Virtua Racing Deluxe

Virtua Racing Deluxe was a launch title for the 32X and, at the same time, the best possible demonstration of why the add-on existed at all. An arcade car race built on full polygons instead of sprite-scaling tricks moved over here in an expanded form: alongside the original tracks, new circuits were added, and besides formula cars you can now choose other vehicle types, which changes handling on the track as well as the optimal racing line. The driving model stays arcade-like, but not simplistic — braking before a corner pays off, you can feed the throttle gradually through a bend, and the difference between the ideal line and a sloppy one shows up on the clock immediately. The track is also less forgiving than you'd expect from an arcade game — clipping the guardrails bleeds off speed so noticeably that a single mistake in the final lap can decide the whole race.

Technically, this is a major deal: on the Mega Drive itself, the original conversion needed a special chip right in the cartridge, whereas on the 32X the polygons are handled by the new pair of processors, and the result runs smoother, in a sharper image, with a richer scene around the track. Several camera views are available, including the cockpit interior and a view from behind the car, so everyone can find their own. The sound relies on engine whine and simple melodies that, in this type of game, tend to set the mood rather than grab attention. Split-screen for two players is among the best things the cartridge offers, because racing a friend for tenths of a second is more fun here than chasing computer opponents.

Reviewers at the time praised the game as proof that the 32X had something to show, while also noting that it was an upgrade of an already-known title rather than a brand-new experience. Its influence mainly rides on its arcade original, which opened the door for polygonal racing into the gaming mainstream. Today, Virtua Racing Deluxe plays surprisingly well: the controls are legible, the races short and clean, and the roughly-hewn cars have a charm that's not so easy to find in later, more realistic games.