Daytona USA returns to arcades in high-def as 'Sega Racing Classic'
by Randy Nelson 
{ Oct 15th 2009 at 5:30PM }
In recent weeks, what appeared to be a promotional flyer for a new Sega AM2 arcade game, Sega Racing Classic, has been making the rounds. Its inclusion of imagery closely matching that of Daytona USA lead many to believe there might finally be a new sequel to the, er, racing classic. As it turns out, coin-op industry site Highway Games has obtained an official rundown on the game, and it's ... an HD remake of the original Daytona USA, sans the name.
According to the site -- which also has pictures of the sit-down cabinet -- Sega Racing Classic is "a revamped version of Sega's smash hit Daytona USA, featuring the original tracks and heart pumping action with all new high definition graphics." Specifically, the machine sports a 32" widescreen LCD display and the game runs at 1280x720 (720p) resolution. As suggested by the aforementioned flyer, SRC is powered by Sega's latest arcade hardware, Ringwide.
Since Sega no longer has the rights to the "Daytona" name, it's likely that the game's title won't be the only change. There's the little issue of the attract sequence music, with its enchanting repetition of the word "Daytona" along with the lyrics "let's fly away." Still, whatever the name, Sega's classic racer in HD is a welcome surprise. We imagine some of you have already started online petitions to bring the game to PSN and XBLA before even finishing this post.
[Via Arcade Heroes]
According to the site -- which also has pictures of the sit-down cabinet -- Sega Racing Classic is "a revamped version of Sega's smash hit Daytona USA, featuring the original tracks and heart pumping action with all new high definition graphics." Specifically, the machine sports a 32" widescreen LCD display and the game runs at 1280x720 (720p) resolution. As suggested by the aforementioned flyer, SRC is powered by Sega's latest arcade hardware, Ringwide.
Since Sega no longer has the rights to the "Daytona" name, it's likely that the game's title won't be the only change. There's the little issue of the attract sequence music, with its enchanting repetition of the word "Daytona" along with the lyrics "let's fly away." Still, whatever the name, Sega's classic racer in HD is a welcome surprise. We imagine some of you have already started online petitions to bring the game to PSN and XBLA before even finishing this post.
[Via Arcade Heroes]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yan @ Oct 15th 2009 5:32PM
I really hope the local Dave & Busters gets a slew of these. An updated nostalgia rush? Yeah. I think I can do with that.
LameDuck @ Oct 15th 2009 8:21PM
Have fun trying to beat all the little kids to it. I went to one outside DC and it was all kids and drive-bys. Mostly drive-bys.
I'd give my left nut for a place that is really for adults where you don't have to put up with pissy ass kids and their self-entitled parents. TAKE YOUR GENETIC CODE TO CHUCKY CHEESE AND GTFO OF MY D&B!
Yan @ Oct 15th 2009 8:24PM
I know what you mean.
Luckily, after 9PM, my D&B only admits 21+. It's pretty empty at that time, too. So a slew of my buddies and I would stop by and play some Mario Kart GP.
SolidSnakeX @ Oct 15th 2009 8:48PM
Heck yeah but please let us use our own music in this game as well and DLC!.This would be a smash it!..
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 5:36PM
Sega, I want a remake of Virtua Racing.
Please?
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 5:51PM
I mean, do you know what I have to go through to play it on my TV?
I have to dig out that huge Genesis cart, then I have to disconnect my 32X, then remove the video overlay cable, then attach the AV cable back to the Genesis itself, then stick that huge cart in there. And I have to reverse this to put things back. See why I want a remake for a modern console?
Sadistic Freek @ Oct 15th 2009 6:09PM
Maybe you could find the 32x version? That's the one remember playing.
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 6:11PM
I've played it through Kega, but I prefer the music on the Genesis version, oddly. Same way I prefer the 32X version of Doom over the PC or other ports.
Peter Moore @ Oct 15th 2009 5:37PM
Partially offtopic:
Do ever go to Daytona when a race is happening, lest you want to be stuck in traffic for a long ass while.
On topic:
This was always my favorite arcade game when I was younger.
Side tangent:
Ever play Daytona USA at Daytona Int. Speedway? It's all very meta.
Kyle @ Oct 15th 2009 5:37PM
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2000/20001004h.jpg
AoE @ Oct 15th 2009 5:46PM
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!
Now SEGA, do the right thing and and release a home console port of it as well, and I'll forgive you for the past decade worth of Sonic games.
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 5:56PM
The Sonic games on the DS haven't been terrible, and Sonic Adventure was alright, but I see your point.
AoE @ Oct 15th 2009 9:26PM
Don't get me started on Sonic Adventure. No it wasn't a terrible game when you judge it on it's merits and separate from the fact that it's Sonic yet the game isn't terribly fast. HOWEVER, it was also the game that set the stage and tone for the last decade of crappy Sonic games we've had to deal with; and that's a pretty unforgivable offense.
As for the DS games? I'm glad to hear it but couldn't say as I don't own a DS.... also, didn't they make a fucking Sonic RPG for that platform?! I'm sorry I don't care if it was the greatest handheld RPG ever... that's not very Sonic-like and ultimately dilutes the brand/character... if they wanted to make an epic handheld RPG they should have brought Alex Kidd back.
RKN @ Oct 15th 2009 5:58PM
The neat thing is that the RingWide and RingEdge arcade platforms from Sega use PC components, an Intel processor, Nvidia GPU, etc.
I am surprised there isn't a PC emulator for these yet and at least a PC port would be easy. The Taito X2 arcade board used in BlazBlue also has PC parts, so why not a PC emulator or port?
If arcade systems can use off the shelf PC parts, I can't see why consoles can't, just don't make them as upgradable as PCs so they don't have to worry about system requirements and all that but ports between all platforms is easy. Hell, have one copy of a game work for PCs and the Xbox 720!
Kyammi @ Oct 15th 2009 6:05PM
I don't know what makes you think a PC port would be easy. Just because it uses a specific set of PC components (it has a proprietary mobo and custom OS) that doesn't mean a port would be easy. They'd have to remake the games for hundreds of different potential PC hardware combinations.
Writing an emulator won't be possible for that hardware for a good 20+ years, we haven't even emulated Xbox 1 yet, let alone modern PC hardware.
It's not all off the shelf hardware, and it runs a barebones OS probably with special drivers.
The upgradability of PC hardware kills efficiency.
tcc3 @ Oct 15th 2009 6:25PM
See: the original Xbox
Hamalope @ Oct 15th 2009 5:59PM
I used to work in an Arcade and that infernal Daytona machine was cranked up to be the loudest thing in there. I often used to work double shifts, so 16 solid hours per day have engraved both the Daytona song and the intro to Time Crisis on my mind forever. To make it even worse, one of my colleagues pointed out that it sounded much more like 'Eddie Boner' than 'Daytona' so now that's all I can hear.
Enjoy my pain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EkAVmBVmVE
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 6:08PM
I know the feeling. My boss had the contract to fix the machines at a pizza place. After spending way too many hours there, I have both the intro to Time Crisis and the terrible, endlessly repeating music to an old Atari racing game (can't remember the name, but it had a funky steering wheel that had two handles and triggers) stuck in my head forever.
Jack @ Oct 15th 2009 6:51PM
Oh man I remember walking the floor in Santa Cruz and hearing, Daaaytoonaaaaaaaa!" all day long.
I kinda hated it but now its just nostalgic to me.
lou @ Oct 15th 2009 5:59PM
Rollllling Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaart!
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 15th 2009 9:06PM
Wasn't that Virtua Racing?
Cyberstrike3000X @ Nov 22nd 2009 5:58PM
Ono
The title music was the best thing about this game.
[QQQQ]
Scott @ Oct 15th 2009 6:17PM
What's an arcade?
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 6:19PM
I weep for the future...
Nigeria: Charmy Bee DF @ Oct 15th 2009 6:21PM
I hope my local arcade don't get rid of the creaky 1994 Daytona cabinets. I still give the game a spin once every three or four months.
This announcement brings a right smile to my face. Look at that blue sky.
horngreen @ Oct 15th 2009 6:26PM
A 15 year old racing game in high def? No thanks.
Kai Cherry @ Oct 15th 2009 8:09PM
A 15 year-old child on an Internet comment? No thanks.
WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Oct 15th 2009 6:29PM
I always hated Daytona, but mainly because I can't get that song out of my head.
DAY-TOH-NAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Daniel @ Oct 15th 2009 6:31PM
i loved daytona on sega saturn!
AmishPhysicist @ Oct 15th 2009 6:31PM
Features 720p graphics on a 32" screen! It's almost as good as playing xbox at home!
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 15th 2009 6:32PM
You only get 720p from your Xbox? Strange...I get 1080...
AmishPhysicist @ Oct 15th 2009 6:36PM
Dear Doctor, please take note of the word "almost" in my post. Implications abound!
Filter @ Oct 15th 2009 6:55PM
Hey doctor, when was the last retail realse that was native 1080p ? Stop being ass...
RKN @ Oct 15th 2009 7:36PM
720P native, 1080P upscaled, there's a difference.
AmishPhysicist @ Oct 15th 2009 6:36PM
Dear Doctor, please take note of the word "almost". Implications abound!
Brian @ Oct 15th 2009 7:08PM
Anal retentive comment of the day: It's "let's GO away" not "let's FLY away".
phunkxl @ Oct 15th 2009 7:08PM
I WANNA FRRRRRYYYYYYY SOOOO HIIIIIIIIIIIIGH!!!!
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO TOGETHAAAAAAAAAA~
BRUE BRUE SKIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Mr.ESC @ Oct 15th 2009 7:13PM
Port it to xbox live or PSN.
LameDuck @ Oct 15th 2009 8:24PM
I may just have to break out the ol' Saturn and my 33k modem. Anyone got theirs still? It'd be funny to play some seganet or whatever it was called. Xband direct dial? Wait... that was SNES... hmm...
AOClaus @ Oct 15th 2009 8:29PM
I was reading the specs for the Ringedge arcade hardware and it doesn't sound too bad. I'd like to know how much it costs. It's too bad that Sega will never release such a thing as a "home" version, the costs are probably too prohibitive and the last console they had we...RIP DC.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 15th 2009 8:34PM
I heard this one is for the other Ringboard and that one is much less powerful.
WickyWoo @ Oct 15th 2009 11:05PM
I'm so hardcore I have the soundtrack album WITH THE KARAOKE TRACKS!
That's right suckers, I can karaoke the songs and NOT JUST SING ALONG! :)
captain underpants and the bringdown gang @ Oct 15th 2009 11:18PM
Daytona USA, without you we would not have t-pain....
OH GOD WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
G @ Oct 16th 2009 9:55AM
Huge fan DUSA and SF Rush, yes bring them back. Can wait for new Hydro Thunder either (still go?).
KeenCommander @ Oct 16th 2009 12:18PM
I still have this game...on the Saturn. I'm not sure if that's win for the game, or fail for the Saturn. Leaning towards the latter...
VicViper @ Oct 16th 2009 11:30PM
Sega, please, please bring this one home, fully intact. And please give us the Daytona 2 tracks too!
This could be the first step in the resurrection of Sega. Ok, probably not, but let's all dream...