Side Trak

Navigate a twisting rail network in Side Trak, an early maze-style game from Exidy released in 1979. As a train operator, your objective is to collect passengers waiting at various stations along the track while evading a pursuing "killer engine" intent on causing a collision. Players use a joystick to switch between different rail lines at junctions and a single button for bursts of speed, skillfully maneuvering to pick up every passenger before the relentless engine catches up. Success brings more than just points; completing a full circuit around the track adds another car to your train. Each additional car, along with strategically collected passengers from increasingly inner tracks—worth escalating point values—contributes to your score. The game’s simple black and white graphics and distinctive sound system represent an early iteration of Exidy's internal development platform. Side Trak offers a unique blend of timing and spatial reasoning as you race against the clock and a determined pursuer, providing a challenging single-player experience rooted in classic arcade gameplay.