Holy Crap! Konami spawns Initial D/Gran Turismo bastard half-breed
Real life mountain locations, masses of cars, drifting, more…
Okay, so you know how the Initial D game is actually a bit rubbish? Well, it’s not so much rubbish as it is potential-spurningly frustrating. And expensive too, with the latest data cards selling for a whopping £3 in the UK…
Anyway, back on track [pun intended? You decide!] Konami noticed this too and decided to rip the franchise off wholesale, announcing Kaido Racer for PlayStation 2, a story-driven [!] arcade racer focussed on drifting around mountain courses.
Konami offers realistic settings from the mountains of Japan and an impressive selection of 149 licensed vehicles from Nissan, Subaru, Honda, and, strangely, Alfa Romeo amongst others.
We have decided to publish the press release outlining Kaido Racer in full at the bottom of this news story so you can see just how precisely the title lifts the concept and content from Sega’s Initial D game. It’s a near perfect clone, seemingly only lacking tofu delivery, a mystical drift-genius father and sticky tape death races…
Understand, this is great news. Initial D is one of the greatest franchises in the history of mankind, and Sega’s arcade offering, though splendid in its own way, failed to capitalise on the potential offered by the anime series.
The Kaido press release:
Anyway, back on track [pun intended? You decide!] Konami noticed this too and decided to rip the franchise off wholesale, announcing Kaido Racer for PlayStation 2, a story-driven [!] arcade racer focussed on drifting around mountain courses.
Konami offers realistic settings from the mountains of Japan and an impressive selection of 149 licensed vehicles from Nissan, Subaru, Honda, and, strangely, Alfa Romeo amongst others.
We have decided to publish the press release outlining Kaido Racer in full at the bottom of this news story so you can see just how precisely the title lifts the concept and content from Sega’s Initial D game. It’s a near perfect clone, seemingly only lacking tofu delivery, a mystical drift-genius father and sticky tape death races…
Understand, this is great news. Initial D is one of the greatest franchises in the history of mankind, and Sega’s arcade offering, though splendid in its own way, failed to capitalise on the potential offered by the anime series.
The Kaido press release:
Kaido Racer heads for the hills
Konami of Europe revs up new PlayStation 2 racer featuring some of Japan’s most tortuous mountain courses
Konami of Europe will offer an unusual take on the racing genre this November, with the launch of Kaido Racer for PlayStation 2.
Developed by Genki Co. Ltd. Kaido Racer is a fast-paced racing title that faithfully recreates some of Japan's most famous mountain courses. The game features several authentically modeled courses taken from all over Japan, and invites players to test their skills in the mountain regions of Akagi, Zao, Aso and Haruna – each of which is fraught with danger and will challenge even the most accomplished drivers. Each race is fought against a number of CPU-controlled drivers or against a friend, and mixes official tournaments with more lucrative night-time events.
At the core of Kaido Racer are a series of 'Battle Modes', which players are charged with winning in order to earn prize money. This can then be invested in new parts and upgrades for their car, or even buy new vehicles. Kaido Racer features a roster of 149 licensed vehicles, including Nissan, Subaru, Honda, and Alfa Romeo, all of which offer subtle variances in handling and performance. Each will be pushed to their very limit as the player engages in the four key 'Battle' events the game offers.
The 'SP Battle' sees players attempting to keep a special gauge as full as possible. Each driver has an on-screen 'SP' gauge which is depleted slightly every time they lose the lead or hit another car. Players must drive efficiently and aggressively to keep their gauge as full as possible and to empty those of rival racers. Similarly, the game's 'CA Battle' accentuates the use of drifting, and rewards successful cornering. Players earn points for executing drifts when prompted, with the winner the player who accrues the most CA points.
The 'FL/LF Battle' will place the player either in first or last place on the starting grid. The player must then either hold on to the lead for the entire race or come from behind to win. Finally, the 'TAC Battle' mixes the racing genre's customary 'beat the clock' elements with the aforementioned 'SP Battle' system as players try to keep their SP gauge topped up, while racing against a very strict time limit.
Kaido Racer also features a story mode that shows off the personalities of the rival drivers, and introduces the likes of 'Slasher', 'Tricker' and 'Lovers' – very different people with very different driving styles. The interaction between characters is also furthered via an in-game BBC/Mail system which lets players communicate with other drivers using a simple email-style system; offering challenges or picking up tips from others using the boards.
The game also enjoys a special sound editor that allows players to create a personalised soundtrack to the game. Using a simple yet comprehensive menu system, players can create specific soundtracks using the wealth of music on offer. Everything from trance tracks to Euro-Pop is catered for and can be mixed together with ease to create the perfect soundtrack to Kaido Racer's mountain challenges.
Kaido Racer will be released for PlayStation 2 in November, 2005.
Konami of Europe revs up new PlayStation 2 racer featuring some of Japan’s most tortuous mountain courses
Konami of Europe will offer an unusual take on the racing genre this November, with the launch of Kaido Racer for PlayStation 2.
Developed by Genki Co. Ltd. Kaido Racer is a fast-paced racing title that faithfully recreates some of Japan's most famous mountain courses. The game features several authentically modeled courses taken from all over Japan, and invites players to test their skills in the mountain regions of Akagi, Zao, Aso and Haruna – each of which is fraught with danger and will challenge even the most accomplished drivers. Each race is fought against a number of CPU-controlled drivers or against a friend, and mixes official tournaments with more lucrative night-time events.
At the core of Kaido Racer are a series of 'Battle Modes', which players are charged with winning in order to earn prize money. This can then be invested in new parts and upgrades for their car, or even buy new vehicles. Kaido Racer features a roster of 149 licensed vehicles, including Nissan, Subaru, Honda, and Alfa Romeo, all of which offer subtle variances in handling and performance. Each will be pushed to their very limit as the player engages in the four key 'Battle' events the game offers.
The 'SP Battle' sees players attempting to keep a special gauge as full as possible. Each driver has an on-screen 'SP' gauge which is depleted slightly every time they lose the lead or hit another car. Players must drive efficiently and aggressively to keep their gauge as full as possible and to empty those of rival racers. Similarly, the game's 'CA Battle' accentuates the use of drifting, and rewards successful cornering. Players earn points for executing drifts when prompted, with the winner the player who accrues the most CA points.
The 'FL/LF Battle' will place the player either in first or last place on the starting grid. The player must then either hold on to the lead for the entire race or come from behind to win. Finally, the 'TAC Battle' mixes the racing genre's customary 'beat the clock' elements with the aforementioned 'SP Battle' system as players try to keep their SP gauge topped up, while racing against a very strict time limit.
Kaido Racer also features a story mode that shows off the personalities of the rival drivers, and introduces the likes of 'Slasher', 'Tricker' and 'Lovers' – very different people with very different driving styles. The interaction between characters is also furthered via an in-game BBC/Mail system which lets players communicate with other drivers using a simple email-style system; offering challenges or picking up tips from others using the boards.
The game also enjoys a special sound editor that allows players to create a personalised soundtrack to the game. Using a simple yet comprehensive menu system, players can create specific soundtracks using the wealth of music on offer. Everything from trance tracks to Euro-Pop is catered for and can be mixed together with ease to create the perfect soundtrack to Kaido Racer's mountain challenges.
Kaido Racer will be released for PlayStation 2 in November, 2005.
Companies:
Konami
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Comments
mattlacey 6 Sep 2005 16:07
1/15
"Okay, so you know how the Initial D game is actually a bit rubbish? Well, it’s not so much rubbish as it is potential-spurningly frustrating."
It's an awesome game and has many features which fans of the Anime know and love.. the jumps on Irokahaza anyone?
Maybe you guys just aren't very good at it?
It's an awesome game and has many features which fans of the Anime know and love.. the jumps on Irokahaza anyone?
Maybe you guys just aren't very good at it?
locke 6 Sep 2005 16:55
2/15
are you joking? im realllllllly good at it
i even have a trueno car in real life
except its not a hatchback its a coupe and i have a japaneese engine in it "US illegal not even sold in the US" ....its a 20valve 4age not even crappy honda has a 20valve engine...i even drift in my trueno with my friends..who own like 240s and RX-7s FCs and FDs
at the arcade i own people with my trueno,Altezza,celica,mr2
i even have a trueno car in real life
except its not a hatchback its a coupe and i have a japaneese engine in it "US illegal not even sold in the US" ....its a 20valve 4age not even crappy honda has a 20valve engine...i even drift in my trueno with my friends..who own like 240s and RX-7s FCs and FDs
at the arcade i own people with my trueno,Altezza,celica,mr2
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Joji 6 Sep 2005 17:31
3/15
I'm a big Initial D fan, it's a good anime/manga series but the games have never gotten out of japan to us.
As far as racing games go many from japan leave a lot to be desired, gagging in the high end exhaust fumes left by GT4, Burnout 3 etc.
Driving Emotion Type S, Tokyo Highway Battle etc, the crash barriers are littered with their remains from jap developers. Perhaps it's these very kinds of bad games that stopped the really good japanese driving games from getting to us.
I hope this Konami game turns out okay, because while GT4 is nice and all sometimes you want something simpler and without pesky driving test crap.
Perhaps it's a case of Konami not being able to obtain the Initial D license for themselves that they have slapped together their own. The storyline is a total homage to Initial D's so perhaps Konami are looking to make a series that they can build on the past driving game mistakes while possibly marketing it outside of japan too.
If Konami can build upon their experiences with Enthusia Pro Racing that can be good for them and us, it's clear that they must try something a little different to Polyphony's GT4. Everything is being overhshadowed by GT4 so perhaps Konami might wanna aim this game elsewhere than just PS2.
Let's hope it delivers without trying to hard to be GT4.
As far as racing games go many from japan leave a lot to be desired, gagging in the high end exhaust fumes left by GT4, Burnout 3 etc.
Driving Emotion Type S, Tokyo Highway Battle etc, the crash barriers are littered with their remains from jap developers. Perhaps it's these very kinds of bad games that stopped the really good japanese driving games from getting to us.
I hope this Konami game turns out okay, because while GT4 is nice and all sometimes you want something simpler and without pesky driving test crap.
Perhaps it's a case of Konami not being able to obtain the Initial D license for themselves that they have slapped together their own. The storyline is a total homage to Initial D's so perhaps Konami are looking to make a series that they can build on the past driving game mistakes while possibly marketing it outside of japan too.
If Konami can build upon their experiences with Enthusia Pro Racing that can be good for them and us, it's clear that they must try something a little different to Polyphony's GT4. Everything is being overhshadowed by GT4 so perhaps Konami might wanna aim this game elsewhere than just PS2.
Let's hope it delivers without trying to hard to be GT4.
TigerUppercut 6 Sep 2005 17:58
4/15
Matt Lacey wrote:
"Okay, so you know how the Initial D game is actually a bit rubbish? Well, it’s not so much rubbish as it is potential-spurningly frustrating."
It's an awesome game and has many features which fans of the Anime know and love.. the jumps on Irokahaza anyone?
Maybe you guys just aren't very good at it?
It's an awesome game and has many features which fans of the Anime know and love.. the jumps on Irokahaza anyone?
Maybe you guys just aren't very good at it?
I actually super-rule at Initial D, been playing for three or four years now. Thing is, the game is not very good when compared to anything else. The only good bit is the way you are forced to throw and catch the wheel, in fact, that's the whole game - being good at doing that. The negatives are endless.
All cars perform/handle exactly the same. That's enough to ruin it all right there.
But Love is in Danger... That's enough to make it...
Face it, the game should have been so much more - More everything, especially drifting tips mid-race from Takumi's dad!
TigerUppercut 6 Sep 2005 17:58
5/15
locke wrote:
are you joking? im realllllllly good at it
i even have a trueno car in real life
except its not a hatchback its a coupe and i have a japaneese engine in it "US illegal not even sold in the US" ....its a 20valve 4age not even crappy honda has a 20valve engine...i even drift in my trueno with my friends..who own like 240s and RX-7s FCs and FDs
at the arcade i own people with my trueno,Altezza,celica,mr2
i even have a trueno car in real life
except its not a hatchback its a coupe and i have a japaneese engine in it "US illegal not even sold in the US" ....its a 20valve 4age not even crappy honda has a 20valve engine...i even drift in my trueno with my friends..who own like 240s and RX-7s FCs and FDs
at the arcade i own people with my trueno,Altezza,celica,mr2
They're 180 (SX) actually, the good turbo-charged 1.8L version of the lame 240. And this kinda illuistrates my point. You use a Toyota Trueno 86 and it somehow beats RX7s...
locke 6 Sep 2005 18:13
6/15
TigerUppercut wrote:
Matt Lacey wrote:
All cars perform/handle exactly the same. That's enough to ruin it all right there.
so not true
1.the trueno is the best on Akina...and reallllly sucks on Tsuchizaka. the trueno is a drift happy car
2. the Mr2 is great on Happo Inbound.....mr2 sucks on Myogi and this car is super drift happy
3.Celica GT-4 (never in the states :( in real life it has 250HP turbo charged) this car is the best in the snow...Why? because it is 4-wheel drive..there are other cars that have 4-wheel drive but arent as good as the celica...is car also sucks in Tsuchizaka
4. the evolution IV is the best at Irohazaka
all the cars are different, and perform different on different courses...now if you want a game where all the cars perform the same play Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2
ive been playing the damn game since Ver.1 and now there is Ver.3
locke 6 Sep 2005 18:21
7/15
TigerUppercut wrote:
locke wrote:
They're 180 (SX) actually, the good turbo-charged 1.8L version of the lame 240. And this kinda illuistrates my point. You use a Toyota Trueno 86 and it somehow beats RX7s...
lol they are 180sx in japan cus they have a 1.8 liter engine(CA18DET)"the T stands for Turbo" here in the states they have a 2.4 liter truck engine(KA24DE)..but if you really want to be hardcore you dont even say the name of your car you say the body code...like 89'-94' 240s are the S13 body type 95'-whatever is S14
in drifting it doesnt really matter how "powerful" your car is....it depends on how you use it and how good you are at drifting ive seen tons of drifting videos off skylines get wasted by truenos
TigerUppercut 6 Sep 2005 19:40
8/15
locke wrote:
lol they are 180sx in japan cus they have a 1.8 liter engine(CA18DET)"the T stands for Turbo" here in the states they have a 2.4 liter truck engine(KA24DE)..but if you really want to be hardcore you dont even say the name of your car you say the body code...like 89'-94' 240s are the S13 body type 95'-whatever is S14
in drifting it doesnt really matter how "powerful" your car is....it depends on how you use it and how good you are at drifting ive seen tons of drifting videos off skylines get wasted by truenos
in drifting it doesnt really matter how "powerful" your car is....it depends on how you use it and how good you are at drifting ive seen tons of drifting videos off skylines get wasted by truenos
Impressive knowledge sir - But a few points. The 180SX/240SX naming does indeed come from the engine size. However, in Europe the SX is known as the 200SX, for no obvious reason as it's 1.8, until the S14 shape of course when a two lite lump was used.
I have actually spent the summer taking an S13 to stage one - FMIC, ECU, actuator, K7N, full Mongoose system and loads of handling mods - anti-roll (most important) lowered and stiffened on gas shock, fully rebuilt bottom end etc... So the Nissan SX line is something of a speciality of mine, and clearly yours. Ot you just used Google. :-P
When you talk of the difference in cars, track for track there's little difference - We both know that to be the case. I reckon I've pumped more money into Initial D than any other arcade in the past five years and that's saying something.
Also, the point is that the races aren't drift races in the traditional Japanese Do-rift-o sense. They are just mountain races. It's just that Takumi's father is a drift expert and explains how it can help him in certain parts. Up a mountain, is there any way ever that a f**king AE86 will beat an R34? The obvious answer is NO!
locke 6 Sep 2005 21:43
9/15
No i didnt google....I am a part of a drifting group here in CA. all day we talk about cars....go to Pick n pull...try to look for 86s and 240 parts and what other stuff that kids do..
my friend has a 200SX...its crappy since it isnt the SE-R
my speciality is 86s and i know alot about the other drifting cars under the spot light
ive also spent a s**t load of money on initial D..
this year we all went to the D1 PRofessional Drift Grand Prix series in Irwindale,CA with all the greats
( Keiichi Tsuchiya -Drift king(judge) his first drift car was the AE86)
(Manabu Orido-jugde to drifter...i remember him crashing is awesome supra)
(Yasuyuki Kazama-he and his green RX-7 FD won that day)
(Ken Nomura-lost bad with his yes ER34 4-door skyline)
we all had our mouths open watching all the 86s (one had a SR20DET in one) spanking everyone...we all agreed one of the 4-5 (i forgot) 86s should of won they were doing so good.
i have a
85 (AE86) Silver GT-S Coupe(well was silver...going to paint it black looks like s**t right now)
with a 20valve silvertop(160hp) engine swap DOHC,VVT,4 ITBs,20v
Stock LSD
2 front seats front a AE101 from japan
mushroom HKS intake
Tokico shocks 8k in front 6k in back
asole Detachable steering wheel
volt meter
alots of OTHER stuff most doesnt come to mind right now
i also have a super rare 85 Toyota Turbo truck and a rare GT-S Corolla FX same engine as a GT-S corolla
heres some pics of my car
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0063.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0064.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0073.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0059.jpg
my friend has a 200SX...its crappy since it isnt the SE-R
my speciality is 86s and i know alot about the other drifting cars under the spot light
ive also spent a s**t load of money on initial D..
this year we all went to the D1 PRofessional Drift Grand Prix series in Irwindale,CA with all the greats
( Keiichi Tsuchiya -Drift king(judge) his first drift car was the AE86)
(Manabu Orido-jugde to drifter...i remember him crashing is awesome supra)
(Yasuyuki Kazama-he and his green RX-7 FD won that day)
(Ken Nomura-lost bad with his yes ER34 4-door skyline)
we all had our mouths open watching all the 86s (one had a SR20DET in one) spanking everyone...we all agreed one of the 4-5 (i forgot) 86s should of won they were doing so good.
i have a
85 (AE86) Silver GT-S Coupe(well was silver...going to paint it black looks like s**t right now)
with a 20valve silvertop(160hp) engine swap DOHC,VVT,4 ITBs,20v
Stock LSD
2 front seats front a AE101 from japan
mushroom HKS intake
Tokico shocks 8k in front 6k in back
asole Detachable steering wheel
volt meter
alots of OTHER stuff most doesnt come to mind right now
i also have a super rare 85 Toyota Turbo truck and a rare GT-S Corolla FX same engine as a GT-S corolla
heres some pics of my car
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0063.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0064.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0073.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/y194/lockethevaliant/?action=view¤t=100_0059.jpg
mattlacey 7 Sep 2005 08:59
10/15
The quoting thing is a bit screwy methinks - for the record it wasn't me who said:
"All cars perform/handle exactly the same. That's enough to ruin it all right there."
I'm wondering why he's tried all the cars? the whole point is to stick with one and tune the sucker :)
And they're clearly not all the same. A few multiplayer battles over different tracks will show that in no time, and the reason the 86 wins? because it does in the anime... they couldn't remove that from the story could they?
The game is awesome and I know I've put in at least £50 over the last year.... and I don't regret it at all.
"All cars perform/handle exactly the same. That's enough to ruin it all right there."
I'm wondering why he's tried all the cars? the whole point is to stick with one and tune the sucker :)
And they're clearly not all the same. A few multiplayer battles over different tracks will show that in no time, and the reason the 86 wins? because it does in the anime... they couldn't remove that from the story could they?
The game is awesome and I know I've put in at least £50 over the last year.... and I don't regret it at all.
SPInGSPOnG 7 Sep 2005 13:31
11/15
locke wrote:
asole Detachable steering wheel
I suspect that this says it all.
locke 7 Sep 2005 16:52
12/15
Rod Todd wrote:
I suspect that this says it all.
says what?
the only reason i have it is because people try to steal it all the time...the car that is
locke 7 Sep 2005 19:22
13/15
Matt Lacey wrote:
I'm wondering why he's tried all the cars? the whole point is to stick with one and tune the sucker :)
well when youve played as much as i have, you want to play as cars no one does at your local arcade and beat them with it
Matt Lacey wrote:
And they're clearly not all the same. A few multiplayer battles over different tracks will show that in no time, and the reason the 86 wins? because it does in the anime... they couldn't remove that from the story could they?
86 is probably the best drifting car(if you go to local events alot of the 86s win)
its a very small car and has 50/50 wieght ratio
also remember in the anime and the game the 86 gets a beefy GOTT(or GOT) engine....takumi's dad takes the head of a Cappuccino [EA11R] and puts it on the 16v 4-AGE and then its able to rev up to 11rpms(if i remember)....my 20v 4-age revs up to 8.2rpms
yes truenos(corollas) do suck uphill..but who races uphill?
a very good built 86 is not to be taken lightly
ive seen a triple charged (NOS-turbo-Superchager on the 16v) have 320 hp
and also a twin turbo 20v blacktop have atleast 326.5 hp
the 86 is the granddaddy of drifting...and im happy to have one
TigerUppercut 8 Sep 2005 08:33
14/15
Matt Lacey wrote:
I'm wondering why he's tried all the cars? the whole point is to stick with one and tune the sucker :)
And they're clearly not all the same. A few multiplayer battles over different tracks will show that in no time, and the reason the 86 wins? because it does in the anime... they couldn't remove that from the story could they?
The game is awesome and I know I've put in at least £50 over the last year.... and I don't regret it at all.
And they're clearly not all the same. A few multiplayer battles over different tracks will show that in no time, and the reason the 86 wins? because it does in the anime... they couldn't remove that from the story could they?
The game is awesome and I know I've put in at least £50 over the last year.... and I don't regret it at all.
But the 86 doesn't. The best car is the RX-7 - At least, that's the car of choice of the best players I know.
locke 8 Sep 2005 17:26
15/15
no the RX-7 really isnt great in VER.3
the best car in VER.3 is the RX-8...but in real life the RX-7 FD is faster then the Rx-8..weird eh? maybe mazda said hey make the RX-8 better then our better car the rx-7
RX-8
1st in Dry
1st in wet
Cappuccino
2nd BEST in dry
19th place in wet...this car is crazy in wet
RX-7 (FD3SV)
5th in dry
8th in wet
Trueno(corolla GT-S here in the states)Hachi-roku is 86 in japanese
7th in dry
22nd in wet
heres the bests cars in each version
VER.1 RX-7 then 86
VER.2 Crappy intrega (i hate hondas)
VER.3 RX-8...now the intrega in this version sucks like it does in real life
the best car in VER.3 is the RX-8...but in real life the RX-7 FD is faster then the Rx-8..weird eh? maybe mazda said hey make the RX-8 better then our better car the rx-7
RX-8
1st in Dry
1st in wet
Cappuccino
2nd BEST in dry
19th place in wet...this car is crazy in wet
RX-7 (FD3SV)
5th in dry
8th in wet
Trueno(corolla GT-S here in the states)Hachi-roku is 86 in japanese
7th in dry
22nd in wet
heres the bests cars in each version
VER.1 RX-7 then 86
VER.2 Crappy intrega (i hate hondas)
VER.3 RX-8...now the intrega in this version sucks like it does in real life