Hello and welcome back to another instalment of Retro Revival, discussing classic games that have been given a new lease on life through modern platforms. As a refresher, this will be covering HD Remasters, emulated ports and games that are included in collections. So in this entry, I will be covering one of the most influential games in the racing genre. The first “fully 3D” racing game, Virtua Racing, brought back by M2 through the SEGA AGES series.
Disclaimer: the games discussed in this feature have been purchased by me, so the opinions given within are all my own. There has been no sponsorship of the content within this feature. Links to the different versions of the game will be provided at the bottom of this feature where possible.
So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general gameplay experience for the game, alongside some background on the game then provide some personal thoughts on it.
About the game
Virtua Racing is a 3D racing game, using a Formula 1 style of car in 16 car races. Take to the circuit across three tracks in fast paced racing action, offering 5 lap standard races and 20 lap grand prix challenges. The three course are split into Beginner, Intermediate and Expert, with their own distinct themes to them. There is the Big Forest that has a Ferris Wheel, Bay Bridge with the titular bridge and Acropolis, which is set by a sailing club.
At the start of a run, the player will be able to select one of the three courses. The player will also be able to select the transmission they want to use, with the option for automatic gear change as standard. But if players want to have more control, they can activate Manual gear shifting, for that little extra challenge. In the standard races, only one car is available, but in grand prix mode, different car colors can be selected via the options menu.
When competing in a race, there is a time limit to complete the race that continuously ticks down. This can be extended by hitting checkpoints along the track. As the player passes each checkpoint and completes laps, the time bonuses will decrease, increasing the time pressure. But the time limit itself isn’t the only tension, as there are 15 other racers on the track, gunning for first place. Any contact with these opposing racers can cause the player to spin out.
If the player is unable to reach the end of the final lap within the time limit, the race will be over and they will go back to the title. When the player finishes a race, they will get to add their best time for the whole race to the game rankings. However, if the player has the skills to reach the front of the pack, placing first, something special happens. A special 3D cutscene will play out, alongside the credits as a reward for achieving victory.
This game has what was a revolutionary feature at the time of the release, the “V.R. View System” which allowed players to select up to 4 different camera perspectives. The use of this feature allows players to experience races in a fun way, offering several ways for races to play out. There is also a dynamic display on screen, showing a map that will move as the player makes their way along the track. This makes for a dynamic racing experience.
As this is a special port of an arcade game, there are additional features that have been added to the game. The first to cover are the multiplayer offerings, where players can play online and on the same screen. When playing in a multiplayer race, the total number of laps is reduced to 4 in a normal race, alongside the total cars on the track. Only the active players will appear in the race, making it a challenging head to head competition.
The online game mode is limited to 2 players, with random matching and room settings. Unfortunately, there are few players around to play online mode with, so if you want to play with another it may be best to check forums for players. In the offline multiplayer, up to 8 players will be able to play together, offering a chaotic experience for game nights. All multiplayer modes also have the time limit, with the lead player controlling the timer.
For those who want to put their skills to the test, there is an online leaderboard, giving players a chance to compete for the best time. In the single player, there is a fastest time and best lap records for each track, adding replay value to the package. This is accompanied by a replay system, which records the best finish for each track and can upload them automatically. The top 50 times for each track may also have replays, showing how times were met.
Personal Thoughts
Virtua Racing was not the first racing game to use 3D polygonal graphics, with games like Winning Run from Namco coming first. However, SEGA utilized their ground breaking technology to push the genre forward, creating the first fully 3D racing experience. Unlike earlier offerings, this release fully utilized 3D polygons, letting players see the whole car with the different camera views. This was unlike other games that had a static cockpit view.
Then there are the effects of car damage, which showed the wings and parts of the car being smashed up by crashes. This was often combined with exaggerated crashes, where the car would fly into the air upon hitting a barrier at high speed. SEGA pushed the boundaries further with full 3D cinematic scenes, showing off the cutting edge visuals of the time. This made Virtua Racing stand out among the other offerings at the time.
I first found this game through the home port on the SEGA Mega Drive way back, no knowing it was an arcade game. I played this a lot back in the day, alongside other SEGA racing options like Outrun, Super Monaco GP and Super Hang-On. This was long after games like Daytona USA, SEGA Rally Championship and Ridge Racer had been released. So I was not aware of the importance and impact at the time, but learned about it as I got older.
I had played the different home ports, like the enhanced version on the SEGA Saturn, alongside early emulations of the game. So when this was released on the Nintendo Switch, I was excited to the arcade version in an official capacity. This was due to the game becoming largely forgotten in the years after release. It may be a simple game, with limited content, but it is a lot of fun to play, especially with others in the same room.
The limited general experience of the game is not a negative, as it makes the game easy to pick up and play at the drop of a hat. The feel of the racing is balanced well, with the ability to take turns at solid speeds and keeping up a good pace. This makes the gameplay rewarding, as good control of the car can shave seconds off a lap and push into first place. It can take a few attempts, but it is a lot of fun to push to the front of the pack.
The most fun that can be had with this game is the multiplayer, with up to 8 players taking to the track for competitive battles. I have played this quite often during game nights, having head to head races that feel distinctly different to many other titles. Then there are the informal time trials, taking it in turns to see who can set the best lap time and total time, expanding the possibility of fun. This makes it perfect for retro game meetups.
SEGA have a bit of an unfortunate track record when it comes to their older games, often having a tendency to only release a few different games. So it was a welcome surprise to see this game get a modern release, as it deserves more attention for how special it is. The quality of the emulation is perfect, thanks to the work of M2, who have created many high quality emulated ports, as well as the other games in the SEGA AGES series.
If you haven’t played Virtua Racing before, only played via unofficial emulation or via the home ports, then I recommend checking this out. This is a modest package at a price that won’t break the bank, which goes on sale quite often for big discounts. The SEGA AGES series was a short lived experiment, but offer fantastic value and a glimpse into the storied past of a legendary company, giving players a chance to experience forgotten classics.
If you have enjoyed this feature, then take a look around the other content and see what catches your eye. There are reviews, occasional news and more features that cover a variety of games. There are the Lost Gems and Gaming Oddities, with a special Co-op feature coming in the future. So please stick around and check out the other offerings.
Link to SEGA AGES Virtua Racing (HERE)
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