Daytona USA Hands-On

When fully engulfed in the din and chaos of the arcade atmosphere, it's often difficult to realize the brilliance displayed by some of the games. Despite this limiting atmosphere, Daytona USA 2001 has built its legacy as the most fun to be had with a set of linked arcade cabinets. Sega has brought the Daytona series home before with Daytona CCE and Daytona USA for the Saturn, but its limited capabilities prevented the games' visuals from holding up to the standard set by the Model 2-powered arcade version. But with the Dreamcast, Sega finally has a console capable of doing its arcade stock car racer justice, and it appears as if Daytona USA 2001 is the game to do just that.

Compared with the now ancient arcade version, Daytona USA 2001 for the Dreamcast is loaded. While there are only three tracks to race on in the cabinet-bound Daytona USA, Daytona USA 2001 has nine. All three tracks from the arcade version have been included, along with the three original tracks from CCE and three new Dreamcast tracks. In the single-race mode, any of the nine tracks may be chosen for a one-shot deal. Like the arcade version, checkpoints must be reached within a time limit in order to continue and finish. The timing is cumulative, so if you barely make a checkpoint, you can bet that making the next one isn't going to be an easy task. Conversely, if you're blazing through the competition, you'll have added seconds to burn. The championship mode allows you to enter a series of races in hopes of capturing first overall. As you complete each race, you are moved in the starting grid of 20 cars according to your finish. If you capture first overall, a new difficulty level is opened, with more tracks added to the series. The time attack mode allows you to shoot for your best times, save ghosts, and race against developer ghosts.

Keeping its multiplayer heritage alive, Daytona USA 2001 features extensive gameplay options for social settings. Up to two players may compete head-to-head in split-screen races on any of the tracks. Additional cars controlled by the computer may be added for a maximum of 12. But Daytona USA's biggest draw is the ability to play it online via SegaNet. Up to 40 competitors may duke it out at once, but this feature is almost impossible to take advantage of in the US with a Japanese copy of the game. Thus, the jury is still out on Daytona USA 2001's network play.

After choosing which mode to attack, it's time to set the race parameters. There are four initial cars to choose from, and each has its own rating for grip, acceleration, and top speed. The tire grip, transmission, and color of each car may be altered to suit the race conditions or, in the case of color, to achieve a personalized look. In any mode but the championship, you may then choose the track and whether it will be normal, mirrored, reversed, or a combination of the latter two. Race length may then be set from two to 40 laps, and up to 40 total cars may be added to the race.

Once out on the raceway, things quickly get hectic. With up to 40 cars racing at once, there are plenty of tight passes to be made and a great deal of racing skill to be acquired. Though Daytona USA 2001 was reared in the arcades, there's a great deal more to succeeding than merely stomping on the gas and jerking the analog stick from side to side. It takes a caressing hand on the trigger buttons and gentle nudges of the analog stick to wrangle the cars around tight turns. If you stomp on the brake while sharply turning the wheel, the car enters a powerslide that allows you to slip through hairpin turns. Veering off course and smashing into a wall is a good way to end up in the back of the pack. Depending on the point of impact, the car will pull to one side and its top speed will be lowered. Pit stops can be made to repair your car, but it's only worth attempting in races of more than 20 laps. Otherwise, you'll end up bringing up the rear, as the computer-controlled cars rarely falter in their methodical march around the course. It's best to just avoid contact by racing defensively and picking your moments to pass.

Visually speaking, Daytona USA 2001 looks markedly better than the arcade version. The tracks and cars have been constructed from the ground up to take advantage of the polygon pushing power of the Dreamcast - and it shows. Off-track events take place around every bend, and landmarks clutter the backgrounds to serve as memory joggers. Towering steel structures hang over the tracks, casting real-time shadows on the ground and cars. The rounded cars look impressive, thanks to the use of reflection routines, which give them a shiny gloss, and transparencies, which allow you to see inside the windows. As the cars take damage from accidents, quarter panels become disfigured and billowing smoke begins to seep from the engine compartment. Daytona USA 2001's game engine provides a nice depth of view, even in the multiplayer modes. In the split-screen races, however, the reflections and other effects are removed and the textures appear a bit grainy. Considering 40 cars appear onscreen at once and the frame rate consistently rumbles along at 50-plus, though, these minor problems are more than forgivable.

For better or for worse, the repetitive songs from past installments of the Daytona series have returned to be remixed, while some newer, techno-influenced tracks permeate the soundtrack as well. The sound effects are particularly acute. Crowds cheer as you pass the grandstand, engines echo in tunnels, and the sound of the tires on the road lets you know when they're losing grip.

Judging from the final Japanese copy we received, Daytona USA 2001 is already an excellent driving game. The difficulty can be frustrating at times, but the gorgeous graphics, solid controls, and intense sense of speed makes a game that's hard to put down. Those looking for an import-worthy Dreamcast title should have few problems with Daytona USA 2001's English menu system. But without the ability to play online, it might be best to wait for the North American release later this year. We'll have more on Daytona USA 2001 when we receive an updated US version.