Virtua Racing
Polygons at full speed and a button to switch cameras mid-corner.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1992
- Manufacturer
- Sega
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Racing
- Decade
- '90s arcade games
Virtua Racing was the game that made the whole arcade turn around and stare: open-wheel race cars and tracks built out of polygons, moving with a smoothness that seemed impossible in 1992. Sega was showing everyone the future of racing games.
Sliding into the seat, gripping the wheel and feeling it kick back in the turns was something no home console could give you back then.
History
Sega's AM2 team built it on the Model 1 board, the same hardware that would soon power Virtua Fighter. It was one of the first racing games with full 3D polygon graphics.
Its success led to home versions, including a Sega Genesis cartridge with an extra chip inside just to push the polygons.
How to play
You drive a formula-style car with a wheel, gas, brake and a two-speed shifter. Hit the checkpoints before time runs out and pass as many rivals as you can.
The camera buttons switch between four views, from the cockpit to a far chase cam. There are three tracks of rising difficulty, and pit stops show your crew working on the car in a much-loved animation.
Fun facts
- You can switch between four camera views mid-race.
- It shared its Model 1 hardware with the first Virtua Fighter.
- The Sega Genesis version packed an extra chip inside the cartridge.
In the arcade
Virtua Racing is coming soon to UsuArcade. It's on our wishlist, and you can vote with I Want to Play It to get it here sooner.
In the meantime, take the convertible out in Out Run, lean into the curves of Hang-On, or tear through Rally-X's mazes dodging the red cars.
Once Virtua Racing lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play Virtua Racing on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wishlist, so vote with I Want to Play It, and try Out Run or Hang-On meanwhile.
What year did Virtua Racing come out?
1992, from Sega.
How many players is Virtua Racing?
Each seat is for one driver, but arcades often had twin or linked cabinets so friends could race at the same time.
What made Virtua Racing special?
It was one of the first racing games with full 3D polygon graphics, and you could switch camera views with a button.
