Powered by Naomi 2 in the coin-op, Sega chooses the PS2 to represent the home conversion of Inital D: Special Stage. Choose any one of the anime rocket racers as your protagonist and compete against rivals on four different mountain courses ranging from the beginner Myogi level to the expert Happogaharai night level. Vehicles from Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Subaru may be chosen as your mountain hugging ride.
The "Arcade Mode" from Special Stage is almost exactly like Initial D: Arcade Stage Version 2. But it is unknown if Sega Rosso tried to balance the cars again, or if the car rankings from Version 2(in this case, the Integra is the overall best car) applies to Special Stage. They have also got rid of "Challenge Bunta Fujiwara" mode.
Graphically, Arcade Stage is much more superior due to the NAOMI 2 Hardware being much more powerful (and easier to program with) than the Playstation 2's hardware. So the anti-alaising to get rid of the jagged edges on the cars is basically non-existant.
Sound wise, I've been hearing complaints of the engine noise being too loud and the music noise being too soft. It doesn't bother me that much though. There are no volume options for this, just the option to turn them on or off (which kind of sucks.) But Special Stage has a lot more music than Arcade Stage. Like at least 20 more songs!
On the gameplay front, using the controller is a pain in the ass due to it being so sensitive. However if you get a steering wheel, it will play almost like Arcade Stage.
Feature wise, Special Stage blows Arcade Stage out of the water! Special Stage has the Quest Mode (story mode) where you play as Takumi Fujiwara and relive all of his races from the anime and manga! Plus Special Stage includes the REAL MYOGI AND REAL USUI tracks, along with Shomaru Pass, Momoji Line, and Enna Pass!
On the car balancing. SEGA Rosso FINALLY balanced the cars, so the Integra DC2 is no longer the best car in the game.
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
Racing game of the extreme popularity comes to PS2 arcade popular comic of "Initial D". Aim to public road fastest ride hero Fujiwara Takumi next, to "Hatiroc". The faithful reproduction of the original, and all 11 courses and Usui, you are a faithful representation of the in-depth local coverage. I'll have recorded the well received "public road fastest legend mode" in the arcade version.
FEATURES:
- Third or First person perspectives.
- 3D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Racing & Anime themes.
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