A racing game with a Mad Max flavor, Atari's Road Blasters put the fun back into road races to the death. In a futuristic world made up entirely of highway systems, players had to drive and shoot if they wanted to survive the 50 levels of combat rallies and emerge victorious--and alive.

Driving an armored sports car with the yoke steering wheel, the player had an arsenal of laser beams and unlimited ammo. Along the way you had to blast away at other cars on the road and roadside cannons as well as avoid potholes, mines and other hazards.

Crashing your car didn't cost a life and sometimes it was better to use the vehicle as a weapon instead of regular ammo. For example, ramming into the gun turrets on the side of the road earned more points which translated into more fuel awarded at the end of each level.

Your car had to escape all the enemy cars and motorcycles and have enough fuel to make several checkpoints along the track. Fuel globes were available to replenish your reserves and a support aircraft randomly dropped aid packages on your car, containing limited use power-ups: an Uzi, a nitro injector for added speed, a powerful Cruise missile and an Electro shield.

Running out of fuel between checkpoints cost you dearly so it was good strategy to keep an eye on the fuel gauge at all times.

To sweeten the deal, Atari offered a free T-shirt giveaway to players who competed in all 50 levels. Though the game debut during the slump in the arcade market, Road Blasters supplied enough excitement and variation of play to attract a loyal group of fans, T-shirt or no.