Racing / Car / Vehicle Game Thread

[BIL]

One racing game that I found completely by accident and like very much is Victory Run. I wrote a little about it over at Rolling Start.

Sounds really interesting, had never heard of that one (my PCE knowledge is a bit lacking).

Here's a Paris-Dakar game I don't recommend, P/D Rally Special on the Famicom. Makes for a fairly amusing longplay, however!

[Pinehed]

I really like isometric racing games.

Super RC Pro-Am on the GameBoy, anyone have something a bit more modern to recommend like that?

Check Racing Gears Advance (GBA). It didn't quite dethrone Super Off Road as my favourite isometric / bird's eye view racer, but came close.

Recently I also played a bit of Top Gear 2 for SNES which I'd also recommend to anyone who liked the Lotus series. IMO, it's actually quite a bit better than the games that inspired it.

Interesting. Apparently it was also released for Amiga in 1994, but I've never heard of it. All 3 SNES Top Gear games look promising.

So, I'd like to read of more oddities.

Let's see...

1) air racing

Moby Games lists 13 air racing games. Of those I only played Amiga version of Gee Bee Air Rally. It was a decent and quite original (for 1987) sprite scaling racer, nothing special though. I'm interested in opinions on three PS1 games: Bravo Air Race, Air Race Championship and N.GEN Racing. Anyone played those?

2) chariot racing

At least 2 games, and I haven't played any of them:

Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars (PS2, Xbox)
Ben Hur: Blood of Braves (PS2)

There's also Heracles Chariot Racing for Wii and PSP, but the title is misleading, as the game doesn't seem to involve real chariots.

Oh, and of course the chariot racing minigame in Centurion Defender of Rome, possibly a pinnacle of the subgenre

[cicada88]

Getting a region modded Playstation 1 + NeGcon, will report how it goes later in this thread

[Obiwanshinobi]

2) chariot racing

At least 2 games, and I haven't played any of them:

Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars (PS2, Xbox)
Ben Hur: Blood of Braves (PS2)

There's also Heracles Chariot Racing for Wii and PSP, but the title is misleading, as the game doesn't seem to involve real chariots.

Oh, and of course the chariot racing minigame in Centurion Defender of Rome, possibly a pinnacle of the subgenre

Doesn't Shadow of Rome feature interactive chariot racing?

[Ghegs]

So, I'd like to read of more oddities.

Let's see...

You can use the RGDB to find some of the more eccentric racers. Use keywords like "flying", "water" or "other".

[Pinehed]

2) chariot racing

At least 2 games, and I haven't played any of them:

Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars (PS2, Xbox)
Ben Hur: Blood of Braves (PS2)

There's also Heracles Chariot Racing for Wii and PSP, but the title is misleading, as the game doesn't seem to involve real chariots.

Oh, and of course the chariot racing minigame in Centurion Defender of Rome, possibly a pinnacle of the subgenre

Doesn't Shadow of Rome feature interactive chariot racing?

Yeah, there's this, and also for a very different, non-arcade approach to chariot racing there's an interesting indie title: Qvadriga. Demo available here. Haven't tried it yet, but youtube clips look promising.

You can use the RGDB to find some of the more eccentric racers. Use keywords like "flying", "water" or "other".

Didn't know about the database, thanks for the link. I might register at the forum too.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Playing the hidden F-Zero AX full game mode within F-Zero GX -- initial impressions:

*Runs at a silky-smooth arcade-spec 60fps framerate.

*Thirty enteries per racing session.

*Choose from six different tracks at your disposal.

*Select from 15 different AX hovercrafts/characters (there's a pre-installed code that "unlocks all characters" {from within the AR Max interface itself} under the FZ GX game codes activation selection screen if using an AR Max version 1.14 setup). So there's no need to bust your chops trying to earn all 15 the hard way.

------------------------------

Just tried out the arcade game of F-Zero AX on a USA region Gamecube using an NTSC U/C version of F-Zero GX (via GCN Action Replay Max codes to gain access to the hidden AX mode from the get-go). Wow, it boots straight to an info screen of the actual FZ AX game cab upon pressing the Start button (with the voice-over phrase saying "For Your Information"). Upon initial loading of two choices to choose from: either Time Attack or Race Mode (with 30 entries per race) and get this, it's the original Japanese F-Zero AX game that you're playing! How cool is that?

The only thing missing is the real FZ AX opening intro screen, insert coin & attract screens -- otherwise, it'd be 100% complete. It's best to boot up to a normal GX session and change the screen size to your liking (either 4:3 or 16:9) before rebooting up the full AX game mode (via AR Max setup) to take better advantage of screen size real estate to the max. Am not sure if the AX mode supports 480p progressive scan mode though -- will check to see if it does.

F-Zero AX cabinet Factoid: on a real FZ AX cab, the ultimate decision was to use an 4:3 type high-res arcade monitor for maximum overall visual impact. But with the GCN port of GX, Nintendo went the extra mile in being able to play it in 16:9 mode if so desired.

--------------------------------
Controls are as follows (neither Nintendo or Sega provided a handy in-game controls scheme screen so it's up to the player to figure out the controls for himself/herself):

Pressing up or down on D-pad changes the camera viewpoint.

Pressing the A button is the gas/forward momentum button.

The B button is for braking.

Press the X button for Booster functionality.

The side trigger buttons of L & R are the air brake buttons (when leaning into the gradual and sharper turns of various courses).

The yellow C stick does absolutely nothing in AX mode.

I'm sure with the optional Logitech Gamecube Speed Wheel setup, playing a serious session of FZ AX would be even better.
---------------------------------

Note: However, if you choose to enter the Settings screen after a racing session is over, you'll encounter an all-black screen issue that you won't be able exit out of properly no matter what buttons are pressed on the GCN game controller itself (and will have to do a cold reboot by powering down the GCN console & re-powering it back on and reloading the GCN AR Max disc + select "access FZ AX mode" again + "all characters unlocked" cheat options from within the AR game cheat selection screen + reinsert the FZ-GX game disc to get back to the desired FZ AX game mode). The AR Max dongle memory card is best left in Slot B whereas your main GCN memory card + FZ GX memory save would be used in Slot A.

Saving to an GCN memory when used with an AR Max setup isn't possible after each AX racing session (even if you swap out one out & replace it with a different one).

Quite impressive to get two F-Zero games on just one GCN DVD-Rom disc indeed. Gotta thank both Nintendo & Sega for doing so as they didn't have to include AX mode and thus have it remain as a true bona-fide arcade racing experience just like with Namco's Wangun Midnight: Maximum Tune arcade racing series since it's initial beginning back in 2004 (with no proper home gaming console release whatsoever).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[D]

Battle Gear 4 Tuned can be run on an old underpowered pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsfB-E0_jIg
Don't come back here before you get it running or ask me if you can't.

[louisg]

Dunno if you guys are interested, but I reviewed Super Cycle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCD-Opz ... e=youtu.be

And I also reviewed this super cool racing game, World Rally Fever (as compared/contrasted to Power Drift): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FIqsYGdmlQ

Sorry for the plug Hope someone likes 'em though!

[soprano1]

How's the PS2 on this genre? I liked Ridge Racer 2 on PSP, how's V?

[KAI]

PS2 it's an excellent console for racers. Initial D Special Stage, Battle Gear 3 and Ridge Racer V are great.
RRV's controls are a bit stiff, but the game is flawless.

[soprano1]

PS2 it's an excellent console for racers. Initial D Special Stage, Battle Gear 3 and Ridge Racer V are great.
RRV's controls are a bit stiff, but the game is flawless.

Oh, Street Stage on PSP was pretty cool. I'll check some videos of those, thanks.

[iconoclast]

Former Wipeout devs are making a new futuristic racer for the PC/PS4/XB1 called Formula Fusion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... PnkFTXsG6c

Looks like Wipeout. I wish they would have ditched the weapons, but whatever. Should still be fun as long it's more like HD/Fury than 2048 (an unstable 30 fps + awful combat missions = meh).

[cicada88]

What do you guys think of...


x2


x4


x1


x2

With the following games:

Ridge Racer Revolution
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
Wipeout
Wipeout 2097
Wipeout 3 Special Edition

[Koa Zo]

neGcon x4 ?? ...are there really dual screen 4-player racers on PlayStation?

Someone asked about isometric racers,
Biker Mice from Mars on SNES is worth taking a look at. And Battle Cross is good fun on SFC.

Karnaaj Rally published by Jaleco (Micro Machines in Europe I think) on the GBA looks interesting but I've yet to play it yet.

[cicada88]

neGcon x4 ?? ...are there really dual screen 4-player racers on PlayStation?

According to the list I found Andretti Racing, R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, and Wipeout 3 Special Edition are 2 to 4 players with the Playstation Link Cable.

There could be a couple more Japanese only games too as it's definitely a Western release list.

I've never tried it myself and looking at the back of R4 for example, says it is 1-2 players. But if anything they probably didn't want to confuse little Jimmy when he buys the game expecting 4 players out of the box.


EDIT: just checked the US version of Wipeout3 SE and the back says system link (2-4 Players)

[BIL]

What do you guys think of...

A nice haul of hardware and software either way.

[D]

Ridge Racer Revolution
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

I would love to try it.
I have in recent times been experimenting with running Battle Gear 2 with the i.link cable. It worked great, the interface was really intuitive.
There were however some occasions where the connection would reset. I kind of narrowed it down to the second player not pressing start/confirm/O-button fast aenough after the first player started.
This means that one console is alreay loading the level while the second player still needs to press OK. This might cause some synchronisation issues. So try to click ok within one second after the other player click OK.

I also played OutrunCoast2Coast via local lan which worked pretty great. Only an occasional error. Most of the times it works flawlessly.

Way back then, a friend of mine told me that when you do use the link cable on RRR, that the original RR tracks become available. Is that true?

[cicada88]

What do you guys think of...

A nice haul of hardware and software either way.

I don't have it all yet, but it's slowly becoming my goal.

[cicada88]

Ridge Racer Revolution
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

I would love to try it.
I have in recent times been experimenting with running Battle Gear 2 with the i.link cable. It worked great, the interface was really intuitive.
There were however some occasions where the connection would reset. I kind of narrowed it down to the second player not pressing start/confirm/O-button fast aenough after the first player started.
This means that one console is alreay loading the level while the second player still needs to press OK. This might cause some synchronisation issues. So try to click ok within one second after the other player click OK.

I also played OutrunCoast2Coast via local lan which worked pretty great. Only an occasional error. Most of the times it works flawlessly.

Way back then, a friend of mine told me that when you do use the link cable on RRR, that the original RR tracks become available. Is that true?

Yeah link play & local LAN play is pretty much the shit for both computer and console gaming. It's slowly dying with these always on games (like Starcraft 2 compared to Starcraft 1).

It's just now when good CRTs can be had dirt cheap, and all the old hardware is reasonable that it becomes feasible to set it all up.

Not sure about RRR but a quick Google search alludes to what your friend was saying.

[Obiwanshinobi]

From what I read, LAN's not dead for as long as Monster Hunter lives on. At least within Japanese public transport's reach.

[cicada88]

Let's talk some Spy Hunter & Chase H.Q.

Obv Super Spy Hunter is boss (Battle Formula for Famicom), but wheres the best home conversion after that.

Looks like for the original Chase H.Q. and S.C.I, the Japanese Saturn port is recommended.

Ray Tracers for PSX has also gotten some love in this thread. Any other worthwhile ports or spinoffs. How is Super Chase HQ on the Su-Pa-Fa·Mi·Con?

[louisg]

I was actually really bummed by the Saturn port of Chase HQ. It just controlled so badly, and I think some of the palette was off as well. I've played the arcade game somewhat recently and recall it controlling much better than the Saturn version.

Best home conversion of Spy Hunter? I'd go for one of the modern ones TBQH, but I remember the Coleco one being pretty good too.

BTW, if anyone is interested, I've posted a review of this C64 racing game I adore here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHo411DD9o

[cicada88]

BTW, if anyone is interested, I've posted a review of this C64 racing game I adore here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHo411DD9o

That game looks fun, nice vid

[Zeether]

I was looking up stuff on Ray Tracers and it seems cool, you can unlock more cars by clearing the game several times but the final boss seems tough...also, there's a PS1 CD called "RayRay" with art from it and RayStorm

Edit: So do only the Japanese and European versions of the game have the voiceovers during the races? Kind of lame the US got gimped on it...

[HydrogLox]

Owners of iOS devices may want to check out AG Drive - MFi game controller support was added in August.

Spoiler

[rugdoctor]

I recently had the displeasure of playing visco's Drift Out. I dislike the whole course rotating while turning. Thrash Rally played better than this.

[Stevens]

Racing is my distant 2nd favorite genre. I have a few racing games, but don't play them a ton..the mood has to strike me:

DC - Daytona (controls like shit but still fun in short bursts), LE Mans (really good), Hydro Thunder (surprisingly good), Tokyo Extreme (needs to be resurfaced). Rush Rush Rally Racing is great fun with 4 players.

On the Sony side I have Wipeout 3 which is godlike, a Colin Mcrae game, and a great version of Outrun 2 on the Sega Ages disc.

Also have Outrun on the 360.

Full disclosure - I am bad at them.

[BIL]

Apparently the box says "Road Fighter" !

Spoiler

FUCK YEAHHH THIS OWNZ it's like a 2D topdown FC version of F-Zero X's Death Race! Drive defensively and YOU GONNA DIE. Instead, BUMP N KILL your way 2 THA TOP.

Neat little early Konami FC release! The title is no misnomer despite the total lack of weaponry. It's all about rear-ending other racers into fiery graves, while most attempt to do you the same. There's a great double edge to the bump mechanic: every collision puts you into a skid, demanding a quick countersteer to avert laptime-destroying spinout and death. The input window is just right - calculatedly waggling L/R to regain traction between bumps really does bring F-Zero X's ricochet-fraught ramming to mind. Collision is pixel-perfect, making clean overtakes for vital milliseconds infernally addictive.

Could've used more tracks but it's so relentlessly fraught, the four it has (with loop) go a long way for time trials. Apparently I've had the AC version for years on PS1, but eh. Twas cheap, minty and I'm an incorrigible FC and Konami geek. I do love a good arcade-imperfect port, too. Give it a look if you bear similar afflictions!

[Obiwanshinobi]

There's a great double edge to the bump mechanic: every collision puts you into a skid, demanding a quick countersteer to avert laptime-destroying spinout and death.

Full Auto 2: Battlelines does something along those lines in 3D. The physics are pretty out there. Easy to write off as a "poor man's Twisted Metal" at first glance, but when you ignore the "unwreck" button it can be quite crazy fun. Better off disable 1080 resolution(s) on the PS3, as even in 720p it's not the smoothest-running vehicular game around. I can't comment on the PSP version.