Horse Racing games for the Sega Saturn or Dreamcast?

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:29 pm

OK... this is a super long-shot... I watched the RetroCore volume 4 video with the interview with the used game shop owner (damn - the used game shop in Japan looked awesome!). He said a very popular genere for Japanese gamers was, of all things, horse racing. It was his favoriate type of game too. I'm amazed, frankly, but do want to see what the fuss is about with this odd-ball genere. Can anyone recommend a good (and easy to undrestand for non-Japanese readers) horse racing game for the Saturn or Dreamcast?

I know this is a long shot, but I'm appreciative of any advice here - well, short of "don't bother"

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:32 pm

The only horse racing game I ever played was the one for intellivision. Yeah, talk about strange. Speaking of which, what about those train games you need that fancy train controller for?

jp · Post by jp » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:57 pm

The Derby Stallion games were pretty good. Though most horse racing games are JP only.

There is one that got brought over by Koei on the Saturn called.... Winning Post I think. Its fairly rare though, but its my understanding its fairly solid for its genre. I've honestly never played it (though I do own it) because I've just never been in the mood to raise horses. Maybe I'll give it a go this evening... if f'ing NCSX doesn't have my Trizeal to me by then that is.

Post by **Shatterhand** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:05 pm

There was horse-racing game on MSX

It was called "Champions"... it was about one single, long race. You had to waggle the stick left-right, while control the horse up-down, and press the button to jump obstacles.

It was more tiresome than Decathlon on the Atari 2600... the race took something like an hour... try keep waggling a josytick for an hour....

The game was from Pony Canyon, most famous for publshing Zanac

Though I don't think that's the kind of game you are talking about. It just came to my mind when I read the title of the topic

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:08 pm

Shatterhand wrote:It was called "Champions"... it was about one single, long race. You had to waggle the stick left-right, while control the horse up-down, and press the button to jump obstacles.

It was more tiresome than Decathlon on the Atari 2600... the race took something like an hour... try keep waggling a josytick for an hour....

Can you say XII Stag, boys and girls?

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:19 pm

Gallop Racer by Teccmo is an awesome horse racing game, the Gran Turismo of horse racers. The Neo Geo CD had Stakes Winner which is an excellent arcade take on horse racing.

For the ultimate horse racing game though, look no further than Sport of Kings for the C64. Simply put, the best simulation of the races you can find, truly great AI for the jockeys.

Also, A Great Day at the Races is one of the better cd-i games out there. I love horse racing games!!!!

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:31 pm

Why only Saturn or Dreamcast?

jp · Post by jp » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:57 pm

Neon wrote:Why only Saturn or Dreamcast?

Why not?

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:07 pm

Brian wrote:Gallop Racer by Teccmo is an awesome horse racing game, the Gran Turismo of horse racers.

Yep. My buddy swears by this series. A bit odd since the only other games he really plays are the EA sports games.

Seriously though llapnip if you can get away from your Sega console criteria pick up a copy. It looked way to freaking involved and convoluted for me but if the ponies are your thing, I think it would be the way to go. It's PS2 only I believe.

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:51 pm

Neon wrote:Why only Saturn or Dreamcast?

Actually, PSX is fine too (either US or Import - as you know I'm a big supporter of the PSX as well as the Saturn and Dreamcast). I guess I just prefer my Saturn and Dreamcast a bit more - and figured there were probably a slew of cheap horse racing/sim games for those since they were so well supported in Japan and I really had no idea any of these were released stateside for the PSX. I figured I'd be going Japanese only and was worried about any potential language barrier. Sounds like US Gallop Racer may do the trick and avoid any language issues.

I've also found recommendations for Winning Stakes (EX?) for the Saturn via usenet archive searches... but have no idea if the Japanese menus and such will be an issue (I'm pretty good at figuring it out but too much text means too much work and I'm not sure if I'll even like the game to begin with!).

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:55 am

I recall seeing a horse racing/breeding sim called (duh) King of Stallions for PSX, on the Japan Now! section of Unofficial Playstation Mag back in 1997. I think I still have it...

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:52 am

Horse Racing games are pure evil. I mean the poor steed is killing itself for our guilty pleasure, and greed, and the almighty dollar.
PLay car racing games instead, where its all about mechanical engine power and driving skill.

Living breathing horses struggling to breathe while being whipped and kicked can never compete with tires screaming for traction and slipping around curves, not to exclude those white knuckle downshifts...
A jocky can fall off...ahwwww! A racecar driver can crash and burn!
Be a man, drive a car, not a horse!!

BTW: This post is sponsored by the NHRA.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:31 pm

Yea, a jockey can fall off. Like what happened to Sam McRae a few weeks ago. He fell off and was dragged for 900 yards and then died of chest and head injuries.

Any type of racing can be dangerous, but to ride a horse in circles for a living is pure adrenaline.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:27 pm

Why not? Rolling Eyes

It limits your selection of games.

MovingTarget · Post by **MovingTarget** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:56 pm

Kiken wrote:
Shatterhand wrote:It was called "Champions"... it was about one single, long race. You had to waggle the stick left-right, while control the horse up-down, and press the button to jump obstacles.

It was more tiresome than Decathlon on the Atari 2600... the race took something like an hour... try keep waggling a josytick for an hour....
Can you say XII Stag, boys and girls?

The pain is worth it

But ummmmm, what the hell is up with horseracing! When I try to imagine what it'd be like to play a horse racing game, my instincts say "Not a chance!" Thus its quite unlikely I'll ever know...

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:04 pm

MovingTarget wrote:But ummmmm, what the hell is up with horseracing! When I try to imagine what it'd be like to play a horse racing game, my instincts say "Not a chance!" Thus its quite unlikely I'll ever know...

Horseracing sucks, give me something with four wheels and an engine anyday.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:28 pm

Horse racing is the epitome of sport. A real sportsman type sport.