In the late 1980s, arcade culture wasn’t just entertainment — it was a defining force that shaped an entire generation. Neon lights, the hum of CRT screens, the electric buzz of packed arcades. It was a time when video games weren’t just games. They were part of an awakening, a moment when a whole generation found new ways to dream, to compete, and to connect!
Go ahead - hit the play button below to be transported to the 80s.
For me, among all the legends that filled the arcade halls, OutRun stood in a class entirely its own.
OutRun wasn’t just another racing game — it was the fantasy of the open road made real. It captured the spirit of the ’80s much like TV shows such as The A-Team and Knight Rider lit up television screens, and movies like Back to the Future and Top Gun became cultural landmarks. When people thought of arcade greatness where I grew up, OutRun was at the top. It was the pinnacle.
And at the heart of OutRun’s magic was something that elevated it beyond anything else at the time: the music. In my humble opinion, OutRun has the best video game soundtrack ever composed. It wasn’t just background noise — it was the soul of the game. [Hiroshi Kawaguchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshi_Kawaguchi_(composer)’s brilliant compositions created a sun-drenched, carefree atmosphere that made you feel like you were living out a movie fantasy every time you slid behind the plastic wheel.
One of OutRun’s groundbreaking features was the ability to choose your own music before setting off — something no arcade game had offered before. And what a choice it was: a laid-back selection of Latin and Caribbean-flavored tracks that became as much a part of the OutRun experience as the 1986 red Ferrari Testarossa or the sunlit horizons.
Debates still rage online over which OutRun track reigns supreme. Magical Sound Shower — my personal vourite — often takes the top spot, and it’s no wonder, given how many bands and orchestras have covered it over the years. Passing Breeze usually follows closely behind, while Splash Wave — my second favourite — brings a distinct Miami-flavoured vibe that, despite its brilliance, sometimes doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Yet, in truth, each track is a masterpiece in its own right, each one capturing a different shade of Out Run’s timeless spirit.
OutRun wasn’t just a game — it was a sensation, a slice of a carefree dream world where the open road was endless, the sun was eternal, and the music never stopped playing.