Sega Rally Championship

Infobox VG
title = Sega Rally Championship


developer = AM5
AM3 (Saturn port)
publisher = Sega
designer = Tetsuya Mizuguchi
engine =
release = 1995
genre = Racing game
modes = Single player, multiplayer
cabinet = Sit-down
display = Raster, standard resolution
horizontal orientation
arcade system = Sega Model 2
platforms = Arcade, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, PC, N-Gage, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2
input = Steering wheel

"Sega Rally Championship" is a 1995 arcade racing game developed by AM5 [ [http://www.system16.com/sega_developers.php#am5 Sega Arcade Developers] ] on the Sega Model 2 board. It was later ported over to the Sega Saturn (by AM3) and PC.The unique selling point of "Sega Rally" was the ability to drive on different surfaces (including asphalt, gravel and mud), with different friction properties, with the car's handling changing accordingly.

Another interesting feature is that the player can enter a "World Championship" mode consisting of three stages (Desert, Forest and Mountain) where their finishing position at the end of one course is carried through to the starting position of the next course. In this mode, it is impossible to reach first place position by the end of the first track, thus the player must try to overtake as many opponent cars as possible on each track (while staying within the time limit), and gain the lead over several tracks. If, at the end of the third round, the player is in first place, they are able to play a fourth secret circuit called "Lakeside" (on the Saturn version, this course may then be played in time attack and split-screen multiplayer modes).

Two cars are featured in the game: the Toyota Celica GT-Four and the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. There is also a hidden car, the Lancia Stratos. The Stratos is only unlocked if the extra Lakeside track is completed in first place; then it may be used in any of the game's modes (championship, time attack and split-screen multiplayer). For the arcade machine, hold down the brake pedal while inserting credits, select "Championship" then highlight your car (but do not select it), run 1-2-3-4 through the gears, select your car then release the brake pedal.
Codemasters have cited "Sega Rally" as a strong influence on their first "Colin McRae Rally" game.

Trivia

Sega Rally Championship was also known for its rather uncommon Game Over theme, literally a man (Sega composer Takenobu Mitsuyoshi) singing "Game Over.... YEAHHHH!!" after the race was finished. It is a pop culture reference. In the last Sega Saturn Magazine issue nr.37 on p.90 there is an official Sega Rally Picture with the caption "Game Over Yeah!!!" referring to the cancelling of the Magazine. It has also been parodied in the viral video " [http://www.heavy.com/video/566 PSA12] " created by Fensler Films. [http://www.shuri-ken.com/ Kenneth Ibrahim] , who worked in Mizuguchi-san's AM3 "Joukan Design" group and later in AM3's game software tools group, provided the voice of the game (Navigator, idle announcements, etc.) except for the "3, 2, 1, Go!" at the start which was voiced by "Jeffrey" (Jeff Buchanan) of AM2 Virtua Fighter fame. Ken is also credited for having written the original lyrics to the theme track on the Rally music CD that was later released based on the popularity of the game.

It is seen by the general consensus of players that the Lancia Stratos is not a fitting reward for completing the difficult Lakeside track, due to its difficult handling and only a small speed increase. Despite this, it is essential to get the best time, as the current records for tracks such as Desert have knocked supposedly good times with cars such as the Lancia Delta by several seconds.

References

External links

* [http://www.sega.com/support/support.php?item=support_games#pc Download PC demo at Sega.com]
*moby game|id=/sega-rally-championship|name="Sega Rally Championship"