Initial D: Arcade Stage

[Brats]

It's one of those games when you first play, you think "Is this it?". But after a while it grips you. The one more go feeling is huge, mainly because of the card system. Be prepared to wait at Goodge Street, it's always packed. (BTW, why is Goodge Street called so when it's actually on Tottenham Court Road?)

Not sure how well this will translate to the home version though. An online scoreboard with world rankings would help enourmously.

[C']

Not sure how well this will translate to the home version though. An online scoreboard with world rankings would help enourmously.

Yes, I am beginning to wonder if I am going to be enthralled with this game in the same way once it hits the PS2. I've got the GTForce wheel already, but even so it may not feel right.

What the home version needs is a 'Keepsies' mode like Micro Machines V3. 2 player duels would become all the more important if my beloved RX-7 was at stake if I lost.

[Chief H]

gozaimas: look carefully at some of the corners on akina, particularly the hairpins. you'll see a thick, dark grey line on the inside and outside of the track which are the gutters which can help you corner (and maybe drain some water while they're at it, natch). The theory is that by planting one of your wheels into it you can use it like a rail track to pull your car tightly round the corner without losing much speed. In the anime, Takumi and Bunta talk of entry-orientated guttering as well as exit orientated guttering (using gutters on the outside of the corner before you turn to help you as well). All you need to know for now is that you want to plant yourself in those gutters when you take a tight corner. You'll feel the steering wheel jolt and rumble when you hit a gutter.

I can't really give too much advice - it's a technique i'm trying to learn myself as well at the moment, but i wouldn't try to force it. instead of actively aiming for the gutter, try to drive normally, but getting closer and closer to the inside line of the corner. Guttering will happen quite naturally then. Ita's still all about practise and ???s though.



The one worry I have about the home port is that half of the magic for me is the cab. I don't get to play that often and when I do it's only ever ?1-3 at a time, a couple times a week. It's this play restriction that makes each individual game even more thrilling and adds a value to the points i earn and the times that i set. I'm concerned that maybe that will be lost with unlimited plays but I guess others of you may not notice that effect so much (you guys sound like you play ID a hell of a lot more than me, at any rate).

I thought playing for cars would be quite common in ID at first until I realised how attached you can become to one car and how good it feels to become proficient with just one vehicle. And the fact that i've put about ?50 into my 86 now.

I would peep a caper at the tourney but i really think sundays ought to be for revising. exams in 3 weeks 'n' all. after exams....that'll be the time for ID!

Zerorisk: is it worth looking out for you? I'll be round Goodge street this afternoon.

I guess it's proximity of Goodge Street tube gave the establishment its name but I was confused by it at first too (and why is Goodge Street tube not on Goodge Street either?!?!? So many questions! What is the meaning of life?). Spent ages walking up and down goodge street looking for it until someone pointed out to me that it was by the church of scientology. for some reason that made things much clearer.

By the way, is there a time attack challenge in the online forum? i think it's abvout time there was one

[dgnr7982]

Just out of interest whats Initial D like on the Saturn?

[Chief H]

I wish I knew. Initial D on the GBA, incidentally, is a good laugh. Plays out more like an RPG than a racer and so isn't quite as gripping but still good fun on the go

[ZeroRisk]

Zerorisk: is it worth looking out for you? I'll be round Goodge street this afternoon.

It is. What time will you be down there?

I dunno what you look like though. You'll have seen my ugly mug on the Meetup pictures though. lol

[Chief H]

anytime really. I've just finished work for the day so I'm jus' chilling back home at the moment. might pop a ? or two in now and then maybe return later on. I really ought to have better things to do though. Like revision. But this is Initial D!

Big lad. Dark, short(ish) hair, that's me. I'll put on a red t-shirt with blue kanji on it. that ought to make me pretty noticable. I'm assuming you may be there for a while with your ?30 on the cab shelf?! That meetup pic has me in fear of the punishment you can deal in a videogame - you certainly look to be dishing it out with the ol' tekki, there

[Chief H]

Gah. From what was once a lowly improving, promising street racer, I have now degenerated into a thoroughly average driver. The 5 week gap in play has hurt me so bad - can't get close to my times and i almost got beaten by bunta today.

Disgusted with my performance I was tempted into trying Battle Gear 3 out for size. Not a bad game, must admit. It's interesting to play Akina downhill under a completely different interpretation though. Flat out corners become brake and possibly even handbrake corners. Good fun for a change. Might look into the (all too expensive) Key NESYS system...

[ridgeracer]

Hey u lot!

Just went down t the NAMCO Stattion in the Trafford Centre, Manchester and droped about ?20 in the machine.

I went for the RX7 and tuning type C (whats the diffrence in tuning types???). While I was there some guy came on who gave the computer a mincing in a RX7 and was quite good (at this point I had only had about 3 goes and must have looked pretty **** at it... .) Any way the drivers name was 'midge' and if you post here hi, I was in the blue top with blue hat...

Anyway after me session (and becoming quite sweaty!!) I feel I really enjoyed myself something which ha not happened since I used to play people at Tekken 3/4.

2 questions though

1. Is it better to use Manual gears as apossed to Auto?

2. Where can I get the DVD box set ( but in English - subtitles)?

Thanks and if anyone uses the Namco Station let meknow and I can kick your ass!!

[C']

Hey u lot!

Just went down t the NAMCO Stattion in the Trafford Centre, Manchester and droped about ?20 in the machine.

I went for the RX7 and tuning type C (whats the diffrence in tuning types???). While I was there some guy came on who gave the computer a mincing in a RX7 and was quite good (at this point I had only had about 3 goes and must have looked pretty **** at it... .) Any way the drivers name was 'midge' and if you post here hi, I was in the blue top with blue hat...

Anyway after me session (and becoming quite sweaty!!) I feel I really enjoyed myself something which ha not happened since I used to play people at Tekken 3/4.

2 questions though

1. Is it better to use Manual gears as apossed to Auto?

2. Where can I get the DVD box set ( but in English - subtitles)?

Thanks and if anyone uses the Namco Station let meknow and I can kick your ass!!

Sorry mate. I meant to get back to you about meeting up today. I was actually there from about 4pm (before going to see X-Men 2) with a few mates. May have been after you left though.

You planning on being there again this weekend?

[ridgeracer]

Hey u lot!

Just went down t the NAMCO Stattion in the Trafford Centre, Manchester and droped about ?20 in the machine.

I went for the RX7 and tuning type C (whats the diffrence in tuning types???). While I was there some guy came on who gave the computer a mincing in a RX7 and was quite good (at this point I had only had about 3 goes and must have looked pretty **** at it... .) Any way the drivers name was 'midge' and if you post here hi, I was in the blue top with blue hat...

Anyway after me session (and becoming quite sweaty!!) I feel I really enjoyed myself something which ha not happened since I used to play people at Tekken 3/4.

2 questions though

1. Is it better to use Manual gears as apossed to Auto?

2. Where can I get the DVD box set ( but in English - subtitles)?

Thanks and if anyone uses the Namco Station let meknow and I can kick your ass!!

Sorry mate. I meant to get back to you about meeting up today. I was actually there from about 4pm (before going to see X-Men 2) with a few mates. May have been after you left though.

You planning on being there again this weekend?

Yeah planning on another trip 2moro about 1ish.


PM me if yoou fancy getting beat!!!

(or not)

[Excelsior]

I went for the RX7 and tuning type C (whats the diffrence in tuning types???).


2 questions though

1. Is it better to use Manual gears as apossed to Auto?

2. Where can I get the DVD box set ( but in English - subtitles)?

more like 3 questions

Tuning options don't differ that much, just thing's like acceleration, handling and how fast you can go on corners (that sounds stupid but i've seen other people answer before on IDAS forums so Im just repeating what i remember)

Manuel is MUCH better than Auto. However if you get good you're good. I can beat near enough most people at my local on my Auto I'd bet.
You should learn the game with Manual first I'd say. Plus you also get the start boost if you shift correctly - straight to third, not 2nd.

Get the DVD Boxsets from ebay. They're bootlegs but very high quality you won't be dissapointed. Good price for such goodness.

If you wait for the American release they're being changed with the americanised names and the eurobeat music - essential to the "feel" of initial D is replaced by some stupid Rap/punk crap

[ridgeracer]

I went for the RX7 and tuning type C (whats the diffrence in tuning types???).


2 questions though

1. Is it better to use Manual gears as apossed to Auto?

2. Where can I get the DVD box set ( but in English - subtitles)?

more like 3 questions

Tuning options don't differ that much, just thing's like acceleration, handling and how fast you can go on corners (that sounds stupid but i've seen other people answer before on IDAS forums so Im just repeating what i remember)

Manuel is MUCH better than Auto. However if you get good you're good. I can beat near enough most people at my local on my Auto I'd bet.
You should learn the game with Manual first I'd say. Plus you also get the start boost if you shift correctly - straight to third, not 2nd.

Get the DVD Boxsets from ebay. They're bootlegs but very high quality you won't be dissapointed. Good price for such goodness.

If you wait for the American release they're being changed with the americanised names and the eurobeat music - essential to the "feel" of initial D is replaced by some stupid Rap/punk crap

Thanks mate alought still a little unsure about how I know if the quality of the DVDs are any good.

I never use Ebay so.....

Any other places? ( I dont mind paying more)

[moosedeer]

ill have a look i cant remember where i got mine from but ill see if i can find out for you whatever you do though just dont buy the american version i found my self not knowing what was going on because id got used to the other names couldnt work out who they where talking about and stuff lol and the music sucks in comparison any way(i dont like the music in the original but it goes so well with it) ill have to get back to you on the place to buy them but have you tryed yesasia.com?they might have it

[moosedeer]

I just found this site it isnt the site i used but looks cheap dunno if there legit or anything as ive never used them still cant find were i got mine from.

http://www.anime-dvd-movies.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.details&product_id=1817