Traverse USA / Zippy Race

Race across America in Traverse USA (also known as Zippy Race), a fast-paced motorbike game for two players released by Irem in 1983. Players alternate taking on challenging courses that wind through iconic American cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. The gameplay centers around skillful maneuvering along narrow roads and hairpin turns while avoiding rival cars and obstacles—fuel management is key to reaching the finish line before your tank runs dry. Choose from three engine classes – 500cc, 750cc, or 1200cc – each offering a different balance of speed and control. Some stages feature desert landscapes between cities like Las Vegas and Houston, where traversal involves navigating uneven terrain with unique challenges. Players use a simple two-button control scheme to accelerate and brake as they strive for the top spot on the leaderboards. The game's title and speed units (miles or kilometers per hour) are adjustable via dip switches, providing slight variations in gameplay experience. Mastering techniques such as briefly holding both buttons to temporarily stabilize speed can be crucial for success against increasingly competitive opponents.