OutRun Gameplay Laserdisc & VHS

I'm still beavering away, reverse engineering the OutRun source. I'm focusing on the sprite routines and level data at the moment. Both of which are quite complex. I've uncovered some pretty intriguing stuff, and understand why OutRun uses the convoluted jump table I mentioned in an earlier post. It's related to rendering the level data, and many of the repeated routines handle sprites.

But I'm not going to talk about that right now, as there's still further work to be done. Instead let's take a look at some curiosities I've found on ebay over the years.

First up is a rare Japanese video laser disc (i.e. not a game in anyway), manufactured by Pony Canyon in 1988. Pony Canyon are a Japanese publisher, who also published the MSX 2 version of Outrun. 

The laserdisc is a small 20cm disc, so requires an adapter to work in certain players. I don't have a laserdisc player, but the contents are probably an Outrun gameplay playthrough identical to the video below.

The accompanying booklet contains information on the stages in the game. I would love to get this translated if anyone can speak Japanese?

Pony Cannon also released the "Game Simulation Video" featured below in the same year. The video contains footage from Galaxy Force and Thunder Blade in addition to Outrun.

The booklet that accompanies the video, shows a range of these videos was available. Other titles included After Burner, Hang-On, R-Type, Street Fighter and more. Incidentally, at the time I purchased the Outrun LD, the same seller also had a Turbo Outrun disc. But I'm not a huge fan of Turbo Outrun, so I passed on that option.

I'd be interested to know if the recent Outrun anniversary soundtrack compilation contains the same gameplay video bonus disc. I notice it's also licensed from Pony Canyon.

I'll upload some more detailed images in a few days time. But for now, I'm heading to bed!

Update:

The following laserdisc appeared on ebay shortly after I posted this article. I'm presuming the contents are identical to the VHS and existing laserdisc I own.