Daytona USA 2
| Daytona USA 2 | |
|---|---|
 Japanese arcade flyer | |
| Developer(s) | Sega AM2 |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Toshihiro Nagoshi |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Release | June 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Cabinet | Sit-down |
| Arcade system | Sega Model 3 |
| Display | Raster, horizontal orientation |
Daytona USA 2 is an arcade racing game released by Sega in 1998 as a follow-up to the extremely successful Daytona USA. The game featured vastly superior graphics, utilizing the Sega Model 3 hardware. The majority of Daytona USA 2 cabinets were released as deluxe models (with far fewer Twin Cabinets), which could be linked together for up to four players. A notable change from the original is the ability to select a car and corresponding driver, each with varying capabilities for varying levels of player experience. Just like before, the game has three courses – a Beginner course with 8 laps with a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km), an Advanced course with 4 laps with a distance of 2.5 miles (4 km), and a long Expert course with 2 laps with a distance of 5 miles (8 km). The 'time lap' mode also returns, and is accessed in the same manner – by holding down start at the transmission select screen. Like the original game, mirrored versions of the tracks can also be played by holding down the Start button when selecting the course. It is recommended, however, that the player has had mastery of the course beforehand. By request, an arcade operator could put the game on Grand Prix or Endurance mode to increase the number of laps in a game. Finishing a race in the top 3 in any course allows the player to view an "ending" and see the game credits.
An addition to the game was the "slingshot", corresponding to advanced NASCAR drafting techniques. There are no home ports of Battle on the Edge and Power Edition. Is has been expected to emulate this game using the Supermodel emulator along with other Model 3 games.
Power Edition
In late 1998, a few months after the release of Battle on the Edge, Sega released an updated version, known as Daytona USA 2: Power Edition. Changes in this game include the environment of the beginner course; the dome and natural scenery that encircle the track in the regular release are removed and is changed to a "NASCAR Oval" look. However, the course layout remains the same. Also included is the "Challenge" course option, which combines the three courses altogether. Along with slightly revamped handling physics, the beginner car's livery is altered. Added to Power Edition is the Hornet Classic car, the player car from Daytona USA with an altered design. The opponent cars' AI is also more aggressive in this version, with another change being to one corner in the advanced course to balance out the difficulty. Before this change, many experts considered this corner the most difficult in the game. Unusual for an arcade game, there was also an official strategy guide released in Japan. This strategy guide featured developer interviews as well as comprehensive tips and hints compiled by a group of arcade driving game professionals known as Team Marubaku.[1] The strategy guide has been out of print for a number of years and second-hand copies can command high prices.[2]
Soundtrack
While the game features a vocal-based soundtrack similar to the original Daytona USA (but with a more electric, rockier-edged sound), the vocals were not sung by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, who composed the soundtrack to this game. The vocalist for all four songs is Dennis St. James. On the official soundtrack CD, there are versions of the songs where they are sung by Mitsuyoshi on the second disc. Contrary to popular belief, the band Winger did not create an entirely new soundtrack for the game or perform it as a band. Instead, the guitarist and drummer for Winger, Reb Beach and Rod Morgenstein, lent their skills to contribute to the soundtrack.
Daytona USA 2's soundtrack was released in Japan on dual-disc album on July 17, 1998. The first disc contains 'original audio' tracks – that is, the course themes etc. in standard format – and 'original sound' tracks – where Tom West, commentator for the Sega Sports Channel, reports on the day's racing. These tracks are the previous course themes mixed in parts with in-game audio, such as engine noise, crashes, radio chatter from the pit crew, and so on.
References
- ↑ http://www.marubaku.com/info/bakumemb_e.htm, Team Marubaku Memberlist.
- ↑ http://www.jap-sai.com/Games/Daytona_USA_2/Daytona_USA_2.htm, Daytona USA 2 Strategy Guide.