Battle Gear 4

Infobox VG
title = Battle Gear 4


developer = Taito
publisher = Taito
released = July 2005
genre = Racing
modes = Single player, multiplayer (within shop)
platforms = Arcade
cabinet = Sit Down
arcade system = Taito Type X
display = LCD monitor (BG4T Pro)
input = Steering wheel, gear shift, hand brake, pedals

Battle Gear 4 is an arcade racing game by Taito Corporation released in July 2005. It is the fifth product of the Battle Gear series. In 2006 the cabinets have then been updated to the Battle Gear 4 Tuned specification, which contains more cars, courses, and a new game mode.

ystem

The game runs on the Taito Type X motherboard, and has capability of connecting to the Internet. The typical controls include the gas and brake pedals, a steering wheel, a + / - shifting stick, and a handbrake. A "Nitrous switch" is available as well, which triggers either the Nitrous Oxide system on tuned NA cars, or an overboost function on tuned cars utilizing forced induciton. Both boosts in engine power come at the cost of reduced handling. A newer variant of the cabinet Battle Gear 4 Tuned Professional Version, sports a further clutch pedal, and an H-shaped gearbox control. They are used together to simulate full manual shifting. The professional version was released in November 2006.

The Type X motherboard has a function to connect to the Internet. This allows the machine to access time attack records and similar information online, and to upload the new records. When coupled with the NESYS network entry key (sold separately), the key users can have their cars "downloaded" from the virtual garage, and used during the play. The BG4 entry keys are not compatible with the BG3 series entry keys. Subsequently, any rewards that a player gained are uploaded onto the server (if the player uses the entry key and the machine is connected). The player can connect to the BG4 garage, and perform extensive modifications to the car.

Changes from BG3

When compared to the Battle Gear 3, there are certain features changed in this game.
*The addition of European models (for example, Volkswagen Golf and Renault Clio (Lutecia) V6) and the European stages (with notable examples of the Monaco track and Monte Carlo Rally) representing a departure from Initial D.
*The "Takumi Mode" in Battle Gear 3 is removed. Instead, a severe speed penalty is implemented into the system, forcing the player to use the brakes.
*A more extensive tuning system is available to the key users. Instead of simply modding the external parts, the performance hardwares are available as well this time. These can be performed in the online virtual garage.
*A player can also activate the "Garage Extension" functions. This includes the benefit of having a team, customizing decals, vinyls and setting names and such. This costs 300 yen per month.

Gameplay

There are at least 5 options of gameplay, in Battle Gear 4 Tuned.
#Event race. From time to time Taito announces special races that are restricted to tuned cars. Each key is only allowed to participate once in each event race. Players attempt to set the best time (or drift point record in drift mode) to compete against other players.
#Race mode allows players to race various level of opponents on different tracks. The game defaults the opponents' skill levels from 1 to 10, but it can be extended to level 98. Levels over 10 can only be unlocked by beating the previous level of opponents.
#Drift mode is the new add-on in BG4 Tuned. In this mode, the player drifts his car around the corners, attempting to gain the maximum amount of points. The time is not recorded on the machine, but the drift points.
#One make race is similar to the race mode, but the opponents appear with the exactly same car as the player.
#Time attack is the final mode of the game, where the player attempts to set the best time competing against the ghost car.
#Battle mode pits the drivers against each other. This extra mode can only be selected when there are more than one entrants joins the game, up to 4 players if 4 cabinets are available.

The game displays the result (after a game finishes) to a keyless player, and the additional title and awarded BG (battle gold, the virtual dollars in game) to the player using a key. Information are uploaded to the server, and the player can access the BG later on, provided that the machine is online.

Tuning System

Any player having the entry key can register an online garage account at the Taito website. This entitles the player to an extensive modification system that allows the player to customize his ride. Different from BG3, the player can now not only purchase external parts but also purchase performance parts. The "money" is calculated as battle gold, mentioned above.

As for the parts, a player can purchase upgrades for the engine, mufflers, transmission, suspension, tyres and aerodynamic parts. One can also tweak the look of the car with custom (and enlarged) wheels, gauges and decals.

Depending on the car model, engine swaps are possible. This may range from a variant with forced induction (mounted with a supercharger or turbocharger), to swapping an entirely different engine. For example, the Nissan 350Z can have the V6 engine swapped with an RB26DETT machine found in the Skyline GT-R or a VK45DE from the Infiniti Q45. Furthermore, some cars can accept parts from a racing version of it. For example, one can swap in the Ford Focus WRC's AWD drivetrain and engine into the Ford Focus ST170.

List of Tracks

The online version of Battle Gear 4 has 23 tracks available to the players. All tracks available in the reverse direction
# Super Novice (resembles the Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
# Super Novice B (High speed street track, feature Yokohama Bay Bridge, based on the Bayshore route of Shuto Expressway, Japan.
# Novice (resembles Itsukushima, Japan)
# Novice B (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Beginner")
# Novice C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Beginner", tweaked)
# Novice D (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Beginner B")
# Intermediate (resembles Mount Aso, Japan)
# Intermediate B (resembles Streets of Willow Springs, USA) or Odaiba
# Intermediate C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Intermediate", resembles Hakone)
# Intermediate D (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Intermediate B", a mixed course with dirt and tarmac roads)
# Advanced (The Circuit de Monaco)
# Advanced B (A snow course)
# Advanced C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Advanced")
# Advanced D (Battle Gear 3 "Advanced B")
# Super Advanced (Mt. Myogi, Japan. A sprint race that resembles Touge)
# Super Advanced B (A rally Super-special stage)
# Super Advanced C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Ace")
# Super Advanced D (A racetrack with various elements mimicking the Suzuka Circuit)
# Dreadnought (Mt. Akina, a track featured in Initial D)
# Dreadnought B (Mt. Akagi, also featured in Initial D as well)
# Super Dreadnought (Part of Turini, a Special Stage in Monte Carlo Rally)
# Super Dreadnought B (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Super Dreadnought", based on the Happogahara touge)
# Super Dreadnought C (Battle Gear 3 Tuned "Super Dreadnought B" ) , Based on a Touge located at Hakone, Kanagawa

Cars

Cars are divided into 5 classes, class S, A, B, C, D. Below is a brief list of cars, grouped into sections.

Normal Cars

"Normal" cars are cars that featured in the game, sans any special decals and such.

Class S

* Any cars below, with performance parts installed and tuned regardless of the original level and the degree of modification.

Class A

Cars that clock 270-280 horsepower, the maximum available for a stock car in Japan. Vehicles in this category include:
*Honda NSX, NSX-R
*Mazda RX-7 FD3S
*Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (4 variants, including Evo. III, Evo. IV, Evo. IX and Evo. IX MR)
*Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33 and R34)
*Nissan Fairlady Z33
*Subaru Impreza WRX STI (including GC8, Impreza GDB and the 06 revised type)
*Subaru Legacy Sedan
*Toyota Supra RZ

Class B

Class B cars generally less powerful than the class A cars, and have around 190 to convert|255|hp. Cars in this category include:
*Honda Accord Euro R
*Honda Integra (2 variants, DC2 and DC5)
*Honda S2000
*Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6)
*Mazda RX-7 FC3S
*Mazda RX-8
*Mitsubishi FTO
*Nissan 180SX
*Nissan Silvia (2 variants, S13 and S15)
*Renault Clio V6
*Toyota Altezza RS200
*Toyota Celica (6th and 7th generation)
*Toyota MR2 GT-S
*Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk V)

Class C

These cars pushes even less power form the engine, but generally easier to handle because of that. They clock around 120-185 horsepower. Cars in this category include:
*Citroën C4
*Citroën Xsara
*Ford Focus ST170
*Honda Civic (2 variants, including Civic Type-R)
*Mazda MX-5 (all 3 generations)
*Mini Cooper
*Peugeot 206
*Suzuki Swift
*Toyota AE86
*Toyota MR-S
*Volkswagen New Beetle

Class D

These are generally light, low-powered cars, and has around 80 to convert|115|hp. Cars in this category include:
*Honda Fit
*Mazda Demio
*Mitsubishi Colt Plus
*Nissan March
*Toyota Vitz
*Toyota Corolla Levin AE85

pecial Cars

Several cars have additional paints, decals, vinyls and parts that can be selected. It usually comes with handling changes unless the car is already customized. Cars that can have special decals and packages are:Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, Ralliart Package:Nissan 350Z Nismo decals:Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 Nismo LM package(Similar to the Le-Man racing R33):Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Nismo package:Subaru Impreza spec C STI package:Toyota Altezza TRD package

In addition, the cars driven by the D1 Grand Prix Top Secret Team driver Youichi Imamura, who Taito sponsor, are also featured in the game, these include the A'PEXi Mazda RX-7 and the ORC Nissan 350Z. Both cars are tuned for drifting.

Is Related To

*Side by Side (Arcade)
*Side by Side Special (PlayStation)
*Side by Side 2 Evoluzione (Arcade)
*Battle Gear 3 (Arcade)
*Tokyo Road Race (PlayStation 2)

External links

* [http://battlegear.net/bg4tuned/index.html Official Website (Japanese)]
* [http://four.battlegear.net/web/pc/ Online Garage (Japanese / English)] , requires an entry key for access.
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/data/926539.html BG4 information on GameFAQs]
* [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bg4&search=Search Player video on YouTube]