Genre: 3D Racing CDs: 1 (364 Megs) Players: 1 ESRB: Kids to Adults
No Descriptors.
Publisher: Sega Retail Barcode: 0 10086 81200 8 Memory: None
Developer: Sega Sega ID: 81200 Accessories: Arcade Racer
Released: May 1995 On PlayStation? No
 

Box Copy
Sega Saturn's smooth 3D Texture mapped graphics create high-speed, bumper to bumper racing. Realistic stock car control with drafting, controlled braking, 4 wheel drifts and skillful acceleration. Punishing end over end crashes let you know you blew it. CD quality sound recreates the engine noise and thunder of real stock cars. 3 Challenging tracks demand total control & intense concentration. 4 dynamic driving perspectives.

Discussion
The launch racing game from Sega. Based off of the AM2 hardware, the game sadly hasn't aged well.

You choose an Automatic or Manual Stick stock car, and then choose between three tracks, all varying in difficulty and course length. Depending on the race, you can have anywhere from 20 to 40 competitors.

Daytona's Saturn control set-up is pretty straight forward, and you can use the Arcade Wheel to give you that extra little push. As usual, the music is awesome and cheesy at the same time. Where the game hasn't aged well is in the graphics. You can look past the terrible graininess in the textures; it's the horrific pop-up that takes place ahead of you. In most areas, if there is a large embankment turn coming, the track will not be drawn into place until you're just on top of it. Frame rate also seems to choke a small amount in some spots.

Unlike it's main rival, the amazing PSX Ridge Racer, Daytona USA's original version just doesn't cut it anymore. It's a short, shallow game, even for an arcade racer. Needed only by the nostalgic or complete set collectors.

Trivia
  • Variant, see below.
     
  • Daytona USA was eventually re-released as Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition, with new features and some glitch / graphic tweaks. THAT version was then re-released with Net-Link options available to it, via mail-order only.
     
  • There are codes available to earn different cars, unlock a horse, and different lap modes (Mirror, etc).
     
  • Toss the disc into your PC and listen to the soundtrack. DAYTOOOONAAAAAAAAAAAA! :D

Variants / Misprints:
The only variant is the 3 Free Games pack-in. Same ID and everything.
Daytona USA - 3 Free Games Pack Variant:
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