Canoe Race (C64)

Canoe Race

Platform: Commodore 64 Year: 1985 Developer: Red-Arrow Software

Canoe Race (Canoeing on box and file name) is a watersports game with two events, each with two levels, for only one player. It looks very similar to Power Boat Race (C64) from the same companies.

Screenshots

The title screen. Press button and wait a second. New game. Canoe Slalom, as called in a later compilation. Finish. Time minus damage. Sunken or time up: No bonus, but continue. White Water. Or Wild. Or Shooting the Rapids.

Music

A jazz piece loops on the title screen. As usual for Julie Dunn's C64 music, it is very varied for its duration and features one of her piano runs. Canoe Race further features a walking bass, call and response, and a cymbal and hi-hat pattern. Her music driver has also become a bit more precise since Power Boat Race (C64).

In-game, three sound effects play for paddling, passing the next pole gate, and hitting ground at White Water. They are intermixed with the game code, so they are likely by the game programmer rather than Dunn.

Contemporary reviews have not been found. Nowadays, YouTube and Twitch commenters speculate what scenery would fit the music better.

Recording

The music was recorded from the game:

1. in VICE 3.10 with C64 PAL, like Dunn had.

A recording for C64C can be made if found different enough. The song was played twice, 10 seconds longer, and faded out.

#	Title	Composer	Length	Listen	Download
101	Title	Julie Dunn	0:51		Download

(No source. The song is currently titled after its occurrence. Julie Dunn should be asked for official titles.)

Credits

• Ripper: High Voltage SID Collection
• Recorder: Professor Chaos
• Game Credits:
  • Not Credited Composer: Julie Dunn
  • Not Credited Arranger: Julie Dunn
  • Not Credited Programmer: Julie Dunn
  • Not Credited Foley Artist: Unknown

(Source for arranger: In early 2015, Julie Dunn offered her old disks to the High Voltage SID Collection, who found Canoe Race there. Source for programmer: code comparison.)

Game Rip

Format	Download
	Download (Info)

Audio Devices

Music and sound play on the computer's built-in SID chip. The response instrument differs on the 8580 revision because it uses a combined wave.

An official NTSC release is not known.

Releases

UK Title: Canoeing Platform: Commodore 64 Released: 1985-??-?? Publisher: Eurogold     Netherlands Title: Canoeing Platform: Commodore 64 Released: 1985-??-?? Publisher: Eurogold     Germany Title: Canoeing Platform: Commodore 64 Released: 1985-??-?? Publisher: Eurogold     France Title: Canoeing Platform: Commodore 64 Released: 1985-??-?? Publisher: Eurogold     UK Title: Sport 4 Platform: CBM 64/128 Released: 1986-??-?? Publisher: Anco Software     Germany Title: Sport 4 Platform: CBM 64/128 Released: 1986-??-?? Publisher: Anco Software

Links

• mobygames.com/game/186274/sport-4/ - MobyGames on compilation.
• gamefaqs.gamespot.com/c64/388491-sport-4 - GameFAQs on compilation.