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| Star Rider | |
|---|---|
 Sales flyer showing the arcade cabinet | |
| Developer(s) | Williams Electronics |
| Publisher(s) | Williams Electronics |
| Designer(s) | RJ Mical John Newcomer Python Anghelo |
| Programmer(s) | Richard Witt Ken Graham |
| Artist(s) | Python Anghelo |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Arcade system | Williams 6809 Rev.1 Videodisk |
Star Rider is a racing LaserDisc video game developed by Computer Creations and Williams Electronics, and released for arcades in 1983. The object of the game is to win a futuristic motorcycle race that takes place in surrealistic settings. The tracks themselves and the background graphics are video played from a laserdisc, and are of higher quality than possible with real-time computer graphics at the time. The foreground graphics and racers are superimposed on the video. Star Rider has a rear view mirror – possibly the first racing game with one – which warns of opponents approaching from behind.[1][2]
Star Rider was produced in both an upright and a sit-down version where the player would sit on a replica of the cycle. It was released after the video game crash of 1983 and was not widely distributed. According to Eugene Jarvis of Williams, Star Rider was a "major dog" and resulted in or contributed to a loss of US$50 million.[3] The title character from Sinistar and a flying mount from Joust make cameo appearances in the background graphics.