Battle Gear 3
Encyclopedia
is a 2002 arcade online racing game
released by Taito
and based on real Japanese locations such as Hakone and touge
races on board tuned sports cars licensed by famous Japanese makers including Honda
, Toyota and Mazda
. On December 15, 2003, Taito released an updated System 246 version named and featuring seven extra cars including the Mazda RX-8 Type-S (SE3P) and the Nissan 350Z (Z33). Also, four new tracks (the B courses) including a secret one, were added, as well as an exclusive . The Takumi Mode gives the player a finishing time/reduced speed penalty each time the car hits a wall. The purpose of this feature is to offer a more realistic and artistic driving experience dixit the developer himself. This principle was used one year later by Polyphony Digital
in Gran Turismo 4
. By Christmas of the same year, Nextech Entertainment ported
Battle Gear 3 to the PlayStation 2
with an opening CG movie, an exclusive "Event Race" online contest mode and some extras from the updated version, consisting of four cars (D-Class) and two courses (B).
The Battle Gear (BG) franchise has a popular following in Asia due to the continuation of the arcade and PlayStation 1990s series. In late 2002, a PAL version of Battle Gear 2 was licensed by Midas Interactive and published as Tokyo Road Race in Europe and Oceania. Both "Net Ranking" and "Network" modes were removed though. By July 2005, Battle Gear 4 was launched in Japan on Taito's latest 2.5 GHz CPU based Type X+
system board. This new episode introduced official tuned cars such as the Nismo Fairlady S-Tune Z33, Nismo Skyline S-Tune R34 or the Apexi RX-7 FD3S (D1GP'05 version), and even licensed European makers for the very first time.
Unlike Battle Gear 2 including four secret "Old Courses" (旧コース) from the first Battle Gear episode, the updated 2003 version offers six brand new extra "B Courses" (Bコース) instead. Two of them are taken from the domestic version. Compared to Battle Gear 2, Battle Gear 3 Tuned has twice as many vehicles and tracks.
Two editions were released in Japan, a standard version including the Battle Gear Net Entry Key and a Limited Edition (初回限定版) bundled with a Tomica
die-cast
Nissan Skyline
(R34) tuned by Taito original model. The "Net Entry Key" is a secure device manufactured by Nesys and designed with a personal code required to register the Battle Gear Net arena from the game's custom designed arcade cabinet only delivered in Japan
, China
, Hong Kong
, Taiwan
, Australia
and New Zealand
. The key is used to compete in local game centers’ sponsored championships, to upload Best Time records, to unlock car parts and extra cars, and to save the personal tuning settings and custom plate. Once the key is registered, the gamer gets a unique Net ID and its associated password; Both are required to create a "Network Game Profile" savefile on the PlayStation 2 and access the "Main Race" section and its online exclusive contents such as the "Event Race", "Online Time Attack" and "Online Battle Gear" extra game modes.
, Taito developers have focused on graphics and handling. The Battle Gear mode is a multistage checkpoint-based duel versus a CPU (Lv.1~4). The Online Battle Gear allows Asian players to compete with each other in a 1on1 network race.
Battle Gear 3s graphics are realistic 3DCGs packed with high resolution textures and modern visual effects (light sourcing, lens flare, real-time body reflection, water reflection, flying leaves, flying gravel, smoke, rubber track, artistic blur, etc.) rivalling the visuals of higher-production, later racers such as Gran Turismo 4
and Enthusia; the former's video-like "Replay" system being very similar, while the latter's graphics and background animations have been largely inspired by those of Battle Gear 3.
'00 (imitating the original 1999 Battle Gear) with its per car unique realistic on board design is added to the classic "Road" and "Car" views.
Battle Gear courses are located in Japanese lakeside forests (Hakone) and mountain passes known as touge
. Many manga
series are based on touge races, the most famous comic outside Japan being Initial D
with its modified Toyota Sprinter Trueno challenging more powerful machines on nocturnal challenges. In the game, Initial D vehicles are unlockable as S-Class tuned versions, e.g. Takumi's "Sprinter Trueno Mecha Tuned", Itsuki's "Corolla Levin AE85 SR Turbo Tuned" and Takashi's black "Skyline GT-R R32 Tuned".
Various daytime and season conditions are available for race. Eight different courses are selectable in both normal (順走) and reverse, (逆走) or climbhill/downhill sides from the nocturnal real shutokou
inspired urban oval to the lakeside Hakone course, to the traditional touge
narrow single track mountain road to the bamboo
plantation dirt course.
The game focuses on realism and requires for actual real-life driving techniques to be incorporated in order to be successful, unlike other games such as Initial D Arcade Stage
or Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune where players may not need to use the brakes.
The "Event Race" online mode was specially created for the domestic version. Various exhibition events were scheduled from January up to July 2004. These Event Races named "Class-D~A Cup", "Maker Cup #1~6" or even "Holiday Cup #1~8", were basically daily single race best time (Ghost) contests with the usual restrictions such as course side, and car class or model. Some event races were different like the two 3-round based GT300/500 "Battle Gear Grand Prix" or the seven days "Golden Week Cup" all-class open. Another exception was the "Battle Gear Rally" with its specific six SS courses competition including both tarmac and dirt stages. "Exciting Driver" special awards were given on each race to the most spectacular and skilled gamers and published on the official Net Ranking board.
Battle Gear 2s Ilink multiplayer mode allowing users to connect two PlayStation 2 and play as a local network was replaced by a split-screen 2-player mode. The "Normal Race" mode offers single race versus five CPU controlled similar class cars with a five-level adjustable difficulty from "Very Easy" to "Very Hard". "One Make Race" differs from "Normal Race" with all CPU cars being the same model as the one chosen by the gamer, instead of a random CPU cars selection.
's full-auto no sidebrake-style gameplay, but more of a compromise set somewhere between the all-digital based Kaido Battle series and the elitist clutch based system used in the D1 Grand Prix
series.
Racing game
A racing video game is a genre of video games, either in the first-person or third-person perspective, in which the player partakes in a racing competition with any type of land, air, or sea vehicles. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to entirely fantastical settings...
released by Taito
Taito Corporation
The is a Japanese publisher of video game software and arcade hardware wholly owned by publisher Square Enix. Taito has their headquarters in the Shinjuku Bunka Quint Building in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo, sharing the facility with its parent company....
and based on real Japanese locations such as Hakone and touge
Touge
is a Japanese word literally meaning "pass." It refers to a mountain pass or any of the narrow, winding roads that can be found in and around the mountains of Japan and other geographically similar areas, like the legendary Nordschleife in Germany....
races on board tuned sports cars licensed by famous Japanese makers including Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, Toyota and Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
. On December 15, 2003, Taito released an updated System 246 version named and featuring seven extra cars including the Mazda RX-8 Type-S (SE3P) and the Nissan 350Z (Z33). Also, four new tracks (the B courses) including a secret one, were added, as well as an exclusive . The Takumi Mode gives the player a finishing time/reduced speed penalty each time the car hits a wall. The purpose of this feature is to offer a more realistic and artistic driving experience dixit the developer himself. This principle was used one year later by Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital, Inc. is an internal video game developing company of Sony Computer Entertainment and is part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios...
in Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4
is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
. By Christmas of the same year, Nextech Entertainment ported
Porting
In computer science, porting is the process of adapting software so that an executable program can be created for a computing environment that is different from the one for which it was originally designed...
Battle Gear 3 to the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
with an opening CG movie, an exclusive "Event Race" online contest mode and some extras from the updated version, consisting of four cars (D-Class) and two courses (B).
The Battle Gear (BG) franchise has a popular following in Asia due to the continuation of the arcade and PlayStation 1990s series. In late 2002, a PAL version of Battle Gear 2 was licensed by Midas Interactive and published as Tokyo Road Race in Europe and Oceania. Both "Net Ranking" and "Network" modes were removed though. By July 2005, Battle Gear 4 was launched in Japan on Taito's latest 2.5 GHz CPU based Type X+
Taito Type X
The Taito Type X is an arcade system board released by Taito Corporation in 2004. Based on commodity PC hardware architecture, Type X is not a specification for a single set of hardware, but rather a modular platform supporting multiple hardware configurations with different levels of graphical...
system board. This new episode introduced official tuned cars such as the Nismo Fairlady S-Tune Z33, Nismo Skyline S-Tune R34 or the Apexi RX-7 FD3S (D1GP'05 version), and even licensed European makers for the very first time.
Arcade versions
The car and track selections were both renewed since Battle Gear 2, a number of cars from this episode were simply removed or replaced by later models (e.g. AE111 Levin BZR, CP9A Lancer evo VI, NA1 NSX S-Zero, GC8 Impreza 22B) and others, like the Celica ZZT231, were actually reintroduced the following year in the Arcade "Tuned" update. Battle Gear 3 Tuned was completed by fifteen new car types, the extra cars from the PlayStation 2 version were included, while the remaining eleven were Arcade exclusives.Unlike Battle Gear 2 including four secret "Old Courses" (旧コース) from the first Battle Gear episode, the updated 2003 version offers six brand new extra "B Courses" (Bコース) instead. Two of them are taken from the domestic version. Compared to Battle Gear 2, Battle Gear 3 Tuned has twice as many vehicles and tracks.
Domestic versions
Battle Gear 3 2002 version's audiovisual related features have been improved for the PlayStation 2 (and for the Tuned version). The sound of the engine and new songs (according to the extra courses) were added. Natural sounds such as birds and bugs were introduced. In the other hand, the visual design was all renewed.Two editions were released in Japan, a standard version including the Battle Gear Net Entry Key and a Limited Edition (初回限定版) bundled with a Tomica
Tomica
Tomica is the line of die-cast toy vehicles and related products produced by Takara Tomy Co. of Japan . This is not the same as Tomica World, which is a line of motorized trains and vehicles and accessories that Tomy Co. of Japan has produced since the late 1990s...
die-cast
Die-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
Nissan Skyline
Skyline
A skyline is the overall or partial view of a city's tall buildings and structures consisting of many skyscrapers in front of the sky in the background. It can also be described as the artificial horizon that a city's overall structure creates. Skylines serve as a kind of fingerprint of a city, as...
(R34) tuned by Taito original model. The "Net Entry Key" is a secure device manufactured by Nesys and designed with a personal code required to register the Battle Gear Net arena from the game's custom designed arcade cabinet only delivered in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The key is used to compete in local game centers’ sponsored championships, to upload Best Time records, to unlock car parts and extra cars, and to save the personal tuning settings and custom plate. Once the key is registered, the gamer gets a unique Net ID and its associated password; Both are required to create a "Network Game Profile" savefile on the PlayStation 2 and access the "Main Race" section and its online exclusive contents such as the "Event Race", "Online Time Attack" and "Online Battle Gear" extra game modes.
Battle Gear
As Battle Gear 3 is an arcade oriented driving game in the old tradition of games likes Daytona USADaytona USA (arcade game)
Daytona USA is a 1993 racing video game by Sega. Considered one of the highest grossing arcade games of all time, Daytona USA was Sega's first title to debut on the Sega Model 2 arcade board, and at the time of its 1993 introduction, was considered the most visually detailed 3D arcade racing game...
, Taito developers have focused on graphics and handling. The Battle Gear mode is a multistage checkpoint-based duel versus a CPU (Lv.1~4). The Online Battle Gear allows Asian players to compete with each other in a 1on1 network race.
Battle Gear 3s graphics are realistic 3DCGs packed with high resolution textures and modern visual effects (light sourcing, lens flare, real-time body reflection, water reflection, flying leaves, flying gravel, smoke, rubber track, artistic blur, etc.) rivalling the visuals of higher-production, later racers such as Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4
is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
and Enthusia; the former's video-like "Replay" system being very similar, while the latter's graphics and background animations have been largely inspired by those of Battle Gear 3.
Cars for BG3
Battle Gear 3 uses the Gran Turismo series specific analog steering and Accelerate/Braking system while the Arcade digital button-based system is still available as well. An "Instrument Panel" view comparable to the one also available in Driving Emotion Type-SDriving Emotion Type-S
- Reception :A week after its Japanese release, Driving Emotion Type-S had sold 46,600 copies. The game made a more mediocre start outside of Japan, with only 2,500 copies sold in the United States a week after its North American release...
'00 (imitating the original 1999 Battle Gear) with its per car unique realistic on board design is added to the classic "Road" and "Car" views.
Battle Gear courses are located in Japanese lakeside forests (Hakone) and mountain passes known as touge
Touge
is a Japanese word literally meaning "pass." It refers to a mountain pass or any of the narrow, winding roads that can be found in and around the mountains of Japan and other geographically similar areas, like the legendary Nordschleife in Germany....
. Many manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series are based on touge races, the most famous comic outside Japan being Initial D
Initial D
is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. It has been adapted into a long-running anime series by OB Planning, Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, and A.C.G.T, and a live action film by Avex and Media Asia...
with its modified Toyota Sprinter Trueno challenging more powerful machines on nocturnal challenges. In the game, Initial D vehicles are unlockable as S-Class tuned versions, e.g. Takumi's "Sprinter Trueno Mecha Tuned", Itsuki's "Corolla Levin AE85 SR Turbo Tuned" and Takashi's black "Skyline GT-R R32 Tuned".
Various daytime and season conditions are available for race. Eight different courses are selectable in both normal (順走) and reverse, (逆走) or climbhill/downhill sides from the nocturnal real shutokou
Shuto Expressway
is a network of toll expressways in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is operated and maintained by the .Most routes consist of elevated roadway above other roads or over water, and have many sharp curves which require caution to drive safely...
inspired urban oval to the lakeside Hakone course, to the traditional touge
Touge
is a Japanese word literally meaning "pass." It refers to a mountain pass or any of the narrow, winding roads that can be found in and around the mountains of Japan and other geographically similar areas, like the legendary Nordschleife in Germany....
narrow single track mountain road to the bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
plantation dirt course.
Game Modes Overview (PS2)
The arcade version's network features, namely a "Ghost Data" managing dedicated server and an online duel mode (known as "Battle Gear"), the two of them being limited to Japan and Hong Kong territories were kept for the home version; allowing an online ghost competition between home and game center players.The game focuses on realism and requires for actual real-life driving techniques to be incorporated in order to be successful, unlike other games such as Initial D Arcade Stage
Initial D Arcade Stage
Initial D Arcade Stage is a racing game series developed by Sega Rosso, a division of Sega, based on the anime and manga Initial D...
or Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune where players may not need to use the brakes.
The "Event Race" online mode was specially created for the domestic version. Various exhibition events were scheduled from January up to July 2004. These Event Races named "Class-D~A Cup", "Maker Cup #1~6" or even "Holiday Cup #1~8", were basically daily single race best time (Ghost) contests with the usual restrictions such as course side, and car class or model. Some event races were different like the two 3-round based GT300/500 "Battle Gear Grand Prix" or the seven days "Golden Week Cup" all-class open. Another exception was the "Battle Gear Rally" with its specific six SS courses competition including both tarmac and dirt stages. "Exciting Driver" special awards were given on each race to the most spectacular and skilled gamers and published on the official Net Ranking board.
Battle Gear 2s Ilink multiplayer mode allowing users to connect two PlayStation 2 and play as a local network was replaced by a split-screen 2-player mode. The "Normal Race" mode offers single race versus five CPU controlled similar class cars with a five-level adjustable difficulty from "Very Easy" to "Very Hard". "One Make Race" differs from "Normal Race" with all CPU cars being the same model as the one chosen by the gamer, instead of a random CPU cars selection.
My garage customize (Dress up)
As an arcade game, Battle Gear 3 doesn't offer any car settings nor upgrading based tuning complex system like the Gran Turismo series; instead Taito has elaborated a Dress Up Customize feature. Tuning parts are only cosmetic changes, neither altering the car's weight nor maneuverability. Upgraded machines are only available in the S-Class and bearing the "Tuned" badge. Some cars have optional dress up modifications such as "Roof Color", "Circuit Aero" and "Works Color". The user may also visit "My Garage" to check his "Time Attack" per-car records or "Select" the car he's going to drive in the "Main Race" section.PS2 controller settings
Battle Gear 3's gameplay is arcade-oriented over the simulation aspect with an intuitive handling and a particular drifting system. Drifting in this game is different compared to similar games like Initial D Special StageInitial D
is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. It has been adapted into a long-running anime series by OB Planning, Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, and A.C.G.T, and a live action film by Avex and Media Asia...
's full-auto no sidebrake-style gameplay, but more of a compromise set somewhere between the all-digital based Kaido Battle series and the elitist clutch based system used in the D1 Grand Prix
D1 Grand Prix
The , abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled Professional Drift, is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Option magazine & Tokyo Auto Salon founder Daijiro Inada, and drifting legend Keiichi Tsuchiya hosted a professional level drifting...
series.
External links
- Battle Gear 3 PS2 homepage
- Battle Gear 3 Tuned homepage - Arcade
- Battle Gear series homepage - BattleGear.net