TV Arcade Series: Speedway / Tag

TV Arcade Series: Speedway / Tag is a video game in the action genre developed by RCA Corporation and published by Academy originally released in 1977. It is currently playable on RCA Studio II.

TV Arcade Series: Speedway / Tag brings two competition-style games to the RCA Studio II in one cartridge package. The program offers a choice of play mode at the start, letting players shift between a fast-moving track challenge and a pursuit-and-avoid chase. Designed for short, repeatable sessions, the games present quick actions and clear success conditions that rely on timing and control rather than complex strategy. The display emphasizes immediate readability, with high-contrast motion and simple objects that remain easy to track during play.

In Speedway, the player pilots a vehicle along a scrolling roadway that forms the core visual pattern on the screen. The track advances continuously, while the player steers to avoid oncoming hazards and to remain aligned with safe portions of the course. Movement is controlled with the Studio II controller so the vehicle can shift left or right in response to the track’s movement. As obstacles appear, staying centered becomes critical, and the game tests reflexes with repeated near-misses and tightening lanes.

In Tag, the emphasis shifts to a chase mechanic framed around catching or evading an opponent symbol. One participant takes the role of the chaser, while the other attempts to avoid contact by moving away and maneuvering within the active play area. The pursuit is governed by responsive directional control, with movement designed to feel immediate and reactive. Success depends on positioning: the chaser closes distance with continuous movement, while the evader relies on sharp changes to force timing errors.

Both games present a streamlined interaction model built around the RCA Studio II’s streamlined controls and video output. The visuals are monochrome and geometric, using bright lines and block-like shapes to define the track, player vehicle, obstacles, and chase targets. The screen composition keeps a clear sense of motion, with the track or play field advancing to create urgency and a constant need to adjust. The overall presentation favors clarity over detail, ensuring that hazards and targets are always discernible against the background.

Audio accompaniment is kept simple and functional, relying on short tones and beeps triggered by key events such as steering emphasis, successful contact, or collision outcomes. The sound stays closely tied to gameplay feedback, helping players judge timing during fast exchanges. With each attempt, the player experiences a cycle of rapid decision-making, immediate consequences, and repeat attempts to improve control—whether threading the vehicle through Speedway or outmaneuvering a pursuer in Tag.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.