Flag to Flag/ Super Speed Racing reviews by RobisMarshall
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:50 am
Flag to Flag/Super Speed Racing is perhaps the most underrated Dreamcast racing game, and most under looked Sega racer. I know this is a crazy idea that this simple licensed launch title which has been overshadowed by the likes of Monaco online is the subject of review 21 years after its initial release. Yet here we are in 2020 talking about a game perhaps less then ten people have played in the last 18 months. Flag to Flag launched with our beloved system to mostly positive reviews and when compared to the other open car racer in the launch era, Monaco GP, it was seen as the better alternative. This might be a bold statement as the later has received increased popularity in the era of DreamPi and online gaming, but remember the launch version was an offline only f1 racer with poor control and comparable graphics. Where Flag to Flag wins and Monaco loses though, is in its gameplay. Monaco is a sim game and plays like a sim game which means casual gamers will be mostly frustrated with the controls and gameplay, Flag to Flag however manages to combine arcade gameplay with simulation customization in a way that is entertaining albeit subtle.
Truth be told I’m sure the majority of people who have played Flag to Flag post launch put it in did a race or two lost and never touched it again. I know I did for the first few years of owning it, thinking this sucks no wonder it was only 3 dollars CIB. But get past the arcade mode and into the only other mode out of the box the championship mode, and you will be rewarded with a complex and accessible 19 track trek through the 1998 season of the now defunct CART. If you are a fan of the sport you will recognize every track every car and every racer, be you ignorant of the sport as I you will find tracks you love (Fontana) and hate (Houston) but given 19 tracks to memorize in order to get the best score. If you manage to beat the championship mode you will unlock extra modes and cares depending on how often you beat it. What does it play like you ask, well to be honest it takes some getting used to, F1 cars are not regular cars they don’t drift or slide as do there Daytona counterparts. To get good at flag to flag track memorization and proper braking is key. This may turn people off but for people who give it time will see their efforts rewarded with one of the best championship modes n the DC.
The game has multiple viewpoints two first person showing the wheel and mirrors, but one from within the driver helmet complete with dirt and mud smacks which the driver needs to constantly clean is the best, along with two behind the car views. The wings fly off damage can be the end of your race or you can turn this option off. The customization is insane want it full sim with 100 plus laps sure, want 5% of the game length and race only 5 laps sure. Want to lower your fuel so you can go faster go ahead but you best be prepared to stop at the fully animated pit stops to get refueled. If you run over grass or dirt you will see the effects on your tires as they turn into green steaks. Tires can wear out damage can be ignored this game has options. It can have strategy or be set to easy and just throttle to win its up to you.
So how does it score well in graphics it holds up well, music is generic, but I like that. The sound effects are decent the gameplay has a curve but is fun overall I would say the game is a solid 8. You should play it and finish at least one championship.
8/10
Truth be told I’m sure the majority of people who have played Flag to Flag post launch put it in did a race or two lost and never touched it again. I know I did for the first few years of owning it, thinking this sucks no wonder it was only 3 dollars CIB. But get past the arcade mode and into the only other mode out of the box the championship mode, and you will be rewarded with a complex and accessible 19 track trek through the 1998 season of the now defunct CART. If you are a fan of the sport you will recognize every track every car and every racer, be you ignorant of the sport as I you will find tracks you love (Fontana) and hate (Houston) but given 19 tracks to memorize in order to get the best score. If you manage to beat the championship mode you will unlock extra modes and cares depending on how often you beat it. What does it play like you ask, well to be honest it takes some getting used to, F1 cars are not regular cars they don’t drift or slide as do there Daytona counterparts. To get good at flag to flag track memorization and proper braking is key. This may turn people off but for people who give it time will see their efforts rewarded with one of the best championship modes n the DC.
The game has multiple viewpoints two first person showing the wheel and mirrors, but one from within the driver helmet complete with dirt and mud smacks which the driver needs to constantly clean is the best, along with two behind the car views. The wings fly off damage can be the end of your race or you can turn this option off. The customization is insane want it full sim with 100 plus laps sure, want 5% of the game length and race only 5 laps sure. Want to lower your fuel so you can go faster go ahead but you best be prepared to stop at the fully animated pit stops to get refueled. If you run over grass or dirt you will see the effects on your tires as they turn into green steaks. Tires can wear out damage can be ignored this game has options. It can have strategy or be set to easy and just throttle to win its up to you.
So how does it score well in graphics it holds up well, music is generic, but I like that. The sound effects are decent the gameplay has a curve but is fun overall I would say the game is a solid 8. You should play it and finish at least one championship.
8/10