Test Drive is a racing simulator developed and published by Accolade for DOS in 1987. You choose one of five licensed exotic cars — the Ferrari Testarossa, Lamborghini Countach, Porsche 911 Turbo, Lotus Turbo Esprit, or Chevrolet Corvette — and race from the cockpit through a winding mountain highway, dodging oncoming traffic and police cruisers while the clock runs down. It was among the first driving games to feature real car licences and a true cockpit perspective, and the combination made it a landmark of the late-80s DOS catalogue.
How to play
The goal is to complete the mountain stage before time expires. The game runs in the browser using standard DOS keyboard controls: arrow keys handle steering, acceleration, and braking. Police cars patrol the road at intervals — getting pulled over for speeding costs you seconds. Oncoming traffic becomes the bigger hazard through the tight hairpin bends higher up the mountain.
Tips
- Match the car to your driving style: the Testarossa and Countach have the highest top speeds but are less forgiving through corners; the Porsche and Lotus give you more control on the tighter sections.
- Police patrols concentrate on predictable stretches — ease off the throttle through those zones rather than collecting a costly ticket.
- Enter hairpins from the outside and cut toward the apex; braking too late or too early both kill your exit speed and send you into the barrier.
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