Shutokou Battle series

[Johnny]

Recently bought Shutokou Battle PSP off these very forums and I'm tempted to say it's the best fiver I've ever spent. Just as I put loads and loads of hours into Shutokou Battle X on 360, I have found myself completely addicted to this one too.

So, I'm looking to get into the series more. The only games/spin-offs of the series I have played are the 2 mentioned above as well as Kaido Battle 2 and Wangan Midnight on PS2.

I've heard good things about the DC game, but what else in the series is worth owning? What's the best PS2 game? Should I look for the older SFC games or wait to see if they end up on the JP VC?

Thanks for any help

[sj33]

I think there were 2 Dreamcast games, released in the west as Tokyo Xtreme Racer, fyi!

[Fumasu]

I found the PSP incarnation so slow it's unplayable. Love the DC and PS2 versions though (esp. TXR3, can play that game for days)

[Commander Marklar]

SB0 is the same as SB2 (or Tokyo Highway Challenge 2) on the Dreamcast. SB01 on the PS2 was something else, a newer title (there's a review on some site or other... ) with force-feedback thrown in, new cars and some new ideas. Not so much traffic though beyond yellow trucks which is bizarre as SB2 has proper trucks in and everything and is certainly my favourite of the series. Hmm. SB0 got a PAL release too, IIRC.

[dvdx2]

I have them all and SB0 is a 'jazzed up' version of 2 on the DC, with more music and cars. Both versions are excellent (the DC version looks sweet via VGA). Shutokou 01 isnt great though and the handling is dreadful. The first Shutokou on the DC is nice , but rather basic. I would say the best for me - its between 0 and the 360 version. Shutokou 2 (DC) follows very closely. I wouldn't bother with the SFC versions. The Jap ps1 has a version which isnt too bad.

[EvilBoris]

There was one that got released on PAL PS2 budget with hideous boxart and a totally different name. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called though.

It had a really crappy cartoon car on the front and the background was bright orange.

[JazzFunk]

Is there a full list of the PS2 PAL budget Jap drift racers? I like to buy quality on the cheap, but there's so many of the buggers you don't know what you're getting.

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

I think the only ones that got a PAL release are:

2 Kaido games
SB0
Battle Gear 2
Touge 3

[MikeRox]

Yeah, I'd definately say the Structure on Shutokou Battle Zero is far superior to the 2nd Dreamcast iteration, I've spent more time on the the original DC launch title though (was a PAL launch title and a bloody good one at that!) definately has the best music in the series for me, a very big nod towards Initial D imo, very cheesy, eurobeat style stuff.

Still my fave in the series anyway. The game is just so addictive with knocking one more blue flashing spec off the map and getting that extra 500 credits to be able to buy that next engine upgrade or whatever.

The best budget racer I've come across so far on PS2 has been Tokyo Road Race, which is basically Battle Gear 2, has NTSC mode and everything thought though the graphics are very basic by todays standards but you can pick it up for under a fiver now pretty easily, so it's really worth a look if you havn't already.

[Johnny]

definately has the best music in the series for me, a very big nod towards Initial D imo, very cheesy, eurobeat style stuff.

Is this Zero or the first DC one you're talking about?

[dvdx2]

0 has the best music IMO, closely followed by the DC version 2

*shameless plug*

I have the soundtrack of Zero for sale if anyone is interested.

?10 delivered