Starsky & Hutch Game Launches

Starsky and Hutch exploded onto all platforms in the UK today - take a look at some screenshots and details inside.

Developed by Mind's Eye and published by Empire Interactive, Starsky & Hutch is the eagerly awaited action racing title based on the seventies super-cop series. Empire celebrated in East London today by inviting the press to the world's largest ever cardboard sculpture of the series trademark red vehicle, a world record games PR stunt if ever there was one. The structure was fastened together using 30,000 special rivets from Textron Fastening Systems, and was quite big.

Antonio Fargas, who played Huggy Bear in Starsky & Hutch, pictured with Empire's Marketing Manager Nina Jenkins, at the game's launch party in London.

During the funky 70's, Starsky & Hutch were the staple diet for evening viewing and playground banter alike. And now thanks to Empire Interactive Entertainment you can stop racing round London in your Ford Focus at breakneck speeds and jumping on people's bonnets in ASDA car parks because Starsky & Hutch is now out on all formats. The game will be published by Rockstar in the US, with a September 9 release date expected.

Following the style of the TV show the game won't just simply be another driver/shooter. In each level you'll have to maintain viewer ratings (VR) that acts like a timer. Saunter around Bay City carefully obeying the speed limit and people will switch off with boredom; reproduce the over the top driving of the cult duo performing corner slides and ploughing through every cardboard box infested alley that gets in the way and your ratings will soar.

Although the game can be played in standard one player mode controlling both the driving and the shooting both versions will allow a friend to pick up the controller (light gun support for PS2) and blast away while you put the pedal to the metal downtown. But if you're Johnny no mates then an AI Starsky will pop up during the action to give you advice and generally hurl abuse at the crims.

The game features 15 square miles with over 150 miles of road of Bay City to explore, a host of vehicles to unlock and six weapons to wield against the perps. Authentic voiceovers are provided from from Antonio Fargas, the ultra cool Huggy Bear - and what's more, Empire have acquired the services of leading game music composers Richard Jacques and Tim Follin, two experienced industry musicians and come with an impressive CV of classics under their belt - including many loved Sega titles in the case of Jacques.

Stay tuned for the full review, and in the meantime check out these screenshots.

Adam Doree
Wasn't around much in the Seventies.