Interstate '76 Pre-Release Pictures

Local Ditch > Interstate '76 > Pre-release Pictures

This is a collection of pre-release Interstate '76 stuff that might be interesting to look at. It was all found at various and sundry web sites, most of which are painfully obvious. To the left is the picture, click it to enlarge, and to the right is the description.

	When the original Interstate '76 was released, there was a contest in which Activision was giving away this car, mocked up with full weaponry. The weapons on the car are made from plastic and are just for decoration. Recent whereabouts of the car can be found at the Dodge Charger Registry. (Thanks for the link, Wayek.)
	In fact, you can see the Charger in the background of this 1996 E3 video. Granted, camera quality at the time was pretty rough, but it's still cool to see the car at the Activision booth!
	This pre-release screenshot was featured in the April 1997 issue of PC Gamer. Notice the paintjob on the Picard Piranha. In the release version, the car has two black stripes instead of just one. Also, the weapons on top of the car are not to be found in the game.
	This is, to my knowledge, the first known shot of Interstate '76. There is no car in the game with a paint job or a hood scoop like this one. In fact, it may not even be a screenshot, as it looks more like a mock-up or concept art. Taken from the E3 1996 Activison press kit, the official caption reads "Players cruise the highways with funk in their 8-tracks and weapons under their hoods in Interstate '76."
	This screenshot looks like it was taken from the inside of the car picture above. Notice that there is no long-sleeve shirt on groove's hand in this shot. The dash is not yet fully textured.
	Another shot that seems to be from the same build as the two above. Notice the gas station is the same shape as it is in the release version, but without any textures. Taken from the E3 1996 Activison press kit, the official caption reads "From behind the wheel of classic '70s-type muscle cars, players face off against a fierce gang of auto terrorists in Interstate '76."
	Take a look at the HUD on this display. The Mr. Damage read-out is different from the release version of Interstate '76. There were also magazine ads that featured screenshots with this HUD design.
	Groove's hand is different than in the release version of the game.
	The Piranha has only one strip on the hood of the car, as in other pre-release shots, the color of Groove's shirt is different in this picture, and the rear end of the car is different. Also, there is no HUD display and the dash is not the same as in the final game.
	This is a picture of the Interstate '76 Gold Masters. These were sent to magazine and website reviewers before the game was released. The casing is designed to make the game look like an actual 8-track cassette from the '70s.
	Here's one of the early designs of the multi-melee screen. Taken from the E3 1996 Activison press kit, the official caption reads "Players sign up for the Pentathlon and choose their car configurations with the Interstate '76 entry form."
	This is obviously the junkyard from the intro to the game. The problem arises from this screenshot never actually being in the intro. 'Zack's Auto Wrecking' is probably a reference to the game's lead designer, Zack Norman.
	Here's an image of Taurus's car in the junkyard from the screenshot above. Once again, this is never shown in the intro of the game. Also take notice of the guns protruding from the front of the car. These weapon designs never made it into the game.
	This image seems to be from a cut scene from the game, but there isn't one like this in the original game. This scene would later be used in the Interstate '76 Nitro Pack opening credits.
	Here's a clip from the classic Taurus Slurpee scene. However, look at how Taurus is dressed: He's wearing a long-sleeve shirt instead of his classy, buttoned vest. (Click the image for a comparison.) Taken from the E3 1996 Activison press kit, the official caption reads "Players team up with auto-vigilante Taurus on a number of thrilling missions in Interstate '76."
	I couldn't get a hold of a larger version of this image, but you can still see that damage gauges are of the old, pre-release style.
	This was the introduction to the multi-melee guide at Activision's Interstate '76 Site. For whatever reason, this section of the site was removed. Of course, the entire I '76 site is down now, but I've always wondered why this portion went first.
	Here's a picture of the I '76 team circa 1995.
	Here's a picture from Activision's original I '76 site showing the pre-release in-car view. No bigger image available.
	And here's another picture from Activision's original I '76 site, this time showing the pre-release HUD without the dash. No bigger image available.

Nitro Pack

Earlier in Nitro Pack's development, it was known as Interstate '77. The story was to revolve around Taurus smuggling gasoline between Mexico and the U.S. while a former Vietnam vet known as "The General" incited a border war between the two nations.

	That's not Jade — it's Jenny. Back when Nitro Pack was known as Interstate '77, this was to be Taurus's partner in crime. Presumably, Jenny was swapped for Jade in the final release. In fact, if you watch the intro credits to Nitro pack (or click the image to the left), you'll see a nearly identical frame, except with Jade and the Piranha. Even the body model is identical.
	The General: The man in charge of patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border.
	Here's a potential cover for Nitro Pack when it was still known as I '77.
	Watch an interview about "Interstate '77" with Scott Krager and Zach Norman at E3 1997. Originally from the defunct Infinite MHz show, this clip also contains gameplay footage.

Interstate '82

Yep, there was even a point in time when Interstate '82 had some additional and different features in the game. Check these out:

	Originally, Interstate '82 had a HUD for the inside view, similar to I '76. The developers cited several reasons such as performance and water appearing over the HUD, amongst others as to why the HUD was eventually removed.
	Here's another shot of I '82's functioning HUD, this time with the mirror on.
	This screenshot contains parts of the HUD, but not in the same style as the release of I '82. My guess is that it was the alternate in-car HUD, similar to I '76's alternate F1 view.
	What should have been the deadliest weapon in the game - the handgun - is shown here from the in-car view.

If you run across any pre-release pictures, just contact me and I'll post them here.

Updates:
E3 1996 - 8/11/26
Charger vid - 7/19/26
Nitro - 7/6/26
Old HUD - 11/23/2024
12/10/2009