Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge

n/a

Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge
System(s): Sega Model 3 Step 2.1
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega AM2
Genre: Racing
Number of players: 1-4

Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge is a sequel to Daytona USA, released exclusively in arcades for Sega Model 3 Step 2.1 hardware in 1998.

Daytona USA 2 builds upon the formula seen in Daytona USA - it is a NASCAR-style racing game where the player drives a stock car across three different circuits, attempting to overtake other players and finish first. From a gameplay perspective, little has changed, though there is a heavier emphasis on drifting this time around. The visuals and audio, however, have been greatly improved to take advantage of the improved hardware.

The game is an oddball in the Daytona USA series as it does allow the user to play as the "Hornet" stock car, nor does it include the three levels from the original arcade game. Though the Hornet team is still mentioned through advertisements on the tracks, Daytona USA 2 has the player drive a new set of cars (there are three to choose from, each with their own pros and cons) around three completely new tracks which have not been seen in a Daytona USA game since.

Like the original Daytona USA, cabinets can be linked together, but the game only allows up to four players to compete simultaneously rather than eight. Four players would be the maximum for all the Daytona USA games that followed.

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi would return to perform the vocals, however Dennis St. James was brought in to do the vocals of the western versions (though they both sing in English). There is an option for arcade operators to switch between the two.

Daytona USA would be followed by Daytona USA 2: Power Edition, which serves as an upgrade to this game. Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge would see no home ports of its own, however its advanced and expert tracks would be included as part of OutRun 2 for the Microsoft Xbox. The beginner circuit of Daytona USA 2 is included in that game as well, however it is the Power Edition variant.

Tracks

	The beginner track, Astro Waterfall Speedway as named in the official sound track, takes place within a large bio-dome, but is otherwise a circular track similar to the beginner track in Daytona USA. Like the original game, 40 cars are on the track and the aim is to overtake them all in 8 laps. This level is exclusive to Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge - Daytona USA 2: Power Edition removes the dome and turns it into a more standardised NASCAR race track. The music played on this level is "Sling Shot", and is the only level of the three to have a rolling start.
	The advanced track, Joypolis 2020 Amusement Park, takes place within a theme park (named after the real-life Joypolis parks), making it one of the more peculiar tracks in the Daytona USA series. Cars travel through haunted house, space, lava and ice areas, as well as an outside segment where the track leads under a swinging pirate ship. 20 cars are on the track by default and the race lasts 4 laps. The music played here is "I Can Do It".
	The expert track, Virtua City takes place in and around a city reminicant of New York (actually called "New Joke City"). There are only 2 laps by default, but 30 cars. "Skyscraper Sequence" is the name of the music track used in this level.

Gallery

• 

  Deluxe Cabinet

• 

  Twin Cabinet