SEGA Rally - Hands On Preview

1995 was a mixed year for SEGA. With the 32X sowing the seeds of doubt in the once-mighty hardware manufacturer and the Saturn looming ominously on the horizon like a setting sun, one game managed to counter all the negativity and give SEGA fans some much-needed fun. That game should need little explanation. Following the release of Daytona USA, SEGA was rolling on a high in the arcades, at least, when a young designer named Tetsuya Mizuguchi brought powerslides, multiple terrains and "GAME OVER Yeah!!!" to arcades across the globe with SEGA Rally.

Better known nowadays for his work on slightly more obscure musical games such as Lumines and Meteos, SEGA have made the decision to rekindle one of the franchises that the few remaining zealots remain passionately nostalgic about, without the assistance of Mizuguchi-san (thankfully SEGA Rally 2006 never made it out of Japan). Such is the level of commitment that SEGA (post-2001) is placing behind the game that a new Racing Studio has been established in the UK solely to focus on SEGA Rally's return, before turning their attention towards further new titles based around former SEGA classics.

Whilst we wait for the latest look at the next-gen debut of SEGA Rally, a recent build of the PSP version arrived in the office. Without the luxury of next-generation technology to carve its way along the track, the PSP version has been left in the very capable hands of Bugbear Entertainment, better known for their work on Empire Interactive's entertaining FlatOut series.

12 Years On And Still Going Strong

Never let anybody tell you working as a games journalist is hard work. Admittedly the hours are long and the poor games often outnumber the good, but we can't imagine too many offices that have a SEGA Rally arcade unit to kick-start the day. So, with the original SEGA Rally still a permanent fixture in our daily routines, we eagerly took to the PSP version to see whether the re-imagined handheld version can muster the magic that a 12-year old arcade still manages to evoke.

Firstly, like the next-generation version, 21st century SEGA Rally is going to offer a very different game from the original arcade unit and respectable Saturn conversion. To begin with, it's almost disappointing; the series-defining powerslide technique has been toned down into something far more conventional, the wider range of tracks and their layouts don't etch themselves onto your psyche in the same way as Desert, Forest and Mountain did back in 1995, the blaring rock has changed into something far more forgetful...

But, perhaps this is being a little unfair. There's no way SEGA could rely on the five-minute fix that SEGA Rally circa-1995 provided in a significantly more demanding modern market. Yes, it's much more like Colin McRae and every other racer around, but it's still set to provide one of the most exhilarating rides available on the PSP.

Providing the customary assortment of Quick Race, Time Attack and Multiplayer options, the bulk of the game naturally lies with the Championship option. Split between Premier, Modified and Masters categories, each comprising a range of Amateur, Professional, Expert and Final championships to complete. Progress is based around accumulated points, unlocking further tracks and tournaments as you go along. For nostalgic sake alone it's a shame SEGA haven't included an Arcade option, challenging you with one lap on each course to try and climb through the ranks to first by the final track, but perhaps it's only the ageing gamer in us that still finds this structure utterly addictive.

There's certainly nods towards the original, such as the cries of "Easy Right, Maybe", a helicopter flying overhead and the fact this isn't about split-times and shakedowns, but who comes first in a group of six cars on a circuit. Recognising the original arcade's groundbreaking use of terrain variety, SEGA and Bugbear Entertainment have emphasised this aspect with a graphical breakdown of Tarmac, Dirt and Mud for each track and the choice of tyres before each rally to best accommodate this. This choice can be made only at the start of the three-race rally, so it's best to find a favourite or opt for the compound that matches the greatest type.

Game Over Yeah!!!

Despite the increased emphasis on complexities such as tyre compounds, SEGA Rally retains its arcade heritage with a racing experience that is fast and frenzied. Handling seems a lot closer to Colin McRae then old-school SEGA Rally, lacking the outlandish jumps and replacing the brake/accelerate powerslides with cars that literally turn on the spot. Later stages in the game appear to notch up the difficulty with opponents that aren't fixated on the traditional racing line, but ensuring that there's no way for you to pass. Hopefully, there's still work left on the collisions between vehicles, as these feel a little hit-and-miss at this stage despite panel-scratching action being a frequent occurrence.

Although SEGA Rally on the PSP naturally fails to offer any of the next-gen visual splendour provided by the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3, Bugbear Entertainment have nonetheless managed to create a racer that's shaping up to looking rather special. Primarily, the game moves along at a blistering pace, but beneath that lies a surprising amount of detail in the vehicles and environment along with an impressive sense of style running throughout the game. Easily one of the finest looking racers currently in development for the PSP.

Recognising the need for a solid and enjoyable multiplayer match, SEGA Rally is set to include everything the PSP can offer with Ad-Hoc, Infrastructure and Game Share options all evident in this early build. Certainly, SEGA and Bugbear Entertainment should be congratulated for ensuring SEGA Rally will offer everything you need to enjoy the game with friends wherever you are.