Daytona USA for XBLA & PSN

[DJ_Izumi]

I think it was two years ago that I posted a thread here where Sega was teasing something about Daytona USA.  This turned out to not be a long drempt of port to XBLA and PSN but a 16:9, high res re-release for Arcades renamed 'Sega Racing Classic'.  SRC would run on PC/Windows based Ringwide arcade hardware and some speculated that it would allow for easy porting.

Two years later Daytona USA has finally been announced for XBLA/PSN and it seems to be a port of the released Ringwide version.

The announcement trailer is here:

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced the triumphant return of the cherished arcade racer, Daytona USA, coming this month to home consoles. Speeding out of the past from its 1993 debut, Daytona USA will be racing onto Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation Network. The classic title has been tuned up and overhauled with enhanced graphics, steering wheel support and, for the first time on home consoles, online multiplayer. Daytona USA will be available as a speedy digital download in North America on October 25 for PlayStation Network ($9.99) and October 26 for Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 (800 Microsoft Points), and in late November in Europe.
 Since its arcade debut, Daytona USA has stood the test of time as one of SEGA’s top racing titles, thanks to its colorful tracks for drivers of all skill levels, breakneck-speed gameplay and competitive head-to-head multiplayer options. The game’s iconic soundtrack is instantly recognizable to SEGA and racing fans everywhere, and every detail of the original hit has been meticulously preserved, polished and presented for the ultimate version of Daytona USA.
 
The re-release of Daytona USA features:
 
•Fresh Oil and a New Coat of Paint: Experience the classic retro graphics of the original arcade hit in an enhanced,16:9 widescreen format
 •Let’s Go Away: Relive your glory days of racing to the sounds of the original Daytona® USA soundtrack, also available in Karaoke Mode (admit it, you know you have been singing along anyway)
 •Pedal to the Metal: Drive like a pro with included support for the Logitech GT Driving Force steering wheel controller on PS3, and all Xbox 360-supported steering wheel controllers
 •Reach the Winner’s Circle: Challenge AI opponents in Arcade Mode, race the clock in Survival and Time Trial Modes, and trade paint with up to eight players in online multiplayer to place on the worldwide leaderboard

Well, one part is wrong there, Daytona USA had online multiplayer on both the Netlink Saturn port and the Dreamcast port, but whatever.  It sounds like a pretty straight port and I'm eager to pick it up in a week and a half.  Maybe they'll release some expansions or Daytona USA 2 later on if this is successful.

There is one thing you have to give credit to downloadable games for.  They're great for reselling you your childhood, 800msp at a time. :3

[codeena]

Got it for PS3 and liking it so far, although there are a few issues like the force feedback does not work correctly w/the Logitech G25--the wheel vibrates constantly whenever you turn the wheel (similar issue to Ridge Racer 7) and there is no ffb difference when you hit the wall, car, grass, etc. Hopefully, an update will fix this issue, but I just de-activated the ffb in the meantime. In addition, the multiplayer cars move erratically, but I think this may be if you and/or your opponents have slow network speeds.

Other than that, it's a nice arcade port--the graphics seem faithful, except with HD widescreen video and the lack of pop-up/draw-in issues of the original. You can use either the H-shifter of the G25 (most likely G27 too), or a sequential shifter.