Hello Everyone!
One of the best games I've ever purchased for the Dreamcast was Daytona USA.
Now, as you may or may not know, I missed the Sega Saturn boat in the mid 90's. So, the only time I ever got the chance to play Daytona Racing was at the arcade or at some obscure friend’s house that actually owned a Saturn.
A lot of people have very fond memories of the Saturn version of Daytona racing even amidst the numerous technical shortfalls (Pixels, pop ups,). Released in 1996 was another Daytona racing game title that was meant to be an upgrade to the already existing Saturn version this was called Daytona: Championship Circuit Edition.
Fast forward to 2001 where the last surviving Dreamcasters were rewarded with the chance to purchase a brand new Daytona Racing arcade port, this time with added tracks, graphics, and a very impressive frame rate.
The minute I popped in Daytona USA I fell in love with it. I'm a frame rate junky, I love games that run smoothly. I can't get enough of solid development. If a game sucks but runs well I'll still play it out of respect. Daytona USA on Dreamcast was a great game AND ran well so I was in heaven. Dreamcast heaven. Where all good gamers go when they pass on to the next world.
In this edition we have upgraded graphics, not smoothed out pixels but a fresh and vibrant look that only Dreamcast games were capable of bringing to the table. There soundtrack was still there with wonderful sound effects that were dead on. There was added content too, 5 new tracks, 6 unlockable cars, online racing mode, championship mode, single race mode, time attack mode, and VS mode with up to 4 players.
This game was truly impressive and they gave it's case and manual the same amount of love and care they gave the actual game. No corners were cut in its production. This was top notch. Sega handled this game like an antique dealer would handle his most prized artifact.
Let's talk controls. For some odd reason, and maybe this is human nature, people love to criticize this games controls. Now, in the NTSC version of the game there is an option to adjust the sensitivity of the analog stick. I for one have absolutely NO PROBLEM with the controls. I think they're fine. Many others though have issues with them. I believe they over exaggerate their claims.
That's my review. I can't say anymore than this. Solid game, Solid add ons, and in my opinion blows the original arcade cabinet right out of the water.
Your thoughts? Comments? Questions?