Sega Rally: Back Where it Belongs

When I was a young fella, the ultimate arcade racing game was Sega's Daytona USA.  Unfortunately, I was pretty much rubbish at it, and found myself quickly relegated to the status of Those Who Stand Behind The Player and Watch.  Until one day, a friend of a friend who worked at the local Timezone—provider of arcade fixes for any child willing to hold on to his lunch money until after school—invited us to stay back after closing time.  This friend of a friend took it upon himself to teach me the ways of the Daytona USA Master, until I became one myself.

By that time, the game was pretty old and any self-respecting gamer had moved on to the next big thing. But I still drop in to Timezone every now and then to show the kids how a real man attacks the last corner on the Advanced track.

What was I talking about?  Of course.  Daytona USA's retard brother.

Sega Rally's always been an utter piece of arse in my book, not fit to carry a rainbow flag let alone the heroic colours of the Castrol Celica.  With its sloppy handling and its circuitous tracks, many times did I find myself wondering aloud at why I'd once again clowned myself into sinking yet another dollar into Sega's crack-lined pockets.

It now appears though as if Sega's recent success in the land of the console has enlivened their arcade spirit, with Sega Rally 3 set to hit the arcades in the coming weeks.

And I don't mind saying; it doesn't look half bad.  The unit itself is a fairly unique looking non-brand-specific design, complete with exhaust pipe and diffusers.  As for the game itself?  Can't help you, as it's not out in Australia yet.  But if you really want to know more, you can head over to Arcade Heroes.  Judging by the videos on their site though, I'd say it's time for me to finally hang up my Daytona USA gloves and climb into something a little more... AWD.

[ArcadeHeroes.com videos link]

[ArcadeHeroes.com hands-on impressions]