F355 Challenge
From Sega Retro
F355 Challenge | |||||
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System(s): Sega NAOMI Multiboard, Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 | |||||
Publisher: Sega, Acclaim (DC, US/EU), Sony Computer Entertainment (PS2, EU) | |||||
Developer: Sega AM2 CRI Tose | |||||
Genre: Racing | |||||
Number of players: 1-2 | |||||
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F355 Challenge (F355 チャレンジ) is an arcade racing game developed by Sega AM2 for Sega NAOMI Multiboard hardware. It is the brainchild of AM2 head and Ferrari enthusiast Yu Suzuki, and was originally released in 1999.
Like previous Sega AM2 racing games, F355 Challenge is based on a real event endorsed and run by supercar manufacturer, Ferrari - the "Ferrari Challenge". Here, Ferrari owners come together and race across various race tracks across North America. At the time, they were likely running an "F355 Challenge" for the Ferrari F355 as the car was still current, however this changes year-on-year (at the time of writing for example, they are running F430 and 458 challenges, though the basic goals are the same).
Contents
Gameplay
As the name suggests, the game has you race in a Ferrari F355 against other cars around a series of tracks. No other cars feature within the game though there are a number of options allowing you to modify your car to your liking. The player races through a dozen tracks based on real locations aiming to finish first. Up to two players are supported on-screen at once.
The arcade F355 Challenge is also notable for its deluxe configuration, which adds an extra two screens on either side of the "main" monitor. This allows players to look left or right and see more of the playfield. It is impossible in F355 Challenge to change the view - games are always played as if the player was sitting in the driver's seat.
Tracks
- Motegi (oval circuit)
- Suzuka (short configuration)
- Monza (1998 configuration)
- Sugo
- Suzuka (full configuration)
- Long Beach
- Atlanta*
- Nürburgring*
- Laguna-Seca*
- Sepang*
- Fiorano (Ferrari test track)*
* exclusive to home verisons.
History
Development
F355 Challenge was conceived by Yu Suzuki, who had been working for over ten years trying to deliver a true driving experience to video game consumers. The game can be seen as a spiritual sequel to the 1986 release of OutRun, however was designed with a completely different style of gameplay in mind. Whereas OutRun (and many other Sega arcade racers) aim for a unrealistic and fast-paced arcade experience, F355 Challenge aims to be as realistic as possible, giving the user the experience of driving a Ferrari without actually owning one.
It is rumoured that Yu Suzuki's personal Ferrari F355 was used as a basis for many of the features included in this game.
The game features a hard rock soundtrack by Japanese singers Genki Hitomi and Minoru Niihara.
Legacy
Less than a year after its arcade debut, F355 Challenge was ported to the Sega Dreamcast, in the west sporting a subtitle, F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa. Following the demise of the Dreamcast, it was also brought to the PlayStation 2, this time as Ferrari F355 Challenge.
The home ports feature a number of options not seen in the arcade original, most notably five unlockable tracks.
The arcade version was followed by F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition in 2001. F355 Challenge 2 is largely the same game but gives arcade users the five console-only tracks from F355 Challenge
Production Credits
Dreamcast Version
Producer and Director: Yu Suzuki
Assistant Director: Koki Koiwa
Main Programmer: Youji Kato
Programmers: Takanori Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Shigekuni, Hideki Tanaka, Takehiko Usui, Shigeru Yoshida, Takayuki Kazama
Designers: Makoto Ando, Yukitoshi Katsuyama, Tomoaki Inoue, Munekazu Makino, Kazfumi Ohashi, Mitsugu Tsuchida, Norihiro Adachi, Shigetaka Kyoya, Takashi Matsuda
Sound: Satoru Higashi, Fumio Ito, Naoyuki Machida, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Hideaki Miyamoto, Tatsutoshi Narita, Yasuhiro Takagi, Keisuke Tsukahara
Music: Tomoya Koga
Songs: Genki, Minoru Niihara
Voice: Alan J.
Publicity: Ai Kotani, Utako Okukawa
Publicity Designers: Kaznori O, Akira Yamanaka
Supervisor: Makoto Osaki
Licensing Director: Masahiro Nakagawa
Special Thanks to: Naoki Hattori, Tetsuya Ohta, Kazuo Shimizu, Masahiro Sugiyama, Funky Corporation
The Developers with to Thank the Following:' City of Long Beach, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach Inc., Autodromo Nazionale Monza S.I.S.A., SpA, Twinring Motegi, Sportsland Sugo, Suzuka Circutland, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Laguna Seca Race Way (Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, Nürburgring GmbH, Sepang International Circuit SDN. BHD. and Ferrari Idea S.A.
Presented by Sega
Original Game ©Sega Enterprises, Ltd. 1999
©Sega Enterprises, Ltd./CRI 2000
Developed By AM2 of CRI
PlayStation 2 Version
AM2/SEGA Unit:
- Director: Makoto Osaki
- Sound Producer: Tatsutoshi Narita
- Special Thanks: Masahiro Nakagawa (Sega of Japan), Koji Kuroki (Sega of Japan), Yasushi Yamashita (Sega of Japan), Akihiko Chatani, Motokazu Tsubono, Akihito Kato, Hideki Tanaka, Koki Koiwa
TOSE Unit:
- Director: Hiroyoshi Inoue
- Assistant Director and Game Designer: Teruyuki Okumura
- Asssistant Director: Gouki Kitamura
- Main Programmer: Takashi Higashijima
- Programmers: Kiyotaka Omura, Hisashi Sugimoto, Ryuzo Konda, Ken Morimoto
- Main Designer: Noboru Shirahase
- Designers: Ryuki Shimatani, Koukichi Yamamoto, Tetsuo Nishikawa, Yusuke Yamazaki, Keiju Go, Kouji Nakajima
- Sound: Takeshi Sato
Producer: Yu Suzuki
General Producer: Hissashi Suzuki
The Developers wish to Thank the Following: City of Long Beach, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach Inc., Autodromo Nazionale Monza S.I.S.A., SpA, Twinring Motegi, Sportsland Sugo, Suzuka Circutland, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Laguna Seca Raceway (Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, Nürburgring GmbH, Sepang International Circuit SDN BHD and Ferrari
In Cooperation with TOSE Co. Ltd
Created by Sega AM2
Original Game ©Sega Corporation
©Sega-AM2 Co.,Ltd/Sega Corporation, 2000, 2002
Gallery
Physical Scans
NAOMI Version
Sega Retro Average | ||||
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N/A | |
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Based on 0 reviews |
Dreamcast Version
83 | |
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Based on 40 reviews |
PlayStation 2 Version
PlayStation 2, UK |
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PlayStation 2, FR |
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PlayStation 2, ES |
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Artwork
- F355Challenge 0gdtex.png
External Links
- Official website DC version on Sega.jp (Japanese)
- Official website PS2 version on Sega.jp (Japanese)