{{Short description|1989 video game}} {{multiple issues| {{More footnotes needed|date=September 2019}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2019}} }} {{Infobox video game | title = S.T.U.N. Runner | image = Stun_Runner_arcade_flyer.png | caption = Arcade flyer | developer = Atari Games (arcade)<br>The Kremlin (ports)<br>Atari Corporation (Lynx) | publisher = '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|NA|Atari Games|EU|Jaleco<ref name="CU"/>|JP|Namco/Sega<ref name="MAD">{{cite web |title=S.T.U.N. RUNNER |url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M732120 |website=Media Arts Database |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |language=ja |access-date=14 July 2021}}</ref>}} '''Lynx'''<br>Atari Corporation | designer = Ed Rotberg | programmer = Andrew J. Burgess | artist = Sam Comstock<br>Will Noble<br>Kris Moser | composer = Don Diekneite<br>Brad Fuller | platforms = Arcade, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Lynx, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum | released = {{vgrelease|NA|September 11, 1989<ref>{{cite web |title=STUN Runner (Registration Number PA0000496308) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=United States Copyright Office |access-date=14 July 2021}}</ref>|EU|November 1989<ref name="CU"/>|JP|December 1989<ref name="MAD"/>}} | genre = Racing, vehicular combat | arcade system = Atari Hard Drivin' }}
'''''S.T.U.N. Runner''''' ('''S'''pread '''T'''unnel '''U'''nderground '''N'''etwork Runner)<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/ARCADE/SMALLFILENAME/stunrunner.pdf |title=S.T.U.N. Runner Operator's Manual |publisher=Atari Games |year=1989 |editor-last=Dencker |editor-first=Andrea |location=Milpitas, CA |pages=1}}</ref> is a 3D racing/shooter game released in arcades by Atari Games in 1989. The player pilots a futuristic vehicle which can exceed 900 mph, through various tunnels and courses with changing environments, hazards and enemies. ''S.T.U.N. Runner'' uses polygonal graphics for the vehicles and track, and is based on an evolution of Atari's ''Hard Drivin''' hardware. The custom cabinet was designed to resemble the craft that the player pilots in-game.
The arcade game was released in Europe by Jaleco,<ref name="CU"/> and in Japan by Namco and Sega.<ref name="MAD"/> Home ports were released for the Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. An Atari Lynx version was published by Atari Corporation in 1991.
==Gameplay== thumb|left|235px|Emulated arcade screenshot
The final goal is to reach the "Ultimate Challenge", an endless race filled with surprises, where the player must simply get as far as possible in the allotted time. Markers on the Ultimate Challenge course show the names of the five players who have traveled the furthest, and are tracked independently on the game's traditional high score table.
Twin triggers fire laser cannons mounted atop the craft, and the Start buttons double as the triggers for the Shockwave "smart bomb" weapon.
== Development == The game initially began as a remake of Atari's ''Tunnel Hunt''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Never Before Seen Atari Stuff at California Extreme (from Scott Evans) |url=https://rec.games.video.arcade.collecting.narkive.com/uFTeLpYS/never-before-seen-atari-stuff-at-california-extreme-from-scott-evans |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=rec.games.video.arcade.collecting.narkive.com}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=November 2023}}
The Lynx version was programmed by D. Scott Williamson, an employee of Atari who went on to form the development group Solid Software.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-10 |title=some pretty awesome graphics for the Lynx! |url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/188836-some-pretty-awesome-graphics-for-the-lynx/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=AtariAge Forums |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Reception== ''Commodore User'' reviewed the arcade game, giving it a 90% rating.<ref name="CU">{{cite magazine |title=Arcades: STUN Runner (Jaleco) |magazine=Commodore User |date=26 November 1989 |issue=75 (December 1989) |publisher=EMAP |location=United Kingdom |pages=124–5 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/286/300}}</ref>
==Legacy== ''S.T.U.N. Runner'' is included in ''Midway Arcade Treasures 3'' for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. It was also released for Microsoft Windows as part of ''Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition'' in 2006.
==References== {{reflist}}
*Game info, Midway Arcade Treasures 3 *Manual, Midway Arcade Treasures 3
==External links== *{{KLOV game|id=9393|name=S.T.U.N. Runner}} *[http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=2289 ''S.T.U.N. Runner''] at the Arcade History database *{{mobygames|/7561}}
{{Atari Games}}
Category:1989 video games Category:Amiga games Category:Amstrad CPC games Category:Arcade video games Category:Atari arcade games Category:Atari Lynx games Category:Atari ST games Category:Commodore 64 games Category:DOS games Category:Science fiction racing games Category:Namco arcade games Category:Sega arcade games Category:Vehicular combat games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:ZX Spectrum games Category:Jaleco games