Virtua Racing
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| Virtua Racing | |
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| Developer(s) | Sega-AM2 |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Yu Suzuki |
| Release date(s) | October 1992 (Arcade), 1994 (Genesis) |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Mega Drive/Genesis, 32X, Saturn, PlayStation 2 |
Virtua Racing is a Formula 1 racing arcade game, developed by Sega-AM2 and released in October 1992. It was one of the first driving games to use fully polygonal characters and environments (the first was Hard Drivin'), on the new 3DCG board "Model 1". It was later ported to home consoles, starting with the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994. It was also one of the first arcade games to have a 16:9 display.
The game had three levels, designated into difficulties. Beginner was "Big Forest", intermediate was "Bay Bridge" and expert was "Acropolis". Each level had its own special feature, for example the amusement park in "Big Forest", or the "Bay Bridge" itself, or the tight hairpin of "Acropolis".
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[edit] Virtua Formula
An upgraded version called Virtua Formula was released in 1993. It was unveiled at the opening of Sega's second arcade amusement park Joypolis, where a whole room with 32 machines was dedicated to the game. The number of simultaneous players rose from 2 to 8, using machines linked side-by-side. The display was changed to 4:3. An extra Model 1 board could be set up to power an extra screen, used for a virtual commentator ("Virt McPolygon").
[edit] Home console versions
Due to the complexity of the Model 1 board, a home console version seemed unlikely, until 1994 when a cartridge design incorporating the Sega Virtua Processor on an extra chip was created to enable a version on the Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive. It was more expensive than other games, initially retailing at 100 USD. While technically impressive, the console version ultimately suffered from choppiness and low polygon count. Because of that, this was the only game that used the extra chip.
The game was incompatible with Majesco's rereleased Genesis 3 from 1998.
The semi-sequel was Virtua Racing Deluxe, also released in 1994 for the Sega 32X. This was an upgraded version of the Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive original which performed much closer to the original arcade, and included two more cars than the regular F1 car. These were the "Stock" and the "Prototype". It also included two more tracks, "Highland" and "Sand Park". Due to the poor sales of the 32X, the game was not as popular as its Sega Genesis predecessor.
A Sega Saturn version was released in 1996 by Time Warner Interactive. This version was criticized for not being close to the original arcade game, as well as lacking playability.
An improved remake was released for the Sony Playstation 2 in Japan in 2003, later in the USA, and finally in Europe in March 2006 as part of the Sega Arcade Classics collection, a compilation comprised of a selection of individual Japanese releases.
[edit] Timeline of releases
- 1992: Original Arcade release.
- 1993: Virtua Formula (Multiplayer) Arcade release
- 1994: Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive release
- 1994: 32X release
- 1996: Sega Saturn release (by Time Warner Interactive)
- 2003: Sega AGES Remake for PlayStation 2 released in Japan
- 2005: Sega AGES Remake for PlayStation 2 released in USA as part of the Sega Classics Collection
[edit] External links
- information at segaarcade.com
- System16 - Sega Model 1 Hardware
- Arcade version referenced and shown within this 2002 video piece on the history of Polygon Graphics
