I'd definitely buy it if I saw it cheap though, I have nostalgic feelings towards it.

I used to have this a long time ago, and seem to recall some balance issue with turret-based weapons? As I recall, they were too powerful since you could relatively easily avoid the lines of fire of fixed weapons, but turrets would have a free shot pretty much every turn.

This game isn’t all that bad, but you must find the death race campaign. It would be fun with some serious racers that start off with Junkers! The comment about the unbalanced turrets seems about right. Also proper fights between two groups at opposite ends of the road were quite strange with weird turning around rules. One of these days I will start up a racing league.

The 45 degree turn is only a slight curve. Wait until you're trying to perform 90 degree turns, or even 135 degree corners

The great thing about Battlecars is the mechanics are spot on. Try performing a 90 degree turn at a slow speed and you will manage it more or less every turn. But try it at a high speed and you end up either spinning out, or overshooting the turn, resulting in a cool powerslide.

Of all the games here (that I dont already own), this is the one I most want to get my hands on. I think it is the one that is closest to car wars - i.e. a simulative combat driving game rather than a race with combat elements. Hopefully I will be able to find a copy.

A brilliant game which always resulting in a lot of laughs every time we played. Despite no role-playing elements in the game we used to come up with scenarios with atmospheric backgrounds to them that made the game feel a lot deeper. But always a lot of fun. Try and get a copy (and Battlebikes, the expansion for bikes, as well).

The computer game version of this for the ZX Spectrum was my favourite compute game for a long time

played both carwars and this...

this wins every time - it's just so much easier and more fun to play

I've got a copy of this for trade, if you're interetsed.

It is a very luck heavy, light card game.
I've gotten women at work to play it, if that counts for anything.

If you don't take the game seriously, it can be fun. It's like a more complicated version of Naval War. For added fun, get Battle Cattle as the two game systems are compatible.

Being a CarWars fan at the time, I got this when it was first published. But none of us liked it much, too simplistic and didn't convey the excitement of an mobile fight.

I'll chime in and disagree here. It's not too abstract, you build the race course as you drive, move your cars around, pass each other, shoot each other. Cardplay dictates your weapons, and there are 26 car upgrade counters for interesting options. I made a bunch of painted/weaponed matchbox cars to replace the cardboard car tiles that come with the game. My favorite, having also played Car Wars, Car Wars Card Game, Dark Future, and Wreckage. I didn't realize Gorkamorka was a car battle game. I'll check it out.

Hmm, might take a look at this one then, if I can find a copy. Thanks for the heads up.

I just happen to have an unused copy for sale...

Plays rather well.

I too have a copy of this for trade / sale. It's not bad but rather dry for my tastes. Racing games should be FAST, not mechanically bogged-down (my main criticism of Car Wars, as it happens).

Different from the others, in that you don't have the same visual sensation of having the little cars zipping about in relative distance to each other. But a really interesting mechanic, lots of suspense (at least until you know you don't have the fickle-finger-of-fate card, which means someone WILL get to do you in), and once you get used to playing cards instead of moving little pieces it moves quickly.

Don't look for any depth here, but it is a great luck based thriller filler.

I had this game as a kid. It may still be kicking around the attic somewhere. It was a fun game, but not a whole lot of depth. One of the mechanics from the game I remember was that the players had to move their units forward while attacking or avoiding other pieces, and when one unit reached the end of the farthest board the first board would be dumped, including any pieces still in play on it. That made it kind of fun to manage which pieces you'd move and which you'd ignore.

I never played the game, but I have a couple cars painted. I could never locate the Orange Rules to describe how to use the monster trucks. I painted up a plethora of weapons and I was willing to let friends build there own cars. Despite my generosity, we just never got around to playing the game. (Maybe Wizkids can rip it off, since it had the collectable thing going.)

I've played once, with 3. It was ok, but seems like it would work better with 5+ players.

Soooooo...does the WINNER not have to be 'fed' to the "almighty ONE!"?

It's mostly theme, but the mechanics aren't that bad. I've only played it once, but I think it still might get more playings, even after you've read through all the cards.

I "reviewed" this one in my Batty's Best Game Fest 4 list (that's Pimp #2, for those keeping track...), and I'll redirect you there, rather than repeat all that.

My gaming group like Cthulhu as a whole, but I am leaning towards letting this one pass. I get the feeling it would be enjoyed a few times but would quickly be relegated to the "drawer of games we no longer play" (sure is crowded in there ) Maybe one of the others will buy it and I'll get to play it anyway.

Yep....grey usnits just won't do. The game is hilarious! Had a tough time getting hard core GW players to play the game....but there are a small group of us that just love the game!

Out of all the Auto Combat games we played this was the best. Gorkamorka didn’t take as long to play as Car Wars, but it also lacks the “Driving Physics” Car Wars uses. It is a fine balance between too many rules and fun game play. You can Build your cars, level up your characters, and have great Ork-y fun! I know the miniature thing can get you down, but it’s worth it! Just spray your orks green and your trucks / tracks Silver. I numbered my ork’s bases to identify them because using the exact miniature is ridiculous. If you find someone with this game, it is a must play. You just have to keep in mind that the orks are driving riding lawnmowers with a mind of their own.

Looks like fun. Not a "serious" one, but has the distinct advantage of being in print, unlike most of the ones I listed. I might take a look at this.

Thanks. I have played Formula De and liked it - dont own it myself though. Hmm.. do I think I'll be able to convince Jon to try a combat variant...

You really do not need Car Wars rules to have car death. Just push you cars.

My group of gamers stopped playing this for a time because 50% of the cars were not crossing the finishing line in a typical game. Everyone was pushing their cars around the corners, skimping on engine or body points to get more tires and taking too many chances.

Looks a little light on the combat, but still looks like it could be good for a laugh. As a consequence, it would probably go down better with the less car wars friendly elements of my group than the more obviously car-wars-y games listed here.

Not at all. It has mostly ramming, dropping spikes & oil and, if you pull into the pits, you can add upgrades that include weapons and missiles. COOL!

It's a German-style game (driving East German cars) of car crashing mayhem!