ARCADE WATCH
Keeping an eye on the coin-op gaming scene
Codemasters’ series usually involves denting cars, but it’s the screen that’s been bent out of shape for its arcade debut. The focal point of eyecatching cabinet is a 100-inch curved Hybrid Laser LED Projection display, an alternative to the in-vogue dome screen. The display is complemented by 5.1 surround sound, a force-feedback wheel and seat, and a fully modelled stainless-steel dashboard with working dials, an engine start button and a tunable radio.
The game offers four gameplay modes from the console release: standard racing in the form of Race Off; Knock Out, in which you must stay on a platform while knocking others from it; Rampage, here renamed Demolition, which takes place in an open arena; and the T-boning nightmare of 8-Ball, which becomes Crossroads. There’s also a large selection of cars, 20 in total, taken from an array of classes that includes muscle, pickup, saloon and ‘old-timer’.
Each seat is fitted with a player face camera, the gurning expressions from which are displayed on Showdown TV – two HD displays that sit above the fourplayer setup. also uses Sega’s Sega Scores online portal for bragging rights. The system displays a QR code on the screen at the end of a session, allowing you to scan it with your smartphone. Following the link will allow you to track your rating for specific locations, regions and even cabinets, plus your position on the global leaderboard.