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Tokyo Xtreme Racer (video game)

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Tokyo Xtreme Racer
Cover art
North American cover art
Developer(s)Genki
Publisher(s)Genki (Japan)
Crave Entertainment (NA/EU)[a]
SeriesShutokou Battle
Platform(s)Dreamcast
Release
  • JP: June 24, 1999
  • NA: September 9, 1999
  • PAL: October 14, 1999
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tokyo Xtreme Racer, known as Shutokō Battle (首都高バトル, Shutokō Batoru) in Japan and Tokyo Highway Challenge in Europe, is a 1999 racing video game by Genki, for Sega's Dreamcast console. Released as a launch title in the West, the game was one of the first mission-based racing games; it is based on illegal highway racing in Tokyo's Wangan highway with custom tuned cars. It was the second title in the Shutoku Battle/Tokyo Xtreme Racer series to be released in the West following Tokyo Highway Battle (1996).

When released in Japan, Shutokō Battle was one of the best selling Dreamcast titles at this time. A such phenomenon was growing popular in Japan at the time with dedicated manga (Shutokō Battle's biggest inspiration being Wangan Midnight), anime series and video games (C1 Circuit, Wangan Trial, Naniwa Wangan Battle).

Gameplay

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Gameplay

Players challenge other drivers on the Shuto Expressway in order to gain money to modify and enhance their cars. The game features a wide variety of Japanese cars and tuning parts to purchase as the player progresses through rivals.

Since its introduction in the mid '90s, like similar games, the Shutokō Battle series never used licensed cars but the usual type designation such as "TYPE-86" and later "TYPE-AE86L3". Nicknames were used instead in the "Wangan Dead Heat" sidestory (e.g. "Rapid Fire" for the "Nissan Skyline GT-R R33"). These "types" are actually the real chassis code used by the Japanese makers to designate the various grades of a lineup. As the graphics quality was improving with each release, from 16-bit 2D to 3D/CG 128-bit, the featured cars were becoming more and more similar to the actual cars appearance. In a similar way, the chassis codes became longer and more precise, allowing the player to determine each grade and to use the "rename car" feature.

Inevitably, the game becoming a solid best seller, the Japanese makers forced Genki to buy the license of their cars. The very first Genki licensed game was Wangan Midnight for PlayStation 2 (March 28, 2002), while the first licensed Shutokō Battle was Shutokō Battle Online released on PC (January 9, 2003). Since then, every Genki racing game uses licensed makers, and ingame cars with Honda chassis codes do not appear anymore in the Shutokō Battle games; however, Honda is licensed in the Kaido Battle series.

The Japanese' famous die-cast models company, Tomica, released a limited edition of Banshee's NSX in 1999. In the western release of the game, Banshee's controversial forehead-tattooed Hindu swastika was removed.

Ports

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In 2002 a 2D mobile phone version of Shutoko Battle by Genki Mobile was released through Vodafone Live!, with unlicensed Japanese cars. Game download and gaming service was only available in Japan. "Time Attack" passwords from Shutokō Battle Zero (PlayStation 2) can be used to unlock extra cars. Day/night racing conditions are directly taken from the user's mobile real time data. Melodies from Kaido Battle 2: Chain Reaction were available for free download.

Reception

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Tokyo Xtreme Racer received "average" reviews according to GameRankings.[1] In Japan, Famitsu gave the title a score of 32 out of 40.[5] Jeff Chen of NextGen said that the Japanese import of the game was "Not the greatest long-term value, but the new wrinkles make it worth a look."[12]

GamePro called Tokyo Xtreme Racer "a racing game that rolled off the assembly line prematurely."[13][b]

Notes

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  1. ^ Co-published in Europe by Ubi Soft
  2. ^ GamePro gave the game 3/5 for graphics, 2.5/5 for sound, 3.5/5 for control and 2/5 for fun factor.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Tokyo Xtreme Racer for Dreamcast". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Sutyak, Jonathan. "Tokyo Xtreme Racer - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  3. ^ Edge staff (September 1999). "Shutokou Battle (DC)" (PDF). Edge. No. 75. Future Publishing. p. 87. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "Tokyo Xtreme Racer" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 123. Ziff Davis. October 1999. p. 220. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "ドリームキャスト - 首都高バトル". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 35.
  6. ^ McNamara, Andy; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew (October 1999). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer - Dreamcast". Game Informer. No. 78. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on December 3, 2000. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  7. ^ "REVIEW for Tokyo Xtreme Racer [JP Import]". GameFan. Shinno Media. July 6, 1999. Archived from the original on May 11, 2000. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Colin (September 1999). "Tokyo Extreme Racer [sic] Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  9. ^ Fielder, Joe (September 7, 1999). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 11, 2004. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  10. ^ Ares (October 4, 1999). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  11. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (September 8, 1999). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Chen, Jeff (September 1999). "Shutokou Highway Battle [sic]". NextGen. No. 57. Imagine Media. p. 84. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  13. ^ Hryb, Larry "Major Mike" (October 1999). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer" (PDF). GamePro. No. 133. IDG. p. 147. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
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