Tokyo Xtreme Racer
Encyclopedia
Tokyo Xtreme Racer, known as Shutokō Battle (首都高バトル) in Japan
and Tokyo Highway Challenge in Europe
, is a racing video game for the Sega
Dreamcast. Released in 1999 as one of the console's launch titles, the game was one of the first mission-based racing games. The gameplay involves the player challenging other drivers on the Shuto Expressway
in order to gain money to modify and enhance his or her car. The game features a wide variety of Japanese cars and tuning parts to purchase as the player progresses through rivals.
When released in Japan, Shutokō Battle was one of the best selling Dreamcast title at this time. The game is based on illegal highway racing
in Tokyo
's Wangan
highway with custom tuned cars. A such phenomenon is growing popular in Japan since the 90's with its dedicated manga
(Shutokō Battle's biggest inspiration being Wangan Midnight
), anime
series and video games (C1 Circuit, Wangan Trial, Naniwa Wangan Battle).
edition designed by GRP (Genki Racing Project) that included licensed Japanese cars, was being created with the working title "Shutokō Battle Zone Of Control", but it has been shortened to "Shutokō Battle" when released. Weekly Famitsu rated it 31/40, while the original Dreamcast title received 32/40. This PSP edition was licensed to Konami
and released in North America as "Street Supremacy" in early 2006.
released a limited edition of Banshee's NSX
in 1999. In the western release of the Dreamcast game, Banshee's controversial forehead tattooed Hindu swastika
was removed.
for PlayStation 2 (28.03.2002), while the first licensed "Shutokō Battle" was Shutokō Battle Online released on PC, the 9th of January 2003. Since then, every Genki racing game uses licensed makers, and ingame cars with Honda
chassis codes don't appear anymore in the Shutokō Battle games (However, Honda is licensed in the Kaido Battle
series).
was released as Tokyo Highway Challenge 2.
In 2001, the second sequel, titled Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero
, was released for PlayStation 2 in Japan and North America. This was originally intended to be released for Dreamcast, but those plans were scrapped.
In 2003, the third sequel, titled Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3, was released for PlayStation 2
. Kaido Battle
was also released that year in Japan and focused on touge
racing and drifting
.
Shutokō Battle was released for Xbox 360
in Japan on July 27th, 2006. It was later released under the title, Import Tuner Challenge
, to North America and Europe on September 26th, 2006.
On February 28th, 2006, a new installment of the series was released for the PSP
, marketed as Street Supremacy in North America. Later, in April of that year, North America saw the release of Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift
, a localized version of the 2003 title, Kaido Battle
, previously only available in Japan. The Drift was an interquel between Zero and 3.
The last sequel, entitled Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift 2
(the North American release of Kaido: Touge no Densetsu), was released on April 17th, 2007. Kaido Battle 2: Chain Reaction (2004, released in Europe as Kaido Racer) was skipped in North America.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Tokyo Highway Challenge in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, is a racing video game for the Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
Dreamcast. Released in 1999 as one of the console's launch titles, the game was one of the first mission-based racing games. The gameplay involves the player challenging other drivers on the Shuto Expressway
Shuto Expressway
is a network of toll expressways in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is operated and maintained by the .Most routes consist of elevated roadway above other roads or over water, and have many sharp curves which require caution to drive safely...
in order to gain money to modify and enhance his or her car. The game features a wide variety of Japanese cars and tuning parts to purchase as the player progresses through rivals.
When released in Japan, Shutokō Battle was one of the best selling Dreamcast title at this time. The game is based on illegal highway racing
Street racing
Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal motor racing which takes place on public roads. Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned and coordinated. Well coordinated races are planned in advance and often have people communicating via 2-way radio/citizens' band radio and...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
's Wangan
Bayshore Route
Wangan has many meanings. See Wangan for a list.The Bayshore Route of Shuto Expressway is a stretch of toll highway in Greater Tokyo, 70 km, that runs from Yokohama city, Kanazawa ward, to Ichikawa city of Chiba Prefecture...
highway with custom tuned cars. A such phenomenon is growing popular in Japan since the 90's with its dedicated manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
(Shutokō Battle's biggest inspiration being Wangan Midnight
Wangan Midnight
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Michiharu Kusunoki and serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits since 1990, later in Kodansha's Young Magazine. In 1999, it won the Kodansha Manga Award for general manga....
), anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series and video games (C1 Circuit, Wangan Trial, Naniwa Wangan Battle).
Mobile edition
2002 Vodavone Live! 2D mobile version by Genki Mobile with unlicensed Japanese cars. Game download and gaming service only available in Japan. "Time Attack" passwords from "Shutokō Battle Zero" (PlayStation 2) can be used to unlock extra cars. Day/night racing conditions are directly taken from the user's mobile real time data. Melodies from "Kaido Battle 2 Chain Reaction" were available for free download from 25/02 to 31/03 2004 to Shutokō Battle owners only.Portable edition
In 2005, a PlayStation PortablePlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
edition designed by GRP (Genki Racing Project) that included licensed Japanese cars, was being created with the working title "Shutokō Battle Zone Of Control", but it has been shortened to "Shutokō Battle" when released. Weekly Famitsu rated it 31/40, while the original Dreamcast title received 32/40. This PSP edition was licensed to Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
and released in North America as "Street Supremacy" in early 2006.
Campaign
Japanese famous die-cast models company, TomicaTomica
Tomica is the line of die-cast toy vehicles and related products produced by Takara Tomy Co. of Japan . This is not the same as Tomica World, which is a line of motorized trains and vehicles and accessories that Tomy Co. of Japan has produced since the late 1990s...
released a limited edition of Banshee's NSX
NSX
NSX may refer to:* Namibian Stock Exchange , a stock exchange based in Namibia, Africa* Narrow Shape Cross-Section Blade , a design of ice-skating blade from Diederik Hol...
in 1999. In the western release of the Dreamcast game, Banshee's controversial forehead tattooed Hindu swastika
Swastika
The swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing form in counter clock motion or its mirrored left-facing form in clock motion. Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient...
was removed.
Inspirations
- A famous car is hidden in the Japanese version, this car is Takumi Fujiwara's (from popular manga & TV series "Initial D") Fujiwara Tofu Shop "Home Delivery" Trueno. This special car is the only one with the ability to drive in the wrong way of the traffic. When doing this, a police siren is heard. The Genki Racing Project team later included the same car in Racing Battle.
- In Shutokō Battle 0, another hidden car was the red S15 Silvia that of Nobuteru TaniguchiNobuteru Taniguchiis a Japanese racing driver and former drifting driver who currently competes in Super GT. Taniguchi is commonly nicknamed "NOB" or "The Pimp" as a reference to his S15 Silvia which he is best known for....
from the D1GP series with his original livery and is sponsored by the publisher. Taniguchi, between 2004–05, drove for Bandoh Racing, who incidentally endorsed the earlier games. - The Last Bosses, called "Devils", cars are designed according to those appearing in the 1992 manga Wangan MidnightWangan Midnightis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Michiharu Kusunoki and serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits since 1990, later in Kodansha's Young Magazine. In 1999, it won the Kodansha Manga Award for general manga....
. "Zero" drives the same large fog lights equipped black Porsche 911 Turbo (Type-964) than Tatsuya Shima, while "???" owns Wangan Midnight's main character, Akio Asakura's tuned blue Fairlady Z (Type-S30) "The Devil Z".
Types & Licenses
Since it's introduction in the mid '90s, like similar games, the "Shutokō Battle" series never used licensed cars but the usual type designation such as "TYPE-86" and later "TYPE-AE86L3". Nicknames were used instead in the "Wangan Dead Heat" sidestory (e.g. "Rapid Fire" for the "Nissan Skyline GT-R R33"). These "types" are actually the real chassis code used by the Japanese makers to designate the various grades of a lineup. As the graphics quality was improving with each release, from 16-bit 2D to 3D/CG 128-bit, the featured cars were becoming more and more similar to the actual cars appearance. In a similar way, the chassis codes became longer and more precise, allowing the player to determine each grade and to use the "rename car" feature. Inevitably, the game becoming a solid best seller, the Japanese makers forced Genki to buy the license of their cars. The very first Genki licensed game was Wangan MidnightWangan Midnight
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Michiharu Kusunoki and serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits since 1990, later in Kodansha's Young Magazine. In 1999, it won the Kodansha Manga Award for general manga....
for PlayStation 2 (28.03.2002), while the first licensed "Shutokō Battle" was Shutokō Battle Online released on PC, the 9th of January 2003. Since then, every Genki racing game uses licensed makers, and ingame cars with Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
chassis codes don't appear anymore in the Shutokō Battle games (However, Honda is licensed in the Kaido Battle
Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift
Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift is the third racing game published by Crave Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. During the game you race at both day and night. Day time offers the opportunity to enter competitions and gain money...
series).
Toyota
- (AE86T) Sprinter Trueno GT A'pexToyota CorollaThe Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
3DOOR 1986 - (AE86L) Corolla Levin GT A'pexToyota CorollaThe Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
3DOOR 1986 - (JZA80) Supra Type RZ TWIN TURBOToyota SupraThe Toyota Supra is a sports car/grand tourer that was produced by Toyota Motor Company from 1979 to 2002. The styling of the Toyota Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra became its own model and was no longer based on the Celica...
1997 - (JZX100) Chaser Tourer-V TURBOToyota ChaserThe Toyota Chaser is a mid-size car produced by the Toyota Motor Company, Japan. Most were 4-door sedans, with the 2-door coupe discontinued after the first generation...
1998 - (SW20) MR2 GTToyota MR2The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat, mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car produced by Central Motors, a part of Toyota, from 1984 until July 2007 when production stopped in Japan...
1997 - (XE10) Altezza RS200 "Z EDITION" 1998
Nissan
- (RPS13) 180SX type XNissan 180SXThe Nissan 180SX was a hatchback coupe based on the S13 chassis from the Nissan S platform, and sold in Japan; and in some other countries under the 200SX name....
1994 - (S13) SILVIA K's 2000ccNissan SilviaThe S12 was produced from 1984 to 1988, with revisions to the exterior trim in 1987 . It was sold in three configurations—a coupe , a hatchback, and a widebody chassis called grandprix .A number of different engines were equipped in the S12 chassis, depending on production year and more...
1988 - (S14) Silvia K's AERO SENissan SilviaThe S12 was produced from 1984 to 1988, with revisions to the exterior trim in 1987 . It was sold in three configurations—a coupe , a hatchback, and a widebody chassis called grandprix .A number of different engines were equipped in the S12 chassis, depending on production year and more...
1996 - (Z32) Fairlady Z Version S Twin Turbo 2 seater 1998
- (R32) Skyline GT-R V-spec IINissan SkylineThe first Skyline was introduced in April 1957, by the Prince Motor Company, and was marketed as a luxury car. It featured a 1.5 L GA-30 engine producing 44 kW @ 4400 rpm. It used a de Dion tube rear suspension and was capable of 140 km/h . The car weighed around 1300 kg...
1994 - (R33) Skyline GT-R V-specNissan SkylineThe first Skyline was introduced in April 1957, by the Prince Motor Company, and was marketed as a luxury car. It featured a 1.5 L GA-30 engine producing 44 kW @ 4400 rpm. It used a de Dion tube rear suspension and was capable of 140 km/h . The car weighed around 1300 kg...
1997 - (Y33C/Y33G) CEDRIC BROUGHAM VIPNissan CedricThe Nissan Cedric is a large automobile produced by Nissan since 1960. It was developed to provide upscale transportation, competing with the Prince Skyline and Gloria which were later merged into the Nissan family...
/GLORIA Gran Turismo ULTIMANissan GloriaThe Gloria is a large luxury car made from 1959 by the Prince Motor Company, and later by Nissan Motors since its merger with the former - hence being originally marketed as Prince Gloria and later as Nissan Gloria...
1997
Mazda
- (FC) SAVANNA RX-7 ∞-IIIMazda RX-7Series 1 is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."In 1980...
1989 - (FD) RX-7 Type RSMazda RX-7Series 1 is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."In 1980...
1995 - (MX5) Miata Eunos roadster 1985
- (MX5) Miata MX5 2000
Mitsubishi
- (CE9A) Lancer GSR Evolution IIIMitsubishi LancerThe Mitsubishi Lancer is a family car built by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times,...
1995 - (CP9A) Lancer GSR Evolution VIMitsubishi LancerThe Mitsubishi Lancer is a family car built by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times,...
1999
Honda
- (DC2) Integra type R 3DOOR spec'98Honda IntegraThe Honda Integra is a compact luxury performance coupe made by Honda during the years 1985 to 2006. The sporty front wheel drive car is able to house five passengers with a two door hatch or four door sedan available.The Integra was on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list six times, in...
1998 - (EK9) Civic type R spec'98Honda CivicThe Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
1998 - (NA2) NSX type S ZeroHonda NSXThe Honda NSX, or Acura NSX, is a sports car that was produced between 1990 and 2005 by the Japanese automaker Honda. It is equipped with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, powered by an all-aluminium V6 gasoline engine featuring Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control ...
1997
Nissan
- (S15) Silvia Spec-R 1999
- (R34) Skyline GT-R V-spec 2000
- (S30) Fairlady Z 1978 (Wangan Midnight tuned version)
Four Devas
- (FDD) Midnight Cinderella's RX-7 1999 (flame version)
- (NA2D) Banshee's NSX 1999 (flame version)
- Banshee's only available in the Japanese edition
Four Devils
- (JZA80D) Exhaust Eve's Supra 1999 (racing stripes version)
- (R34D) Raven Blood's Skyline 1999 (red tuned version)
Initial D
- (AE86TD) Takumi Fujiwara's Trueno 2000 (Fujiwara Tofu Shop "Home Delivery" version)
- only available in the Japanese edition
Mitsubishi
- (GFLF) Eclipse GS-T 1999
- (GFLS) Eclipse Spyder GT 1999
- not available in the Japanese edition
Sequels
In 2000, the first sequel, titled Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2, was released for Sega Dreamcast in Japan and North America. A version of the game for the PAL regionPAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
was released as Tokyo Highway Challenge 2.
In 2001, the second sequel, titled Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero
Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero
Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero is a racing game developed by Genki for PlayStation 2. Despite its name, it is an interquel between Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 and Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift, and has enhanced sound and graphics. The game was released in Japan but was also a limited release in North America...
, was released for PlayStation 2 in Japan and North America. This was originally intended to be released for Dreamcast, but those plans were scrapped.
In 2003, the third sequel, titled Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3, was released for PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. Kaido Battle
Kaido Battle
Kaidō Battle is a racing video game series for the PlayStation 2 created by the Japanese video game developer Genki. They are focused on Touge racing and heavily centered on drifting...
was also released that year in Japan and focused on touge
Touge
is a Japanese word literally meaning "pass." It refers to a mountain pass or any of the narrow, winding roads that can be found in and around the mountains of Japan and other geographically similar areas, like the legendary Nordschleife in Germany....
racing and drifting
Drifting (motorsport)
Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed...
.
Shutokō Battle was released for Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
in Japan on July 27th, 2006. It was later released under the title, Import Tuner Challenge
Import Tuner Challenge
Import Tuner Challenge is the international title for Shutokou Battle Ten , a racing game published by Ubisoft and developed by Genki for the Xbox 360...
, to North America and Europe on September 26th, 2006.
On February 28th, 2006, a new installment of the series was released for the PSP
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, marketed as Street Supremacy in North America. Later, in April of that year, North America saw the release of Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift
Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift
Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift is the third racing game published by Crave Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. During the game you race at both day and night. Day time offers the opportunity to enter competitions and gain money...
, a localized version of the 2003 title, Kaido Battle
Kaido Battle
Kaidō Battle is a racing video game series for the PlayStation 2 created by the Japanese video game developer Genki. They are focused on Touge racing and heavily centered on drifting...
, previously only available in Japan. The Drift was an interquel between Zero and 3.
The last sequel, entitled Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift 2
Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift 2
Tokyo Xtreme Racer DRIFT 2 is a racing simulator by Genki that was released in 2005...
(the North American release of Kaido: Touge no Densetsu), was released on April 17th, 2007. Kaido Battle 2: Chain Reaction (2004, released in Europe as Kaido Racer) was skipped in North America.
External links
- Tokyo Xtreme Racer at GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...