Best Pc Racing game with LAN support?

[sac01]

Hey guys, I've decided to build a few racing cabs for my basement (like Fast and furious arcade ones) all linked together over a LAN.  I'm gonna start with 2, then keep adding...  I'm wondering what everyone thinks is the best Racing Game for the PC that supports force feedback, and mulitplayer LAN connections?


thanks
sac

[SirPoonga]

NFS series
Trackmania Sunrise
Collin McRae rally
Flatout
midtown madness
GTR FIA Racing

[NIVO]

toca race driver is a blast as well, great graphics, lots of tracks/series/cars. Actually any in the series will do, i still like the original myself.

[papaschtroumpf]

Trackmania sunrise's got my vote.
It's protected with StarForce though, so you have to have the CD in the drive at all times. Maybe not a problem for a dedicated racing cab, but an annoyance anyway.

[SpamMe]

There are also a few racing games worth playing for Xbox. Might be more cost-effective, too.

[sac01]

Great, thanks guys...I'll run through thoses and pick a few good ones..I'm gonna set up some kinda menu system with maybe a 1/2 dozen good ones on the systems...

Any thoughts on Steering wheels for the pc? I want force feedback, pedals.  And cost effective would be nice too, since if im builiding a few of these, i really dont wanna spend 200$ on 1 wheel. lol

thanks
sac

[markb]

I use this wheel and it is awesome, with one drawback though it doesn't work on Windows XP:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/InterAct-V4-Force-Feedback-Steering-Wheel_W0QQitemZ8723821977QQcategoryZ74943QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I run the NFS Underground 2 on it in LAN mode in Windows 98 with no problems. It is extremely rugged, very heavy, has excellent force feedback effects and it is the best wheel I have owned by a country mile.
Best of all if you can get your hands on one they are very cheap as they are not XP compatible.

[Crazy Cooter]

Best of all if you can get your hands on one they are very cheap as they are not XP compatible.

Neither are the MS Sidewinders for half the games.  XP has issues when it comes to using seperate axis inputs for brake/gas.

I like Need for Speed & Midtown myself.  Nascar would be fun if you played it seriously.

[SQrL]

Trackmania Sunrise with the new free eXtreme add on pack!!! talk about some "crazy" racing... good fun!  Even if you start off with one racing cab, try the "Hot Seat" mode!

[sac01]

Well been looking at all the options, and thanks guys for the suggestions... I've decided to build them with xbox's inside instead of pc's.  Just makes more sense, theres plety of great racing games out there for the xbox that support network play, and you can pick up a used xbox these days for less that $99.. so that plus the cost of a racing wheel, a tv (which is alot easier and cheaper to interface to the xbox, than worrying about a large vga or arcade monitor and a pc)

Looks like i'll be starting the cabs after xmas, i'll go pick up 3 or 4 of everything i need to get the cabs going.  Should be a nice conversation piece in the basement with all the other cabs.

-sac

[sac01]

1 more quick question, I seem to be getting mixed info on running xboxs on a LAN... Can i hook up 4 xboxs to a router, put the same game (that supports system link for 4 of course) in each unit, and just race? of do i need to sign up for xbox live, go on the internet with each console, and download patches or something?
Also, looks like that Fanatic speedster wheel seems to be the best for the xbox??? running around $99 on ebay atm...Anyone have one?? maybe I should move this to console board? heh


thanks
sac

[chemame]

I run the NFS Underground 2 on it in LAN mode in Windows 98 with no problems.

Okay, I have both NFS:U and NFS:U2 for PC... and...

Unless I'm really missing something, in NFS:U they dropped support for LAN mode, and you HAD to go through the crappy EA server to do multiplayer, even on your own network... so I grabbed a NFSU:LAN server package, and set up my own hack of an EA server to play on my LAN... AND...

When I bought NFS:U2, I looked for a similar homebrewed LAN server package, didn't see one, so never attempted to do multiplayer. (I don't actually play often... my boy does, and he just does his career)... SO....

The million dollar question... Am I missing something? Did NFS:U truly drop LAN support, and if so, did NFS:U2 bring it back?

Thanks for clarifying...

Chemame

[markb]

I have never attempted network play on NFS Underground as I think it is Internet play only, however I can tell you for a fact LAN play is a feature of NFS Underground 2. It allows up to 4 players to compete against each other.

I have a driving machine and an upright with detachable wheel which are networked so that the brother in law and I play it frequently.
The Chase/Tag mode is excellent fun, this is  where you have to get a certain distance away from your opponent.

[chemame]

I'm unable to find the original download location for this, but here's what appears to be the NFSU:LAN client & server

http://www.nfs-planet.de/nfs7_lan.php?lang=eng

It's absolutely awesome. Redirects all your NFS:U inet traffic to an ip address on your lan, where you run this server that fully emulates an official EA NFS:U server

That being said, I remember at one time trying out v 1.0.1 and having a problem with it. Can't remember what the problem is. I am on v0.9.9, and it's simply incredible. I found v0.9.9 for download on some german sites, but can't find an english version for download anymore (I have it though, so if you need this and v1.0.1 doesn't work out, let me know)

I know, I know, NFS:U is so old, why would you want this anymore? Because it's a cool hack, that's why!

Chemame

[markb]

I know, I know, NFS:U is so old


I'm glad its old as my driving machine has a XP2000 and a radeon 9200se which play NFSU no problem but struggle with NFSU2

[SQrL]

FYI...  Need For Speed: Most Wanted is GREAT!