Genre: Racing / driving
Perspective: 1st-person, Behind view
Gameplay: Arcade, Vehicle simulator
Vehicular: Automobile, Street racing
Published by: Namco Hometek Inc.
Developed by: Namco Limited
Released: 1997
Platform: PlayStation (PSX, PS1)
The third series of famous Namco racing games. While retaining all the charms of the previous options, the new game is distinguished by both unusually large realism and new features. In particular, now you can not only drive along many interesting routes, but also do business - buying and selling cars, etc. Where can I get money for this? On the track, my dear, on the track! It is there, taking prizes, you will earn both a living and a business. Having achieved significant success, you can even develop and use your own brand (logo), under whose banner you can gain more and more victories. There is no doubt that Rage Racer is one of the most elaborate racing games. She is able to attract your attention around the clock!
Firstly, a variety of cars. This is not just external variety - the choice of a car decisively affects the nature of the race. Secondly, by purchasing a car, you can make it truly OWN, giving it many features at its discretion. First you select its color; then call her by your name (the name is displayed on the windshield); supplement the name with the logo of your team (choose it from the existing ones or come up with your own); and then you are already releasing a beast - a car on the track. At the same time, and most importantly, add technical specifications that are appropriate for your driving style.
After each successive victory you get a cash prize. For this money, you can buy another car or improve an existing one. On the path of transformation from the original model (Grade 1) to the final one (Grade 5), each car can turn into a real miracle on wheels! However, no matter how many cars you collect and no matter how they are improved, after finishing the game in the usual Grand Prix (GP) mode, you temporarily lose them and must start Extra GP mode from scratch. Only later, in Time Trial mode, you can again control the machines you fostered.
GP mode requires you to succeed on four tracks first. Once in the top three on each of them, you end up in Class 2 with more difficult opponents. Then you will find even more difficult Classes 3, 4 and 5. After that, in Extra GP mode, there are five more classes (tracks run in the opposite direction). And after that you find yourself in the special, most difficult class Diable Cup, where you fight with the strongest opponents on new miracle machines - Batmobile, Hearse and Devil Car!
Codes
Rearview mirror
If the internal review mode is on during the race, pause (at any time), then press and hold ▲, and then press L1, and the rearview mirror will disappear. Press R1 to return to the game.
Mirror mode
This mode, as it were, increases the number of tracks - all tracks, inscriptions, turns go in the opposite direction - in a mirror image. To take advantage of this trick, select “Race Start” on the “Main Option” screen and then hold L1 + R1 + Select + Start until the race starts. You will immediately notice if the trick works.
Changes to tracks and cars
Press L1 and R1 on the track selection screen and you can change tracks and cars to faster or slower.
Cars changes
Press L2 and R2 on the machine selection screen. You can control the front wheels.
Improving the color palette
To make your team logo more colorful: select 'Customize' on the main options screen, then Design, select any logo or make your own. Now select 'Paint', then press the joystick in any direction so that the cursor is outside the shaded area. Now go to the "color palette", press L1, L2, R1, R2 and Select. If everything is correct, an additional RGB option will appear. These letters indicate the primary colors of the triad: red, green, blue. By mixing these three colors in a certain proportion, you can get any, almost endless palette (that's how it works, for example, color television). By pressing UP and DOWN, you can change the shades, and then by pressing R1 + UP (or DOWN), change the numbers on the box. Now move the cursor to the area you want to paint, press L1, L2, R1, R2 and Select. See the crosshair (as if in a crosshair). While holding the cursor in the staining area, press L1 + R1 in combination with a button in any direction (to smudge the paint).