Review!

Game Info:

Developer: Publisher: Release: Genre: Cost: Players: Age Rating: Peripherals:
AM2 Acclaim Out Now! Racing £39.99 1-2 3+ VMS, Race Controller, VGA Box, Vibration Pack.

The HARDEST racing game EVER!

"Licenced by Ferrari, with praise for it's fine quality as a complete work of art. Under the supervision of numerous top race drivers, the highest level of realistic control feeling has been achieved.
- Equipped with Assist Functions using an AI, with 6 popular existing circuits.
- Connect to the internet, register your driving data, and get a replay of an 8 player time-attack!
- Full of Dreamcast original features such as the 2 player battle with screen division.


Be warned! This ain't easy!

If you don't know F355 is no standard arcade game. This is the first arcade simulation which relies more on knowing how to drive a Ferrari than jumping in and expecting a normal arcade racer but, there are a few things to help you along the way:
Stability Control- Posture control when conering. Improves control stability.
Traction Control- Transfers the engine's power to the wheels for better traction. Improves control stability.
Anti Lock Brake System- Keeps the tires from locking while braking.
Intelligent Brake System- Automatically brakes before curves or turns. With this function, a beginner can concentrate on steering. It is also useful to learn the braking points on the course.

Since this is a full-on simulation there is only one view and one car which is probably why the game is called Ferrari F355 Challenge so don't expect it to be easy, playing from an outside the car view and don't expect to be driving F350's or F40's or any other kind of Ferrari (apart from the F355 duh!) for that matter.

Game modes

Since this is an arcade conversion it would be stupid to put in just the standard arcade mode and nothing else so AM2 have added new tracks and game modes. Here's a run-down of the game modes:
Arcade- Standard Arcade mode with all the thrills of the arcade original.
Championship- Play through all 6 arcade courses and try for most points.
Single Play- Play one of the Arcade courses with no time limit and if you do well enough you'll get a new course.
Versus Play- Play one of your friends in a head-to-head race.
Network Race- Connect to the net and download a ghost race of other people's ghost cars to compete against. Or upload your own to the net!
Car Setting- Change the car settings for the racing modes.
Driving Data- If you save your driving data you can view how well you done and see how you can improve next time.
Homepage- Visit the F355 Challenge Homepage and compete in the world rankings and visit the webpage.
Options- Change various game settings. eg. Steering, screen and audio, etc.
Save Game- Save your current game.
Load game- Load a previously saved game.
Amazing Graphics!

When you look at F355, 3 words spring to mind, "Oh my God!". This is probably the BEST looking racing game ever! From the amazing intro to the fast paced races this is very detailed and doesn't slowdown at all! This just shows how good the Dreamcast's graphics processing power is! The Ferraris are almost indistinguishable from real life which is quite amazing to say the least. The real tracks such as Suzuka and Motegi, for example, look just like they do in real life! The cars also beautifully relflect the surrounding atmosphere which makes the game even more realistic! The skyscapes are also lovely! This is amazing to look at to say the least. Well you should expect that cos it does come from the same development team that makes the amazing Shenmue! (Shenmue review next month!)
Top 5 cars in F355 Callenge!
1. Red Ferrari F355
2. Yellow Ferrari F355
3. 2 tone Ferrari F355
4. White Ferrari F355
5. Green Ferrari F355


Hear that throaty Ferrari engine! And that... er, 80's soft rock.

The sound effects for the game are also genuine (just like the rest of the game) and those sexy cars sound lovely too. The crashes and bumps are good and the screeches from tirespin are lovely. The music for the game has had quite a bit of a hard time from most mags but, I think some of them are not that bad. It's a far cry from the lovely Offspring and Bad Religion songs in Crazy Taxi but, some songs in F355 are better than others. It's all a matter of taste really.

Very realistic handling! Practice, practice, PRACTICE!!!!

If you thought that Gran Tourismo had realistic handling then prepare to be treated like a child by F355 cos it is so much more realistic it makes Gran Tourismo look like a little childs toy. If this puts you off let me tell you about what's gonna make this easier. The game has 4 assistances (mentioned earlier) that makes life driving a Ferrari F355 easier for you but, if you are ever gonna to really succeed in F355 you'll have to learn how to drive with these assistances off but even this is made easier by the practice modes that uses visual and aural help to get you round those tracks with (relative) ease. Once you have practiced for a while try your hand at the race modes and try to defeat the incredibly hard to beat AI cars.

How long will this last?

You may ask. Well, if you are prepared to put in the hours of practice and don't mind the one view and one car (because it's a simulator) you'll get a rewarding time from the 11 courses. But if you're not interested in putting in the time and effort for it then you shouldn't buy it.

The Game Overall!

A lovely game that is great if you are prepared to put in the effort and time to win races. This is definitely one for the more hardcore gamers. Yu Suzuki has once again done good and now we only have a short time to wait until his next masterpiece, Shenmue!
The Mark!

Graphics 98%
Sound 93%
Playability 95%
Lastability 94%
Overall 95%

Barry the SuperScot


Screenshots courtesy of Acclaim.com and Gamplay.

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