Pitstop II

Pitstop II: Competitive Racing on a Single Screen

Released in 1984 by Epyx, Pitstop II was a revolutionary racing title that pushed the limits of what the Commodore 64 and other 8-bit systems could do. As one of the first split-screen, head-to-head racing games, it brought real-time two-player competition to home systems—a rare treat in the early '80s.

Pitstop II vs Pitstop: What's New?

While Pitstop II keeps the core gameplay loop of its predecessor—racing, tire wear, fuel management, and manual pit stops—it introduces several key improvements that make it a much more ambitious and competitive experience.

• Split-Screen Multiplayer: The most important evolution is the addition of a true two-player mode. Players can now race simultaneously with a horizontal split-screen view. Even in single-player mode, the screen is always split, with a CPU-controlled opponent in the lower section.
• More Competitors on Track: Aside from the main contenders, up to eight AI-controlled cars participate in the race. These vehicles don’t make pit stops but have lower top speeds, adding a sense of track traffic and competition.
• Turbo Boost Option: A new turbo feature allows you to increase your speed temporarily, but at the cost of faster fuel consumption—adding a layer of risk vs reward to your racing strategy.
• Streamlined Pit Stop Crew: Unlike the original game, where each tire had its own crew member, Pitstop II simplifies the pit crew to just two people: one for refueling and one for handling all the tires. Pit stops are also split-screen, meaning your opponent continues racing while you refuel.
• Improved Visuals: The graphics are more polished, with cleaner car designs and smoother animation, especially noticeable on the Commodore 64 version.

With these upgrades, Pitstop II feels like a natural evolution—enhancing competition, pacing, and technical finesse, while preserving the tactical essence of the original game.

Gameplay: Racing with a Tactical Twist

Players race Formula 1-style cars on a selection of international tracks, managing not only speed and steering but also tire wear and fuel. The game’s biggest innovation? The pit stop mechanic. You must pull into the pit to change tires and refuel, manually controlling your crew with joystick input. It's surprisingly strategic—ignore the pit stop and risk blowing a tire mid-race.

The two-player mode uses a split-screen setup, allowing for side-by-side racing in real time—a feature way ahead of its time. It's fast, colorful, and surprisingly tactical.

Verdict

Pitstop II stands as one of the most iconic racing games of the 8-bit era. The unique pit strategy, real-time multiplayer, and fluid racing controls make it not only historically important, but still fun to revisit.

Pros

✔ Real-time two-player split-screen racing.

✔ Unique pit stop mechanic adds depth.

✔ Simple but satisfying driving controls.

Cons

✘ AI in single-player mode is limited.

✘ Graphics are functional but basic.

Final Score (Commodore 64):

84%