Cyber Speedway (Gran Chaser in Japan) is a 1995 racing video game developed by Nextech and published by Sega for the Sega Saturn.
| Cyber Speedway | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art of Cyber Speedway | |
| Developer(s) | Nextech |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Syd Mead |
| Platform(s) | Saturn |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
The game was originally called Grand Racer, but was renamed to avoid confusion with another early Saturn game, Gale Racer.[2] It is a spiritual sequel to the 1993 computer game CyberRace;[2] the two games share a similar theme, and vehicles designed by Syd Mead.
Regional differences
editThe game has different soundtracks depending on the region: one by Nextech's Kohji Hayama in Japan and Europe,[3] and another by rock band Bygone Dogs in the United States.[4]
Reception
edit| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Next Generation |   [5] |
| Maximum | [6] |
| Sega Saturn Magazine | 68%[1] |
| CD Player | 5/10[7] |
Cyber Speedway received generally mediocre reviews. While critics remarked that the graphics are good[6][1][8] and that the two-player split screen mode is a welcome treat, especially given that the Saturn's flagship racer Daytona USA is single-player only,[1][8] they found fault with the gameplay, particularly the hovercraft handling. Rad Automatic of Sega Saturn Magazine argued that the vehicle's lack of traction is an inaccurate depiction of hovercraft physics,[1] while a reviewer for Maximum felt that the hovercraft concept was a poor one to begin with, since hovercraft handle identically on all surfaces, making for "a predictable, tedious ride."[6] A GamePro critic commented that the game was fun to play but lacked longevity, since all the tracks are easy to master and elements such as the crude cinematics in story mode limit the game's replay appeal.[8]
American magazine Next Generation reviewed the Japanese version as an import, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Gran Chaser is good fun, if not all together great."[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Automatic, Rad (December 1995). "Review: Cyber Speedway". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 2. Emap International Limited. pp. 86–87.
- ^ a b "Grand Chaser". Next Generation. No. 4. Imagine Media. April 1995. p. 65.
- ^ "Gran Chaser". VGMdb. VGMdb.net. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Cyber Speedway". MobyGames. Blue Flame Labs. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Finals". Next Generation. No. 9. Imagine Media. September 1995. p. 89.
- ^ a b c "Maximum Reviews: Cyber Speedway". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 2. Emap International Limited. 1995. p. 147.
- ^ "Cyber Speedway Review". CD Player (in German). January 1996. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c "ProReview: Cyber Speedway". GamePro. No. 85. IDG. October 1995. p. 52.