Daytona USA (2011)

How much fun can a racing game really be these days, when it only has 3 tracks and 2 cars? That’s right; Daytona USA is light on content to say the least, because even its appearance leaves to be desired. But this also becomes one of its greatest strengths, by showing us all why this wasn’t only a pioneer in 3D graphics, but also in arcade racing joy.

There’s really only one goal in this game and that is to be the best one can be and never make the slightest error. Each play is one race divided in 3 categories, being Beginner, Advanced and Expert, which get done in 8, 4 or 2 laps respectively. In the main mode, players start at the tail of the pack and need all their cunning to gain pole position. Luckily, there is no unfair rival that catches up magically, but the game is hard as nails regardless. Even on the easiest setting, with the easiest race, even the slightest mistake could mean a loss or time out.

Every so often, a checkpoint appears, yielding a happily announced time extension. But the message is cheerier than the gift, because the allotted time is measured exactly towards the next section. This makes for an anxious race. Even by making all the right turns, the later challenges are perfectly able to run out of time before the finish line, even when in pole position! It’s not simply a matter of racing; Daytona USA tests endurance and focuses on improvement.

Luckily racing itself is quite entertaining, certainly when backed up by a bright and cheerful presentation of vivid colors and a catchy soundtrack, also available in Karaoke mode. However, the classic arcade feel requires a little adjustment, as steering is really jerky and thus the slightest tap lets the car make a violent movement. Yet, turning isn’t measured in the same way and in order to succeed, players will need to learn handling corners by heavy breaking or by losing a lot of acceleration. This furthers the anxiety of racing, because the prior handles rather difficultly and the latter loses precious time.

Fornicate your feces, good gent! You won't feel it anyway.

But while this exhilarating racing method is a pillar in arcade racing, it can sometimes be quite much to handle; certainly when a pole position spot can still lead to failure. The game has 3 difficulty settings, but all are equally stressing and require the best of the best at all times; no exceptions.  Some actions will even force exploits to stay in the race, such as using the fixed opponent cars, which can clip right through the walls and continue. And while the visuals are spruced up and as shiny as ever, having to stand still to see just how blocky this game used to be can be a little embarrassing. Wheels are not octagons.

Yet, there’s a lot to enjoy besides the main mode. Challenge, as the name would state, offers a ton of goals to complete, from easy as pie to incredibly punishing. There’s variety in each challenge and it might even convince some more casual players to upgrade their skill from automatic gear to manual. But the best mode in this game is Survival, since it combines the adrenaline rush of Daytona USA with rewards for using it! A timer indicates the time left and in order to keep racing, players need to take over cars, go easy on the brakes, make sure not to touch walls and go as fast as possible; all at the same time. Each incentive yields a miniature time boost, keeping racing intense every second. In addition, the traction on the tires also fades away with time, so players will need to plan pit stops like a true champion does, because these things eat time.

Ok, I'm not great at games; but this guy did horribly bad at Survival.

As a pick up and play title, Daytona USA is certainly a fun title, keeping players to the edge of their seats. Naturally, it’s also possible to get together and play some multiplayer rounds, which is always more fun than playing alone. It might be minimalistic and somewhat lacking in content, but it hasn’t yet lost its original arcade appeal. Even with its somewhat punishing difficulty, there’s more than one way to enjoy a few races or even merely sing along: Daytona, let’s go away!

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Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)