A true SEGA arcade classic is now available to play on Xbox One, as Daytona USA joins the console’s backwards compatibility list. The re-release that was initially launched on the Xbox 360 back in 2011 joins the ever growing list of last generation titles to be playable on the latest Microsoft console.
Daytona USA was highly regarded as one of the defining titles of the racing genre when it first arrived in arcades back in the 1990s. With an iconic soundtrack, colourful graphics and addicting gameplay, it took plenty of cash from those desperate to master the NASCAR-inspired racer. Some consider it SEGA’s finest racing title ever, and the success of the original lead to three other titles in the mainline series — though none quite captured the magic of the original.
The racer was primarily developed by SEGA’s AM2 division, which was also responsible for classics like OutRun and Scud Race from the same era. The team is generally hailed as a pioneer of arcade gaming as a result of its ability to get the most out of the hardware used at the time, which is why titles like Daytona USA still look aesthetically great today.
The Xbox Arcade version of the game is pretty much untouched from the original in terms of content. A new coat of paint makes the game shine in High Definition and a special Karaoke mode allows you to drive and sing to your heart’s content. Let’s face it, who can resist joining in on the game’s many fantastically cheesy beats.
Those who already purchased the game on Xbox 360 will be able to download for free. For those yet to try out the game, you can purchase it here.
As we eagerly await the release of the newest entry in the series, the ability to play the Xbox release of the title on this generation’s hardware is more than enough to whet the appetite of those who want to experience the blue, blue skies of Daytona USA.
Gentlemen, start your engines!
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