Battle Gear 4

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Battle Gear 4
Developer(s) Taito
Publisher(s) Taito
Platform(s) Arcade
Release date Japan July 2005
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer (within shop)
Input methods Steering wheel, gear shift, hand brake, pedals
Cabinet Sit Down
Arcade system Taito Type X
Display LCD monitor (BG4T Pro)

Battle Gear 4 is an arcade racing game by Taito Corporation released in July 2005. It is the fifth product of the Battle Gear series. In 2006 the cabinets have then been updated to the Battle Gear 4 Tuned specification, which contains more cars, courses, and a new game mode.

Contents

[edit] System

The game runs on the Taito Type X motherboard, and has capability of connecting to the Internet. The typical controls include the gas and brake pedals, a steering wheel, a + / - shifting stick, and a handbrake. A "Nitrous switch" is available as well, which triggers either the Nitrous Oxide system on tuned NA cars, or an overboost function on tuned cars utilizing forced induciton. Both boosts in engine power come at the cost of reduced handling. A newer variant of the cabinet Battle Gear 4 Tuned Professional Version, sports a further clutch pedal, and an H-shaped gearbox control. They are used together to simulate full manual shifting. The professional version is released in November 2006.

The Type X motherboard has a function to connect to the Internet. This allows the machine to access time attack records and similar information online, and to upload the new records. When coupled with the NESYS network entry key (sold separately), the key users can have their cars "downloaded" from the virtual garage, and used during the play. The BG4 entry keys are not compatible with the BG3 series entry keys. Subsequently, any rewards that a player gained are uploaded onto the server (if the player uses the entry key and the machine is connected). The player can connect to the BG4 garage, and perform extensive modifications to the car.

[edit] Changes from BG3

When compared to the Battle Gear 3, there are certain features changed in this game.

  • The addition of European models (for example, Volkswagen Golf and Renault Clio (Lutecia) V6) and the European stages (with notable examples of the Monaco track and Monte Carlo Rally) representing a departure from Initial D.
  • The Takumi Mode in Battle Gear 3 is removed. Instead, a severe speed penalty is implemented into the system, forcing the player to use the brakes.
  • A more extensive tuning system is available to the key users. Instead of simply modding the external parts, the performance hardwares are available as well this time. These can be performed in the online virtual garage.
  • A player can also activate the "Garage Extension" functions. This includes the benefit of having a team, customizing decals, vinyls and setting names and such. This costs 300 yen per month.

[edit] Gameplay

There are at least 5 options of gameplay, in Battle Gear 4 Tuned.

  1. Event race. From time to time Taito announces special races that are restricted to tuned cars. Each key is only allowed to participate once in each event race. Players attempt to set the best time (or drift point record in drift mode) to compete against other players.
  2. Race mode allows players to race various level of opponents on different tracks. The game defaults the opponents' skill levels from 1 to 10, but it can be extended to level 98. Levels over 10 can only be unlocked by beating the previous level of opponents.
  3. Drift mode is the new add-on in BG4 Tuned. In this mode, the player drifts his car around the corners, attempting to gain the maximum amount of points. The time is not recorded on the machine, but the drift points.
  4. One make race is similar to the race mode, but the opponents appear with the exactly same car as the player.
  5. Time attack is the final mode of the game, where the player attempts to set the best time competing against the ghost car.
  6. Battle mode pits the drivers against each other. This extra mode can only be selected when there are more than one entrants joins the game, up to 4 players if 4 cabinets are available.

The game displays the result (after a game finishes) to a keyless player, and the additional title and awarded BG (battle gold, the virtual dollars in game) to the player using a key. Information are uploaded to the server, and the player can access the BG later on, provided that the machine is online.

[edit] Tuning System

Any player having the entry key can register an online garage account at the Taito website. This entitles the player to an extensive modification system that allows the player to customize his ride. Different from BG3, the player can now not only purchase external parts but also purchase performance parts. The "money" is calculated as battle gold, mentioned above.

As for the parts, a player can purchase upgrades for the engine, mufflers, transmission, suspension, tyres and aerodynamic parts. One can also tweak the look of the car with custom (and enlarged) wheels, gauges and decals.

Depending on the car model, engine swaps are possible. This may range from a variant with forced induction (mounted with a supercharger or turbocharger), to swapping an entirely different engine. For example, the Nissan 350Z can have the V6 engine swapped with an RB26DETT machine found in the Skyline GT-R or a VK45DE from the Infiniti Q45. Furthermore, some cars can accept parts from a racing version of it. For example, one can swap in the Ford Focus WRC's AWD drivetrain and engine into the Ford Focus ST170.

[edit] List of Tracks

The online version of Battle Gear 4 has 23 tracks available to the players. All tracks available in the reverse direction

  1. Super Novice (resembles the Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
  2. Super Novice B (High speed street track, feature Yokohama Bay Bridge, based on the Bayshore route of Shuto Expressway, Japan.
  3. Novice (resembles Itsukushima, Japan)
  4. Novice B (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Beginner")
  5. Novice C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Beginner", tweaked)
  6. Novice D (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Beginner B")
  7. Intermediate (resembles Mount Aso, Japan)
  8. Intermediate B (resembles Streets of Willow Springs, USA) or Odaiba
  9. Intermediate C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Intermediate", resembles Hakone)
  10. Intermediate D (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Intermediate B", a mixed course with dirt and tarmac roads)
  11. Advanced (The Circuit de Monaco)
  12. Advanced B (A snow course)
  13. Advanced C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Advanced")
  14. Advanced D (Battle Gear 3 "Advanced B")
  15. Super Advanced (Mt. Myogi, Japan. A sprint race that resembles Touge)
  16. Super Advanced B (A rally Super-special stage)
  17. Super Advanced C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Ace")
  18. Super Advanced D (A racetrack with various elements mimicking the Suzuka Circuit)
  19. Dreadnought (Mt. Akina, a track featured in Initial D)
  20. Dreadnought B (Mt. Akagi, also featured in Initial D as well)
  21. Super Dreadnought (Part of Turini, a Special Stage in Monte Carlo Rally)
  22. Super Dreadnought B (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Super Dreadnought", based on the Happogahara touge)
  23. Super Dreadnought C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Super Dreadnought B" ) , Based on a Touge located at Hakone, Kanagawa

[edit] Cars

Cars are divided into 5 classes, class S, A, B, C, D. Below is a brief list of cars, grouped into sections.

[edit] Normal Cars

"Normal" cars are cars that featured in the game, sans any special decals and such.

[edit] Class S

  • Any cars below, with performance parts installed and tuned regardless of the original level and the degree of modification.

[edit] Class A

Cars that clock 270-280 horsepower, the maximum available for a stock car in Japan. Vehicles in this category include:

[edit] Class B

Class B cars generally less powerful than the class A cars, and have around 190 to 250 horsepower (190 kW). Cars in this category include:

[edit] Class C

These cars pushes even less power form the engine, but generally easier to handle because of that. They clock around 130-180 horsepower. Cars in this category include:

[edit] Class D

These are generally light, low-powered cars, and has around 80 to 115 horsepower (86 kW). Cars in this category include:

[edit] Special Cars

Several cars have additional paints, decals, vinyls and parts that can be selected. It usually comes with handling changes unless the car is already customized. Cars that can have special decals and packages are

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, Ralliart Package
Nissan 350Z Nismo decals
Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 Nismo LM package(Similar to the Le-Man racing R33)
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Nismo package
Subaru Impreza spec C STI package
Toyota Altezza TRD package

In addition, the cars driven by the D1 Grand Prix Top Secret Team driver Youichi Imamura, who Taito sponsor, are also featured in the game, these include the A'PEXi Mazda RX-7 and the ORC Nissan 350Z. Both cars are tuned for drifting.

[edit] Is Related To

[edit] External links

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