Review by: CARLO

First off, I'd like to say that this is my first import title since Bare Knuckle 3 for the Mega Drive.

The game came in one of those new all clear CD jewel cases (you know, the ones with the picture behind the CD). On the back of the jewel case sports the Xband logo, NetLink logo, LinkCable, and the analog controller. Already my mind was thinking "If I get a NetLink, would I be able to play japanese gamers?" (probably not, that would be too good to be true).

On to the game. Yes I have played the original Daytona and I have played the american Daytona CCE. Before I played the jap. version, I heard that it had the original music, as well as the remixes, and the game was a little smoother with less pop-up. I purchased the game for the original music; "how much smoother can it be from the american version?" Well to my surprise the game had all these features plus a lot more, "that's right, more."

The game did have the great original music plus an awesome bonus song called the Daytona Medley (a mix of all the original tracks mixed into one). The japanese version is smoother and has less pop-up (not much better than the american version) but it also is a little faster. You guys already know about the great courses but the japanese version also lets you play all 5 courses in night. That's right, you can play each course with a sunset setting (orange sky), or midnight (dark sky with stars), via a simple code (at the gentlemen start your engines screen, hold X+Y or X+Z). The control is pretty much the same as the American version, although the power slides feel more like the original Daytona, but I could be wrong. After a few races I noticed that the computer controlled cars were a lot more competitive, not faster, but more fierce and aggressive. None of the cars in front of you will move out of your way (except for the cars that you've lapped), if you want that outside lane going into a turn, you have to fight for it. I was pinned against the wall several times by the computer. By far the most advanced AI in any racer that I've played.

Would I buy this game over the american version for the smoother graphics? No, they're not that noticeable. Would I buy this game over the american version for the extras mentioned above? Without a doubt in my mind, yes, yes, and yes. Actually I would of bought it just for the original music (The original music actually helps me get faster lap times, honest. Or is it in my head?). The other extras were nice, and who knows, there could be more extras in that CD.

So the japanese version of Daytona Circuit Edition is by far the best racing game on ANY CONSOLE, that is until AM2s' SuperCar is released using the VF3 upgrade. If Sega of America really wants to sell NetLinks, they should convert this game for the U.S. and pack it in with the NetLink.

Now I gotta find a LinkCable and find someone I can link up with.

By the way, for those of you having trouble finding the game, try The Rage. I picked up my copy for only 59 dollars plus shipping.