Heart Like a Wheel

Heart Like a Wheel is a racing game prototype for the Atari 2600, developed by Jim Collas and commissioned by Twentieth Century Fox through Micro Computer Technologies. It was based on the 1983 film about female drag-racing driver Shirley Muldowney, but was cancelled after the film performed poorly.

The game expands on the formula of Dragster and Drag Race with a behind-the-car perspective similar to Enduro. Players accelerate, shift through four gears, manage engine temperature, steer around the lane, and deploy a parachute after crossing the finish line. Over-revving the engine or failing to slow down can result in a crash.

Racing Variations

• City street race: Uses stock cars and a flagman to start the race.
• Desert drag race: Uses dragsters and an automatic starting light, with faster and more demanding gear changes.

The prototype includes computer-controlled opponents in yellow, blue, and red difficulty levels. Its controls and progression were unfinished, and planned elements such as automatic race starts and additional tracks were not completed.