F355 Challenge

F355 Challenge
F355 arcade flyer
Developer
PublishersSega
Dreamcast
PlayStation 2
DirectorYu Suzuki
ProducerYu Suzuki
DesignerYoji Kato
ComposerTomoya Koga
PlatformsArcade, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2
Release
July 1999
  • Arcade
    July 1999
    January 2001
    (F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition Arcade)
    • JP: January 2001
    Dreamcast
    • JP: August 3, 2000
    • NA: September 22, 2000
    • EU: October 20, 2000
    PlayStation 2
    • JP: September 26, 2002
    • EU: September 27, 2002
    • NA: September 28, 2002
GenreRacing simulation
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega NAOMI Multiboard

F355 Challenge is a 1999 racing simulation video game developed and published by Sega for arcades. It was developed for the Sega Naomi Multiboard arcade system board and was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 home video game consoles under the names F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa and Ferrari F355 Challenge respectively for both American and European releases. The only model of car featured in the game is the Ferrari F355 Challenge model. Unlike Sega's other arcade racers like Out Run titles, F355 Challenge aimed to be realistic. The game was considered the most accurate simulation of the F355 possible up until that time.

Some versions of the arcade cabinet are noteworthy for having three screens, allowing the player to look through the side windows as they would in a real car. The cabinet itself is composed of four NAOMI units: one for each of the three screens and one to sync them all. The game also allows the player to use an automatic transmission or paddle-shift the gears. It also uses a real-time "Magic Weather" system similar to Shenmue.

Gameplay

Sega F355 Challenge three screen arcade unit

The 1999 arcade version of the game includes six circuits:

In addition, the home console versions of the game include five extra unlockable circuits:

All these circuits can be unlocked by either finishing in certain positions in a certain race or championship, driving over a certain cumulative distance in the game, or by entering a password in a revealable password entry screen. These tracks were also included in the F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition arcade machine, released in 2001.

The Dreamcast home version has link cable play for direct competition, but by January 2006, the online servers and website for F355 Challenge were offline until November 2023 when online component was restored.

Development

The game was announced at E3 2000. Yu Suzuki is a keen Ferrari enthusiast who allegedly used data from his own Ferrari 355 at certain tracks to implement in the game during its development.

The Dreamcast version was published outside Japan by Acclaim Entertainment rather than Sega. According to the German magazine Sega Magazin, this arrangement resulted from Acclaim holding exclusive licensing rights for Ferrari video games.

The game's soundtrack features hard rock music during races. In a retrospective review, GameSpot compared its musical style to that of Sammy Hagar and noted that players could disable the music during gameplay.

In a July 2000 interview, director Yu Suzuki explained that the Dreamcast version of F355 Challenge was intended to offer more content than the original arcade release. He stated that the developers were incorporating features that had been impractical to include in the arcade version, alongside ideas conceived after its completion. Although Suzuki declined to reveal how many circuits would be available, the completed Dreamcast version included five additional unlockable courses.

Reception

Passione Rossa received "generally favorable reviews", while Ferrari F355 Challenge received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Dan Elektro of GamePro's December 2000 issue said of the former, "There will be no in-between when it comes to F355 Challenge – you'll either immerse yourself in truly mastering one of the world's most powerful sports cars, or you'll find this about as much fun as taking your driver's test. If you accept its inherent challenges, F355 will deliver the real deal." 23 issues later, Kilo Watt said of the latter, "What the game lacks in the bells and whistles department, it makes up for in its insane depth. Ferrari fans who enjoy strict racing simulations, have a lot of patience, and enjoy using the control pad versus a racing wheel will get the most out of F355 Challenge." John Gaudiosi of NextGen praised the former's realistic driving physics, AI, the addition of assist programs for inexperienced players, and graphics, but noted the absence of online multiplayer despite the game featuring two-player option.

In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40 for the same console version, and 27 out of 40 for the latter one. Game Machine listed the arcade version in their January 1, 2000 issue as the seventh most-successful dedicated arcade game of the past year in Japan.

European reception was generally positive. British magazine Computer and Video Games awarded F355 Challenge four stars out of five, praising its realism and driving model while noting its demanding nature. French magazine Playmag gave the game 15 out of 20, regarding it as an accomplished racing simulation but emphasising that its difficulty and realistic approach made it better suited to dedicated driving-game enthusiasts than casual players.

German magazine MAN!AC awarded the game 89 out of 100, praising it as an impressive racing simulation both visually and in its gameplay, while cautioning that arcade-racing fans might find its controls too demanding. Spanish magazine Revista Oficial Dreamcast gave the game 9 out of 10, particularly praising its realism, detailed driving model and range of options, while acknowledging its high level of difficulty.

The same arcade version won the award for Coin-op of the Year at the Edge Awards 2000, while Passione Rossa was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual "Best Driving Game" award, which went to Test Drive Le Mans. During the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Passione Rossa for the "Console Racing" award, which ultimately went to SSX.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: F355 チャレンジ, Hepburn: F355 Charenji
  2. ↑ Japanese: フェラーリ F355 チャレンジ, Hepburn: Ferāri F355 Charenji
  3. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Dreamcast version each a score of 7.5/10, 7/10, and 6.5/10.
  4. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Dreamcast version, three critics gave it each a score of 77, 92, and 71.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 5/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version 4/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, and two 3.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition (Japanese Release)". Gamervision. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ "ACCLAIM BRINGS SEGA ENTERPRISES' SMASH ARCADE GAME F355 CHALLENGE: PASSIONE ROSSA HOME". Acclaim Entertainment. September 22, 2000. Archived from the original on August 26, 2004. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Wiley, M (September 19, 2000). "F355 Challenge [Passione Rossa]". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  4. ↑ Hargosh, Todd (December 18, 2000). "Shenmue: Vast World, Vast Game". Game Industry News. Noble Order Press Enterprises Inc. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ "F355 Challenge 2 - International Course Edition". The Arcade Flyer Archive. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  6. ↑ "F355 Challenge for the Sega Dreamcast Now Playable Online Again!". Blast Processing!. December 2023. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Acclaim and Sega Enterprises, Ltd. Reach Distribution Agreement". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. May 11, 2000. Archived from the original on June 12, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via The Free Dictionary.
  8. ↑ Trent, Dan (July 21, 2020). "Sega's F355 Challenge versus ... the real thing". Autoblog. Yahoo. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024. The game's creator, Yu Suzuki, had already put a generation into the driver's seats of Ferraris in the legendary Outrun. His success gave him the means to buy one for real, inspiring a near-obsessional desire to share the joy of driving it with gamers the world over. If Outrun was a bit of cheesy, throwaway fun, though, F355 Challenge was the real deal. Suzuki genuinely wanted you to feel you were at the wheel of a Ferrari. And put his heart and soul into making the experience as authentic as possible, the iconic arcade machine requiring a separate Dreamcast processor for each of its three screens.
  9. ↑ "F355 Challenge". Sega Magazin (in German). No. 82. Computec Verlag. September 2000. p. 6.
  10. ↑ Ajami, Amer (October 2, 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge Review". GameSpot.
  11. ↑ "Yu Suzuki". Dreamcast: Das offizielle Magazin (in German). No. 9. Future Verlag. July 2000. p. 36.
  12. 1 2 "F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Ferrari F355 Challenge". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  14. ↑ Mahood, Andy (September 29, 2000). "F355 Challenge [Passione Rossa]". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on October 25, 2000. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  15. ↑ Edge staff (October 2000). "F355 Challenge [JP Import] (DC)" (PDF). Edge. No. 89. Future Publishing. pp. 90–91. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  16. ↑ Mielke, James "Milkman"; Sewart, Greg; Dudlak, Jonathan (December 2000). "F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 137. Ziff Davis. p. 201. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  17. 1 2 "F355 チャレンジ [ドリームキャスト]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Ferrari F355 Challenge （フェラーリ F355 チャレンジ） [PS2]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  19. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (December 2000). "F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa (DC)". Game Informer. No. 92. FuncoLand. p. 124.
  20. ↑ Kato, Matthew (November 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge". Game Informer. No. 115. FuncoLand. p. 128. Archived from the original on February 24, 2005. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (November 2000). "Ferrari F355 Challenge [sic] (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 11. BPA International. pp. 70–71. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Van Stone, Matt "Kodomo"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (November 2000). "Ferrari F355 Challenge [sic] (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 11. BPA International. p. 22. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  23. ↑ G-Wok (October 2000). "F355 Challenge [Passione Rossa] Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  24. ↑ Ajami, Amer (August 17, 2000). "F355 Challenge [Passione Rossa] Review (DC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 11, 2001. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  25. ↑ Ajami, Amer (October 2, 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  26. ↑ Holy Hand Grenade (October 13, 2000). "F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  27. ↑ Murrin, John (October 20, 2002). "GameSpy: Ferrari F355 Challenge (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  28. ↑ Krause, Kevin (October 8, 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  29. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (September 30, 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  30. 1 2 Gaudiosi, John (January 2001). "F355 Challenge [Passione Rossa]". NextGen. No. 73. Imagine Media. p. 94. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  31. ↑ Davison, John (October 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 61. Ziff Davis. p. 147. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  32. 1 2 "Edge Awards 2000 (Coin-op of the Year)" (PDF). Edge. No. 82. Future plc. March 2000. p. 62. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  33. ↑ Dan Elektro (December 2000). "F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa" (PDF). GamePro. No. 147. IDG. p. 151. Archived from the original on December 22, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  34. ↑ Kilo Watt (November 2002). "Ferrari F355 Challenge" (PDF). GamePro. No. 170. IDG. p. 134. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - 完成品夕イプのTVゲーム機 (Dedicated Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 602. Amusement Press, Inc. January 1, 2000. p. 25.
  36. ↑ "Ferrari 355 Challenge". Computer and Video Games. No. 228. November 2000. p. 81.
  37. ↑ "F355". Playmag (in French). October 2000. p. 63.
  38. ↑ "F355 Challenge". MAN!AC (in German). No. 12/2000. December 2000. p. 76.
  39. ↑ "F355 Challenge". Revista Oficial Dreamcast (in Spanish). November 2000. pp. 52–55.
  40. ↑ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 (Best Driving Game Runners-Up)". GameSpot. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 7, 2001. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Console Racing Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on April 17, 2001. Retrieved June 5, 2022.