Description

"A Great Day at the Races" is an interactive video game released for the Philips CD-i platform, presenting players with a comprehensive horse racing experience. Developed to utilize the multimedia capabilities of the CD-i system, the game offers not only the thrill of horse racing but also delves into the strategic aspects of horse breeding and race betting. Players can enjoy various aspects of horse racing, from selecting promising horses based on detailed statistics to training them and preparing for races. The goal is to manage a stable effectively and accumulate wealth by winning races and betting on the right horses. Visuals are primarily video-based, featuring real footage of races and a mix of graphics for menus and stat screens, which was quite innovative at the time.

The game was released during the lifetime of the Philips CD-i, which was not just a video game console but also a multimedia platform intended for educational and entertainment purposes. "A Great Day at the Races" stands out as one of the unique titles tailored towards adults, emphasizing the strategic and gambling aspects of horse racing. It recognized the niche in the market for a more mature audience interested in both the sport and the associated betting system. Despite the Philips CD-i not achieving widespread success in the competitive console market, games like "A Great Day at the Races" highlighted its capability to deliver diverse and unique content, leveraging the CD-i's video playback capabilities which were quite unique at the time.