ARCADE WATCH
Keeping an eye on the coin-op gaming scene
Another month, another chance for a vintage arcade racer to make an unexpected comeback. This time it’s the turn of Sega’s iconic Daytona USA, as Daytona 3 Championship USA makes its debut at trade show IAAPA 2016. The prospect of getting stuck into a new Daytona is an enticing one, but it’s difficult not to be a bit underwhelmed by a reveal trailer in which it’s almost possible to miss the transition from the original game to the new one. Even so, Daytona 3 certainly looks bright and sharp on the cabinet’s 47in screen, and those skies have never looked bluer. It’s heartening to discover that the game, which runs on PC hardware rather than an entirely bespoke Sega board, builds on the physics and AI of the original’s engine, too.
There are three new tracks to tackle, each taking place at a different time of day, plus remastered versions of the classic lineup. The original cars are back, too, along with that unforgettable theme tune. Up to eight cabinets can be linked together, and each has a marquee screen that can either be used to display in-race highlights or the running order when in the new party mode – added in response to the popularity of venue-organised Daytona tournaments. The surprisingly subdued cabinets also feature cameras meras so that you can enjoy the anguish on your r opponents’ faces es as you leave them behind (or their delight t when you careen into a wall). Following g carefully chosen n location tests, Sega is aiming for a worldwidee release by April. l.