Racing Topic! (was: Best racing games for PSP?)

[To Far Away Times]

Which game do you guys prefer more between Outrun and Super Hang On?

Very similar games. Outrun has great cozy vibes and presentation, and Super Hang On might be the most intense 2D racing experience out there with it's turbo system.

[sunnshiner]

I picked up New Star as well and I'm having a lot of fun with it. My only real complaint is that with the racing lines on, it's too easy (at least for the initial seasons in each decade, granted you can do more but the progression doesn't really push you to), and with them off you'd need to achieve sim-like knowledge of each course in order to succeed. Wish there was an option similar to Gran Turismo where it tells you the suggested gear/speed for the upcoming corner without telling you explicitly where to brake.

The boosts are fine, but I don't think they really improve the game—would rather they'd have omitted it and just kept slipstreaming as a universal mechanic (slightly buffed vs. its current state) instead of implementing it as a perk.

Speaking of perks, I found the vast majority of them to be pretty 'meh' and often found myself choosing between two I didn't really care about just to keep my crew happy, which is kind of silly.

All that said, the game is just really fun to handle and the driving feels really good, which are the things that count. The damage model is a nice touch too.

See, this is why I'm ambivalent about this game. I haven't played it, full disclosure, but the whole dealing with a pit crew and tyre management and other non-arcade artificial depth/content elements puts me right off, I already have a job in real life, it's the same reason I'm not into RPGs or arcade adventures with 'take this thing here' and 'take this thing there' play-time-extending questy bits. The videos I've seen of New Star's gameplay look just like any other F1 style sim, with all the associated speed/handling difficulty/frustration that goes with them.

I know I keep banging on about Virtua Racing but, man, that game is perfect. No boosts, no nonsense to deal with, just put your 10p in and git gud.

[Lander]

Which game do you guys prefer more between Outrun and Super Hang On?

Very similar games. Outrun has great cozy vibes and presentation, and Super Hang On might be the most intense 2D racing experience out there with it's turbo system.

I'd say Super Hang On. Coming back to original OutRun in the wake of 2 feels quite spartan on the feature front, even if it does retain the simple old-school appeal.

The boost from Hang On adds a nice bit of flavor, and is a really good example of operant conditioning in the positive; hearing the engine pitch up and up and up as you steadily multiply your odds of bailing is superb fun.

Perhaps its effect on the difficulty factors in for me as well - both are respectably hard, but OutRun feels much more uncompromising due to being all fundamentals; there's no extra axis like drift or boost to make the player feel like they have a secret weapon or alternate approach.

[guigui]

See, this is why I'm ambivalent about this game. I haven't played it, full disclosure, but the whole dealing with a pit crew and tyre management and other non-arcade artificial depth/content elements puts me right off, I already have a job in real life, it's the same reason I'm not into RPGs or arcade adventures with 'take this thing here' and 'take this thing there' play-time-extending questy bits. The videos I've seen of New Star's gameplay look just like any other F1 style sim, with all the associated speed/handling difficulty/frustration that goes with them.

I know I keep banging on about Virtua Racing but, man, that game is perfect. No boosts, no nonsense to deal with, just put your 10p in and git gud.

Totally agree with you on the fact that New Star GP is NOT pure arcade game. At what it tries, it succeeds in my sense.

[it290]

Yeah, I also agree that Virtua Racing is top tier perfection. I grinded the hell out of the Switch version when that launched and ended up getting up to top 50 or so on the Medium course leaderboards within the first few months. I'm sure my ranking has long since been pushed way down, but it was a lot of fun just grinding that course over and over with those super short but sweet runs. New Star is nothing like that, but it is still fun for what it is. The 'management' aspects really take very little time and generally boil down to reading a screen or two between each race and making a binary decision — these add up to maybe 15 seconds total between races and honestly add a little flavor and unpredictability into the game that may force you to adjust your strategy and/or driving. It's very much 'sim lite' and not in any way realistic.

That said, I also checked out another game called Super Polygon GP that is aspiring to be much more of a spiritual sequel to Virtua Racing. It's in early access and still pretty rough around the edges, but I think it shows potential. I think its biggest failing right now is that the racing field is pretty crowded with 30 cars and they don't really stay out of the way in the same manner they do in VR. VR has no AI to speak of, the AI cars are pretty much on a rail, but the game is designed such that collisions don't really happen unless you are particularly careless—most of the classic Sega arcade racers work this way.

I find it unlikely an indie game will receive that same level of doubtless manual polish, but still hold out hopes for this one.

[ryu]

I've been playing F-Zero GX and can already see the shit it's going to get once people start playing it on Nintendo Online with high hopes for it. As fun as the game is, it's also really frustrating how easy enemy racers can screw you up. I can't count how often I had my velocity drained to zero in an instant because of someone bumping into me. Wtf is this jank

[it290]

Not optimistic that GX will be playable with the amount of input lag the Switch 2 is likely to have.

[ryu]

Not optimistic that GX will be playable with the amount of input lag the Switch 2 is likely to have.

That's a valid concern. Hopefully the Switch 2 will be better in that regard.

But seriously what is this jank? I just had a good run. Side-tackled a rival to their death on the third course and magically had my Falcon flip over and fly off into the sky at the same time. What even...

[guigui]

I sure do remember GX being very picky when it came to collision. Good turns handling is better than roaming into your opponents at any time.

[Steven]

That said, I also checked out another game called Super Polygon GP that is aspiring to be much more of a spiritual sequel to Virtua Racing. It's in early access and still pretty rough around the edges, but I think it shows potential. I think its biggest failing right now is that the racing field is pretty crowded with 30 cars and they don't really stay out of the way in the same manner they do in VR. VR has no AI to speak of, the AI cars are pretty much on a rail, but the game is designed such that collisions don't really happen unless you are particularly careless—most of the classic Sega arcade racers work this way.

I find it unlikely an indie game will receive that same level of doubtless manual polish, but still hold out hopes for this one.

I've had this on my Steam wishlist for a little bit because I love Virtua Racing and it seems there aren't many or maybe even any true modern substitutes or equivalents for classic Sega racing that are of the same level of quality. Looking forward to seeing how this ultimately turns out once it's out of early access and all of that.

[Marc]

Wait, we've already decided Switch 2 is going to have horrendous lag?

Fuck, I must have been playing Switch 1 with my eyes shut.
Bar the horrible Psikyo ports, I've noticed nothing particularly horrible.

[ryu]

I sure do remember GX being very picky when it came to collision. Good turns handling is better than roaming into your opponents at any time.

Definitely. I stopped playing as aggressively and get much better results now.

Fuck, I must have been playing Switch 1 with my eyes shut.
Bar the horrible Psikyo ports, I've noticed nothing particularly horrible.

Most games are fine but playing the Mega Man X collection on Switch scarred me for life lol

[copy-paster]

For the past month I've been addicted to Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune series after I listened to the OST of MT1 and 2, and been falling to the deep rabbit home ever since.

Started playing my first game that is 3DX+ thanks to KAI for helping me setup the game on TeknoParrot, and I immediately loving it and managed to beat the story mode which contains 100 races covering the whole manga arcs. Cornering takes a time to get used to since the physics are kinda simcade-ish, and this series made me appreciate the appeal of Highway racing, coming from a guy who used to prefer mountain pass/circuit ones. I'd never thought of EDM/Trance music would work so well in a highway racing thanks to Yuzo Koshiro who did all the OST in the series and I'm still listening the whole album these days.

Next goal for the game is to beat 3DX+ again in 2 loops, since each loop clear would reward you full OST album from previous games and you can use it on the in-game races. Loop 1 you will get MT1+2 OST and Loop 2 is Wangan Midnight R on PS2 (the very first game used epic orchestral style for some reason, feels weird at first).

Currently I'm playing WMMT6 (vanilla version) and I'm not gonna spoil what I'm doing right now and I'll post later once I get the goal I wanted. But I can say that 6 and it's updates marks for the best one mainly for it's sheer amount of content. More tracks, more cars, actual Porsches for the true Blackbird car like in the manga, and more forgiving features like no need to complete the story mode for full tune car requirement.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

WMMT5 is the one I've put the most time into as it has a really long track for time attack that was removed from later entries I really enjoy. Great series, amazing music. I also enjoy that it's self aware enough to recognize how futile and defeating racing as a street racing as a hobby is, it doesn't glorify it and it acknowledges how stupid being addicted to it can be.

It's also the series that made me aware BRZs were a thing; ended up being my first car after an order with Toyota went nowhere despite waiting 2 years for an 86 from them to arrive. Subaru's always been a reputable company, and they had stock, so went with them and never looked back (holy shit is it fun drifting it in the wintertime on snowy country roads).

[copy-paster]

Holy shit that's really long, equals of doing Nürburgring 2 laps.

Such a nice track, I like how it's a fusion of C1/Shibuya-Ikebukuro line together. Not sure why it got removed in 6 though.

[BIL]

Amazing how a good racing OST sparks the competitive fury. I shouldn't be surprised, SOUNDSHOCK is an arcade essential, but man. When the select BGM is this good you're gonna get it up and get it on.

Speaking of, must review Ridge Racers 2 (PS5 port). Had to quit procrastinating for a sec and fire it up, after revisiting MEGATEN AYA & SANODIGY in anticipation of ACA2 RR. Spent a week clearing its Tours - loved it, but found the curve a bit off. The mid-class ("balanced for one in 200 players") is far tougher and more technical than the finale, Special2.... which claims to be for one in 200,000. C'mon Ridge Project I adore you but wtf. Nah it feels the other way around, if anything. Some real battles to be had before the game goes full Wipeout, and Special2's raw power papers over your mistakes. Every error in Class 3 is deadly to your chances. As long as you're not a complete and utter assclown in Special2, and keep the car somewhat on-line, you can rocket your biblically potent DEVILKID or RAGGIO ahead of the surging four-man grid. Still wicked intense, but I was knocking over multiple tours a night, rather than one apiece.

E P I S O D E . F I N A L :
SHOBU DA! HONKI DE IKUZE, DEVIL KID!!! (■｀w´■) (｀w´メ) (*'ω' *)

*GP SPOILER* AT THE LAST MOMENT / THE ULTIMATE FIGHT ~ AKAKAZE to AKUMA-KO no REQUIEM (;｀ω´;) (◎w◎;) (´・ω・`)

Spot Pac haulin' ass at supersonic velocity :3 Redone grand finale with Raggio, because I felt like I'd robbed Ridge City Council blind with a Devil Kid 1HKO. One in 200k my ass! More like one DEVILDICK in your mouf, slowpokes! Despite being the only conventional automobile of the class, Raggio's just as nuts; main difference is seven shift VS two, and near-nil grip. In fact, Raggio's true nature is perhaps the most uncanny of all... a BEAST MECHANISM so obscenely yolked, it spontaneously manifested into our reality, and could only be satisfied racing fuckin aircraft!

NANTE POWWA DESU (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)

Not a knock on Wipeout, which is technical finesse par excellence; referring only to the distinct sense of flying as much as driving! Common to RR endgames since at least R4, featuring a literal hovercraft whose name escapes me... was it the Dragone? Hm. Cannot forget its adorable R2D2 engine sounds. Not even to knock Special2! True CRISIS ~ RUN WITH ANGER aesthetic in the howling fury of these voraciously powerful, nigh-uncontrollable KEMONOTACHI! The field, an Itano Circus of roaring, mirror-sheened metal!

Loved the return of monstrously supercharged pickup LIZARD HIJACK (now DIGDUG HIJACK) from Rage. Bloodening bestial engine roar! Nitrous looks like a goddamn fusion reactor, haha. God damn would this thing rock for light debris removal! RRS/R6/R7 got some crazy Special machine designs.

Reminds me of something else; the classic ANGEL/DEVIL duels are now proper contests... none of that silly-if-fun Block Or Die. I see the pros and cons of Nitrous, which I know some dislike for lessening the focus on pure icy discipline; letting you parlay a bump into a rocketing recovery. But I love its facilitating direct-if-deadly challenges to these apex predators. A nice sharp pickle, keeping Boosts chambered for ambushers, without sacrificing too many vital rocketing straights. Special2 is effectively a Battle Royale; four rivals rather than two, with no Loser Cars. Any can rip your lead in half in a heartbeat with a particularly evil Boost, giving Revolution's TARGET LOCKED/GET READY 2 BLOCK a less absolute but equally critical role.

As befits anthologies, strongest feature is the track selection. You really feel the Ridge Project's 90s journey, in intimate detail. The sleek and immortally inviting RR1; the technical escalation of Revo and athletic peak of Rave, its punishing hairpins and climbs inherited by Rage; coasting into the sublimely mild, ultra-smooth R4, refining all that came before in an game as inviting as its BGM. It's honestly a relief to see R4 courses in the harder Tours, but there's absolutely no sense of drag; these tracks were pure pleasure then and now, and the earlier quartet bring more than enough technical rigour for a little feelgood.

mfw Class III Ravin

Spoiler

Weak spot: the BGM coverage of the arcade games and close contemporary Rage Racer is meh. Not entirely de-fanged, but not a patch on the real things. Tons of classic songs missing, remixes are generally weak. R4 is lovely as always and well-represented, a warm jazzy sunbeam; but when it comes to the arcade courses, I wanna rock the fuck out with no remorse Jack! I'm gonna scream like Al Pacino at the end of Godfather Part III if the ACA2 RRs need their OSTs fucked with for copyright. Virtuosic BGM. White-hot nexus of passion and technique. Motivation to track down the vinyls if that happens I guess!

Great fun. TLDR a lovely revue of the series' first five games; just needed an RRV course to really complete the effect. But with such quality I didn't mind. Play on PS5, or PSP TV Out; the PS4 version has an irritating frame hitch. It's as metronomic as expected of any non-60hz game running at accurate speed in ShotTriggers/ACA, but where I absorb it quickly in 2D, I just can't here. tbh I'm not sure that's even what's going on... I wonder if the emulator/hardware's just not up to it. At any rate, thank goodness it's alright on the newer console. Roll on ACA2 with VRR baybee.

TLDR I always end up bustin out the TLDR too early.

[Lemnear]

Glad to see there's at least one other person who appreciates the Ridge Racer series! You reminded me that I have to complete it all for the third time, there's something hypnotic in its style and general feeling, it's a shame they don't make games like this anymore, I can't even find similar things :\
Too bad I completed all the World Tours and I have nothing left to do but try to beat the Records :v
I'm curious to see BIL at work with the DEUS tour.

Anyway RR1 is still confirmed only for Nintendo Switch 2 (for now), but my biggest fear is that the ENTIRE ACA2 line will be only for Switch 2, I hope that's not the case, otherwise Hamster can go fuck themselves.

[BIL]

Must thank you Lem, you gave me the heads-up this was out a couple years back! Ah man I had a good time with it. I'm slow to start new games but I go balls-out when I do. Busted out REVENGE ROAD for movie night after and everybody went nuts, even my most animuskeptic kin! HASHIRYA spirit is universal! Tramps like us, baby we were born to Running In 90s

Ikari o komete hashi~re / Kagayaku ma~de...



^ me in AD204X with muh integrated neurolink hidin from the cops n bustin MARIO 1CC

I know our dear Ganelon loves his RR, even the later ones despite being a NitroSkeptic. I think Ghegs is conversant too? Apologies Ghegs and everyone, it's been a long time since I revisited Rolling Start. Might be quite a few appreciators here. But yeah I adore them, always have. <3

The other I've put the most time on, and the first I owned, is actually distant cousin Ridge Racer 64. (2000) Was developed by DigiPen for Nintendo, and didn't even get a Japan release. Still got my copy, would've totally added an NTSCJ by now if one existed. It's been far too long since I played to comment with authority; but I loved it at the time, lacking a PS1, and decidedly recall jumping straight into R1, R4, and Rage with zero issue, right after. The manual was excellent at explaining the Drift mechanics, and the selection of physics models gave a great sense of detail. I remember it as a deeply professional work at least, as expected of Nintendo; perhaps even a passionate one.

The OST is more of an early 00s light house thing with AFAIK zero involvement from MEGA/AYA/SANO, or the R4 crew whose names always escape me offhand; but again, excellent. Would've been delighted to hear Cruise Control and Manual Override in Racers 2. IIRC the composer later worked for Namco as a voice director, seems a solid dude.

It's been 25 years on the dot since I cleared RR64's Ne Plus Ultra & DEUS equivalents, actually. Good timing. RR64 gets fast as goddamn balls, too, and there's no Nitrous to compensate for bumps. I recall the final machines having very twitchy handling, and needing it with the fierce gridlock action. Final course can - and IIRC must - be taken with the gas floored all the way, but it's not a Rage/R4 oval, demanding quick swerves to stay on line... I'm recalling quite the thrill there.

Too bad I completed all the World Tours and I have nothing left to do but try to beat the Records :v
I'm curious to see BIL at work with the DEUS tour.

Aww thanks! ^w^ I did record quite a bit of footage, will see if I can cobble together a decent reel. My technique wasn't too great at times unfortunately but I guess it worked.

It just occurred to me; one could totally scam the game with Rewind + Savestates. No trophies either; guess it's a good thing I recorded, to prove I am one of those *cough* 1-in-200,000 pros. ( ) (handy being able to rewind when the race starts before you select your BGM of choice)

Anyway RR1 is still confirmed only for Nintendo Switch 2 (for now), but my biggest fear is that the ENTIRE ACA2 line will be only for Switch 2, I hope that's not the case, otherwise Hamster can go fuck themselves.

Yeah I won't be happy either tbh. 3; I have faith in Ham-Hams though. And above all, as with M2, I want them to survive. My PS4 was already an ACA/ShotTriggers/Natsume adaptor feat. Bloodborne, tbh. After six wonderful years of supposedly-impossible home releases, I will happily follow them wherever they go. My main concern, really, is Nintendo's alleged input lag bullshit. Oof, I hate that it's even a concern. But I'm keeping a happy thought there, too, that they'll sort it out. Or at least mitigate it enough for Hamster+M2 to seal the deal.

Ultimately, my PS4 alone can keep me busy with AC ports until I fall off my chair, so not entirely bothered. Prospect of perfect RR1+RR2+Rave is tantalising. (I know RR2's more of an upgrade kit, as opposed to Revolution's full-fledged sequel, but I'd still snap it up)

[Lemnear]

Spoiler

Must thank you Lem, you gave me the heads-up this was out a couple years back! Ah man I had a good time with it. I'm slow to start new games but I go balls-out when I do. Busted out REVENGE ROAD for movie night after and everybody went nuts, even my most animuskeptic kin! HASHIRYA spirit is universal! Tramps like us, baby we were born to Running In 90s

Ikari o komete hashi~re / Kagayaku ma~de...



^ me in AD204X with muh integrated neurolink hidin from the cops n bustin MARIO 1CC

I know our dear Ganelon loves his RR, even the later ones despite being a NitroSkeptic. I think Ghegs is conversant too? Apologies Ghegs and everyone, it's been a long time since I revisited Rolling Start. Might be quite a few appreciators here. But yeah I adore them, always have. <3

The other I've put the most time on, and the first I owned, is actually distant cousin Ridge Racer 64. (2000) Was developed by DigiPen for Nintendo, and didn't even get a Japan release. Still got my copy, would've totally added an NTSCJ by now if one existed. It's been far too long since I played to comment with authority; but I loved it at the time, lacking a PS1, and decidedly recall jumping straight into R1, R4, and Rage with zero issue, right after. The manual was excellent at explaining the Drift mechanics, and the selection of physics models gave a great sense of detail. I remember it as a deeply professional work at least, as expected of Nintendo; perhaps even a passionate one.

The OST is more of an early 00s light house thing with AFAIK zero involvement from MEGA/AYA/SANO, or the R4 crew whose names always escape me offhand; but again, excellent. Would've been delighted to hear Cruise Control and Manual Override in Racers 2. IIRC the composer later worked for Namco as a voice director, seems a solid dude.

It's been 25 years on the dot since I cleared RR64's Ne Plus Ultra & DEUS equivalents, actually. Good timing. RR64 gets fast as goddamn balls, too, and there's no Nitrous to compensate for bumps. I recall the final machines having very twitchy handling, and needing it with the fierce gridlock action. Final course can - and IIRC must - be taken with the gas floored all the way, but it's not a Rage/R4 oval, demanding quick swerves to stay on line... I'm recalling quite the thrill there.

Too bad I completed all the World Tours and I have nothing left to do but try to beat the Records :v
I'm curious to see BIL at work with the DEUS tour.

Aww thanks! ^w^ I did record quite a bit of footage, will see if I can cobble together a decent reel. My technique wasn't too great at times unfortunately but I guess it worked.

It just occurred to me; one could totally scam the game with Rewind + Savestates. No trophies either; guess it's a good thing I recorded, to prove I am one of those *cough* 1-in-200,000 pros. ( ) (handy being able to rewind when the race starts before you select your BGM of choice)

Anyway RR1 is still confirmed only for Nintendo Switch 2 (for now), but my biggest fear is that the ENTIRE ACA2 line will be only for Switch 2, I hope that's not the case, otherwise Hamster can go fuck themselves.

Yeah I won't be happy either tbh. 3; I have faith in Ham-Hams though. And above all, as with M2, I want them to survive. My PS4 was already an ACA/ShotTriggers/Natsume adaptor feat. Bloodborne, tbh. After six wonderful years of supposedly-impossible home releases, I will happily follow them wherever they go. My main concern, really, is Nintendo's alleged input lag bullshit. Oof, I hate that it's even a concern. But I'm keeping a happy thought there, too, that they'll sort it out. Or at least mitigate it enough for Hamster+M2 to seal the deal.

Ultimately, my PS4 alone can keep me busy with AC ports until I fall off my chair, so not entirely bothered. Prospect of perfect RR1+RR2+Rave is tantalising. (I know RR2's more of an upgrade kit, as opposed to Revolution's full-fledged sequel, but I'd still snap it up)

Let's say that the series has a special place for me, because it was my first 3D racing game, there was Rage Racer in my Demo One (which I still have)
I loved ALL the RR I've played! No exceptions, except RR64 and Rave Racer, because I've never played them . I even like all the OSTs, the series has a unique vibe!
I hope that given the presence of an AstroBot "Reiko" in Astro Bot (and it specifically mentions RAGE RACER as title) a PS4/PS5 porting of that will come sooner or later. I wouldn't want them to have put all these easter eggs and then not even do a porting of something, come on! (I'd be fine with Incredible Crisis too eh).

Wait...ok with ACA and ShotTriggers/M2 but what about Natsume on PS4/PS5?
and then what happened to the rest of the NeoGeo2? There's only KOF98...

Oh for everyone:
Did you know that an unofficial porting of Wipeout for Dreamcast was recently released? It runs at a solid 60fps and can sometimes exceed 100fps !

[BIL]

Oh, that's good to hear Reiko's still about. She tends to herald good things for RR.

Yeah Natsume were basically the only reason I got into the previous gen, when their Tengo no Kiseki began in earnest.

[copy-paster]

RR2PSP was one of the games I tried back when the emulator PPSSPP were in a rough development circa 10 years ago, back then the requirements to run the emu are quite high and my device cannot run the game in stable 60fps without setting the resolution to original PSP's screen and turning off HUD ingame.

Still loved the game, one of my most favorite arcade racers. The physics are very good and easy to understand, I'm never fan of RRT4 and RRV's physics as they're kinda tank-ish and sometimes they refuse to do to cornering like what I wanted to, and the game contains all the tracks from T4 as well so IMO there's no reason to go back to the original, as the game is unofficially a R4 and previous games remake.

I did spend some time on the game's Tours campaign mode (after years of playing Arcade mode for casual play, with 100% save file from gamefaqs) and I stopped at certain point in Max Tour, AI becomes cheaty as fuck and playing "harshly" is like the only way to win these modes, I could probably beat the rest of the game with infinite nitrous cheat on.

[Lemnear]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ2jqn_rJB0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaA2TFR_PBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dxTddLyh-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWUDpPBgwug

They were all stolen a couple of weeks ago apparently...Switch (1) clearly doesn't hold up and the game runs at 30fps...or less. Too bad, the pseudo-futuristic city is spectacular. Damn Namco!

[Lemnear]

SCREAMER (2026)

[ryu]

What is it with these cringe angry speakers in english trailers for anime games I thought only Inti did that

[Lemnear]

What is it with these cringe angry speakers in english trailers for anime game I thought only Inti did that

I don't know ahahah , but it's Troy Baker

It's the reboot of Screamer from 1995 for PC, by Graffiti, now Milestones.
Polygon Pictures for the anime part (Blame!, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence)

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Spoiler

Must thank you Lem, you gave me the heads-up this was out a couple years back! Ah man I had a good time with it. I'm slow to start new games but I go balls-out when I do. Busted out REVENGE ROAD for movie night after and everybody went nuts, even my most animuskeptic kin! HASHIRYA spirit is universal! Tramps like us, baby we were born to Running In 90s

Ikari o komete hashi~re / Kagayaku ma~de...



^ me in AD204X with muh integrated neurolink hidin from the cops n bustin MARIO 1CC

I know our dear Ganelon loves his RR, even the later ones despite being a NitroSkeptic. I think Ghegs is conversant too? Apologies Ghegs and everyone, it's been a long time since I revisited Rolling Start. Might be quite a few appreciators here. But yeah I adore them, always have. <3

The other I've put the most time on, and the first I owned, is actually distant cousin Ridge Racer 64. (2000) Was developed by DigiPen for Nintendo, and didn't even get a Japan release. Still got my copy, would've totally added an NTSCJ by now if one existed. It's been far too long since I played to comment with authority; but I loved it at the time, lacking a PS1, and decidedly recall jumping straight into R1, R4, and Rage with zero issue, right after. The manual was excellent at explaining the Drift mechanics, and the selection of physics models gave a great sense of detail. I remember it as a deeply professional work at least, as expected of Nintendo; perhaps even a passionate one.

The OST is more of an early 00s light house thing with AFAIK zero involvement from MEGA/AYA/SANO, or the R4 crew whose names always escape me offhand; but again, excellent. Would've been delighted to hear Cruise Control and Manual Override in Racers 2. IIRC the composer later worked for Namco as a voice director, seems a solid dude.

It's been 25 years on the dot since I cleared RR64's Ne Plus Ultra & DEUS equivalents, actually. Good timing. RR64 gets fast as goddamn balls, too, and there's no Nitrous to compensate for bumps. I recall the final machines having very twitchy handling, and needing it with the fierce gridlock action. Final course can - and IIRC must - be taken with the gas floored all the way, but it's not a Rage/R4 oval, demanding quick swerves to stay on line... I'm recalling quite the thrill there.

Too bad I completed all the World Tours and I have nothing left to do but try to beat the Records :v
I'm curious to see BIL at work with the DEUS tour.

Aww thanks! ^w^ I did record quite a bit of footage, will see if I can cobble together a decent reel. My technique wasn't too great at times unfortunately but I guess it worked.

It just occurred to me; one could totally scam the game with Rewind + Savestates. No trophies either; guess it's a good thing I recorded, to prove I am one of those *cough* 1-in-200,000 pros. ( ) (handy being able to rewind when the race starts before you select your BGM of choice)

Anyway RR1 is still confirmed only for Nintendo Switch 2 (for now), but my biggest fear is that the ENTIRE ACA2 line will be only for Switch 2, I hope that's not the case, otherwise Hamster can go fuck themselves.

Yeah I won't be happy either tbh. 3; I have faith in Ham-Hams though. And above all, as with M2, I want them to survive. My PS4 was already an ACA/ShotTriggers/Natsume adaptor feat. Bloodborne, tbh. After six wonderful years of supposedly-impossible home releases, I will happily follow them wherever they go. My main concern, really, is Nintendo's alleged input lag bullshit. Oof, I hate that it's even a concern. But I'm keeping a happy thought there, too, that they'll sort it out. Or at least mitigate it enough for Hamster+M2 to seal the deal.

Ultimately, my PS4 alone can keep me busy with AC ports until I fall off my chair, so not entirely bothered. Prospect of perfect RR1+RR2+Rave is tantalising. (I know RR2's more of an upgrade kit, as opposed to Revolution's full-fledged sequel, but I'd still snap it up)

Let's say that the series has a special place for me, because it was my first 3D racing game, there was Rage Racer in my Demo One (which I still have)
I loved ALL the RR I've played! No exceptions, except RR64 and Rave Racer, because I've never played them . I even like all the OSTs, the series has a unique vibe!
I hope that given the presence of an AstroBot "Reiko" in Astro Bot (and it specifically mentions RAGE RACER as title) a PS4/PS5 porting of that will come sooner or later. I wouldn't want them to have put all these easter eggs and then not even do a porting of something, come on! (I'd be fine with Incredible Crisis too eh).

Wait...ok with ACA and ShotTriggers/M2 but what about Natsume on PS4/PS5?
and then what happened to the rest of the NeoGeo2? There's only KOF98...

Oh for everyone:
Did you know that an unofficial porting of Wipeout for Dreamcast was recently released? It runs at a solid 60fps and can sometimes exceed 100fps !

For Lemnear,

Which PSX port of Wipeout runs on the Dreamcast? There's the original 1995 version of Wipeout and the 1997 Wipeout 2097/Wipeout XL sequel followed by Wipeout 3. It's quite awesome to play a two-player "linked-up" session of Wipeout 2097/Wipeout XL with two PSX consoles, the official Sony PSX link-up cable & two old-school CRT TVs. I know playing Wipeout XL with a Namco NegCon is quite something, especially in 1st person viewpoint perspective mode!

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Lemnear]

Oh for everyone:
Did you know that an unofficial porting of Wipeout for Dreamcast was recently released? It runs at a solid 60fps and can sometimes exceed 100fps !

For Lemnear,

Which PSX port of Wipeout runs on the Dreamcast? There's the original 1995 version of Wipeout and the 1997 Wipeout 2097/Wipeout XL sequel followed by Wipeout 3. It's quite awesome to play a two-player "linked-up" session of Wipeout 2097/Wipeout XL with two PSX consoles, the official Sony PSX link-up cable & two old-school CRT TVs. I know playing Wipeout XL with a Namco NegCon is quite something, especially in 1st person viewpoint perspective mode!

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

It's just called "Wipeout" so I assume it's the first one. Ironically this porting is the best performing version of the game.

[Lemnear]

I just noticed that there is a free PS5 version of Slipstream if you own the PS4 version. For those who don't know, it's a tribute to OutRun. It has also been updated with new tracks and new cars.

[Marc]

I'd forgotten how much of a nasty, cheating bastard F-Zero Climax is on Expert. Two cups down last night, though I can see Master being a step too far for me this time - at least with the JB Crystal.

Great game, maybe not quite as much as the SNES version, but very close.

[guigui]

I'm playing some Asphalt 9 again. Help me quit, quick ? Or give opinions on the game if you have some.