comparison of all Virtua Racing variants (lots of screenshots)

[c0ldb33r]

I've been playing Virtua Racing on my Nomad and was wondering how it compared to the 32X version (which I'm far too lazy to unpack and hook up).

Google answered my question but also compared other versions as well. This thread compares the Arcade, PS2, Saturn, 32X and Genesis versions of Virtua Racing. I thought it was pretty interesting and I thought I'd pass it along. Enjoy!

Link: http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=289737

[Kevincal]

I loved VR Deluxe on my 32X in 1994.

[InsaneDavid]

The Sega Ages PS2 version is superb, was released over here on the Sega Classics Collection. It's also supported currently in MAME. Nothing will ever match the arcade original.

[Poofta!]

fantastic link thanks!

i wonder how the virtua figthers compare...


edit: i am blown away by the arcade game. im gonna have to load this up and play it on mame. maybe even on my psp! (through mame and then through the sega collection, compare teh two!)

and its a sad day, when the 32x version makes you wanna play it more than the saturn...

[MrRoboto19XX]

You know, as largely unintentional as it probably was, I really like the art style of the virtua series, not just the colors, but the shapes and styles. So distinctive!

[thetoxicone]

Very interesting seeing how I've never played the saturn or ps2 versions.

[Wraith Storm]

Man I love Virtua Racing!!! I had all 3 Sega Versions.

The Genesis version, I thought, was petty decent. The 32X version was the BEST though, and I have good memories of my friends and my dad and I going at it for hours on end. The Saturn version was complete crap, however. Sure it had lots of extras that the other versions didn't have, but when the game was broke and looked worse (in my opinion) than the 32X version, it didn't really seem to matter.

[le geek]

I held onto the 32x for Virtua Racing alone, until the Sega Ages version came out. I still miss the extra cars and tracks though.

Cheers,
Ben

EDIT: There ARE extra cars and tracks in the PS2 version, but they are either not in Arcade mode or need to be unlocked... Looks like I need to give the game another look...

[grolt]

Great comparison. I own the Saturn and 32X versions, and while I've only played both minimally, it's surprising to see how superior the 32X version is. The Saturn version really is the black sheep. It's like Space Harrier, I guess, best played on the 32X.

[kedawa]

Are the tracks added to the PS2 version from previous ports of the game, or entirely new?

Virtua Fighter is also better on 32X than it is on Saturn.
It has more play modes, more costumes, a widescreen 16:9 mode, and less glitchy(but more primitive) graphics. They both play about the same. VF Remix was the best console version, though.

[Iron Draggon]

the most amazing thing to me about the Genesis version was paying $100 for it, then paying only $50 for the superior 32X version just a few months later, and finding out that the Genesis version can't be played through the 32X... then just a few more months later, I was paying $50 for the Saturn version... thank God the Nomad made it easy for me to play the Genesis version again, and play it on the go no less, otherwise I would've been pissed about paying $100 for it, only to have it rendered almost completely useless by the 32X & Saturn versions, which could both be had for the same amount of money...

but there was just something so decadently cool about paying $100 for the Genesis version, just because I could... and just because a reasonable port of the game could be done on the Genesis, thanks to the new SVP chip... it was a total rush, because I knew very well that I was among the priviledged few who could afford it... and afford to pay $100 for Phantasy Star 4 also... when those two games came out around the same time, it was as though Sega was trying to find out who was rich enough and loyal enough to support $100 cartridges, and I was more than happy to let them know that it was ME!

[Kevincal]

And now you'd be hard pressed to get $1 for the Genesis VR. :P

[InsaneDavid]

EDIT: There ARE extra cars and tracks in the PS2 version, but they are either not in Arcade mode or need to be unlocked... Looks like I need to give the game another look...

From what I remember (I unlocked them back when it was released) you have to complete the championship mode on top for each race to unlock each different car model.

Are the tracks added to the PS2 version from previous ports of the game, or entirely new?

From my review of Sega Classics Collection:

"Expanding on the arcade mode you also get a Grand Prix mode which adds three additional circuits: Island, Mountain, and Beltway. The Island circuit is new while the Mountain and Beltway are slightly remixed conversions of circuits from other Virtua Racing home ports."

[Melf]

It's like Space Harrier, I guess, best played on the 32X.

Space Harrier on the Saturn is awesome, especially if you have the Mission Stick.