As a child I was spurred to use manual transmission by '80s/'90s arcade racers in which manual offered a higher top speed as a bonus.
![LOL :lol: :lol:](/wp-content/themes/gtp16/images/smilies/lol.svg?v=3)
I also just learned to enjoy shifting the 4-speeds on games like
Daytona USA,
San Francisco Rush, or
Cruisin' USA. Some games included a clutch pedal, though it usually wasn't required.
The ultimate shift-it-yourself coin-op experience was the deluxe cabinet for
Ferrari F355 Challenge. It had triple screens, the Ferrari V8 shrieking in your ears via surround speakers, and a gated 5-speed shifter with a lockout mechanism that prevented you from shifting if you didn't use the clutch (if it wasn't broken by some oaf before you). It even had assists you could toggle and warning messages for novices who were liable to get in over their heads.
View attachment 341502
As a former arcade employee, I'm positive the cabinet cost as much as a new car and never brought in enough revenue to justify its costly and excessive hardware. It looks like you could get one on eBay today for just $3500, though.
Maybe that will make some of you PC guys feel better about what you've invested into your sim racing setups.