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Battle Gear 3

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Battle Gear 3
Battle Gear 3 PS2 cover
Developer(s)Taito, Nextech Ent.
Publisher(s)Taito
Designer(s)Taito
ReleaseNovember 2002
December 15, 2003 (Tuned)
December 25, 2003 (PS2)
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Up to 4 players simultaneously
Arcade systemNamco System 246

Battle Gear 3 ([バトル・ギア3] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)) is a November 2002 arcade online racing game released by Taito and based on real Japanese locations such as Hakone and touge races onboard tuned sportscars licensed by famous Japanese makers including Honda, Toyota and Mazda. On December 15, 2003 in video gaming, Taito released an updated System 246 version named Battle Gear 3 Tuned ([バトル・ギア3・チューンド] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)) and featuring seven extra cars including the Mazda RX-8 Type-S (SE3P) and the Nissan 350Z (Z33). Also, four new tracks (the B courses) including a secret one, were added, as well as an exclusive "Takumi Mode" ("匠モード"). The Takumi Mode gives the player a finishing time/reduced speed penalty each time the car hits a wall. The purpose of this revolutionary feature is to offer a more realistic and artistic driving experience dixit the developer himself. This principle was used one year later by Polyphony Digital in Gran Turismo 4.

By Christmas of the same year, Nextech Entertainment ported Battle Gear 3 to the PlayStation 2 with an opening CG movie, an exclusive "Event Race" online contest mode and some extras from the updated version, consisting of four cars (D-Class) and two courses (B).

The BG franchise is popular in Asia as the continuation of the Side By Side ([サイド・バイ・サイド] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)) arcade and PlayStation 90's series. In late 2002 in video gaming, a PAL version of Battle Gear 2 was licensed by Midas Interactive and published as Tokyo Road Race in Europe and Oceania. Both "Net Ranking" and "Network" modes were removed though. By July 2005 in video gaming, Battle Gear 4 was launched in Japan on Taito's latest 2.5 GHz CPU based Type X+ system board. This new episode introduced official tuned cars such as the Nismo Fairlady S-Tune Z33, Nismo Skyline S-Tune R34 or the Apexi RX-7 FD3S (D1GP'05 version), and even licensed European makers for the very first time.

Series Timeline

File:Sideside2000yen.jpg
Side by Side Special
File:Battlegear2cov.jpg
Battle Gear 2 (PS2)

[1996]

[1997]

[1999]

[2000]

[2001]

[2002]

[2003]

[2005]

Arcade Versions

File:Car ma se3p.jpg
RX-8 Type S (SE3P)
File:Course r12 2.jpg
Joukyuu B (上級B)

The car and track selections were both renewed since Battle Gear 2, a number of cars from this episode were simply removed or replaced by later models (e.g. AE111 Levin BZR, CP9A Lancer evo VI, NA1 NSX S-Zero, GC8 Impreza 22B) and others, like the Celica ZZT231, were actually reintroduced the following year in the Arcade "Tuned" update. Battle Gear 3 Tuned was completed by fifteen new car types, the extra cars from the PlayStation 2 version were included, while the remaining eleven were Arcade exclusives.

Unlike Battle Gear 2 including four secret "Old Courses" (旧コース) from the first Battle Gear episode, the updated 2003 version offers six brand new extra "B Courses" (Bコース) instead. Two of them are taken from the domestic version. Anyway, when compared to Battle Gear 2, Battle Gear 3 Tuned's total numbers of available car and track have doubled.

  • Tuned Version's Exclusive Cars (11)
    • MAZDA RX-8 Type S (SE3P) Class-B
    • MITSUBISHI MOTORS Lancer Evolution VIII RS (CT9A) Class-S
    • MITSUBISHI MOTORS Lancer Evolution VIII GSR (CT9A) Class-A
    • MITSUBISHI MOTORS FTO GP Version R (DE3A) Class-B
    • NISSAN Fairlady Z Version ST (Z33) Class-A
    • SUBARU Impreza WRX STi spec C tuned by STi (GDB) Class-S
    • SUBARU Legacy B4 2.0GT spec. B (BL5) Class-A
    • SUBARU Legacy S401 STi Version (BES) Class-A
    • SUBARU Impreza WRX STi spec C Limited (GDB) Class-A
    • TOYOTA Altezza 280T (SXE10) Class-A
    • TOYOTA Celica TRD Sports M (ZZT231) Class-B
  • Tuned Version's Exclusive Courses (4)
    • 初級B normal/reverse (Shokyuu B)
    • 上級B normal/reverse (Joukyuu B)
    • 弩級B downhill/climbhill (Dokyuu B)
    • 超弩級B downhill/climbhill (Chyuu Dokyuu B)

Domestic Versions

File:Car ho gd3.jpg
Fit 1.5T S (GD3)
File:Course r13 1.jpg
Test Course (テスト・コース)

Battle Gear 3 2002 version's audiovisual related features have been improved for the PlayStation 2 (and for the Tuned version). The sound of the engine and new songs -according to the extra courses- were added. Real natural sounds such as birds and bugs were introduced. In the other hand, the visual design was all renewed.

Two editions were released in Japan, a standard version including the "Battle Gear Net Entry Key" and a "Limited Edition" (初回限定版) bundled with a Tomica die-cast Nissan Skyline (R34) tuned by Taito original model. The "Net Entry Key" is a secure device manufactured by Nesys and designed with a personal code required to register the Battle Gear Net arena from the game's custom designed arcade cabinet only delivered in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. The key is used to compete in local game centers sponsored championships, to upload Best Time records, to unlock car parts and extra cars, and to save the personal tuning settings and custom plate. Once the key is registered, the gamer gets a unique Net ID and its associated password; Both are required to create a "Network Game Profile" savefile on the PlayStation 2 and access the "Main Race" section and its online exclusive contents such as the "Event Race", "Online Time Attack" and "Online Battle Gear" extra game modes.

  • PS2 Version's Extra Cars (4)
    • HONDA Fit 1.5T S Package (GD3) Class-D
    • MAZDA Demio Sport (DY5W) Class-D
    • MITSUBISHI MOTORS Colt Sport-X Version (Z27A) Class-D
    • NISSAN March 14s (BK12) Class-D
  • PS2 Version's Extra Courses (2)
    • 中級B normal/reverse (Chyuukyuu B)
    • テスト・コース normal/reverse (Test Course) aka 超上級B normal/reverse (Chyuu Joukyuu B)

Battle Gear

As Battle Gear 3 is an arcade oriented driving game in the old tradition of games likes Daytona USA, Taito developers have focused on graphics and handling.

The Battle Gear mode is a multistage checkpoint-based duel versus a CPU (Lv.1~4). The Online Battle Gear allows Asian players to compete with each other in a 1on1 network race.

Battle Gear 3's graphics are realistic 3DCGs packed with high resolution textures and modern visual effects (light sourcing, lens flare, real-time body reflection, water reflection, flying leef, flying gravel, smoke, rubber track, artistic blur, etc.) rivalizing with higher-production later racers such as Gran Turismo 4 and Enthusia; The first's video-like "Replay" system being very similar, while the latter's graphics and background animations have been largely inspired by those of Battle Gear 3.

In other hand, Battle Gear uses the Gran Turismo series specific analog Steering and Accell/Braking system while the old-fashioned Arcade digital button-based system is still available in the same time. An "Intrument Panel" view comparable to the one also available in Driving Emotion Type-S '00 (imitating the original 1999 Battle Gear) with its per car unique realistic onboard design is added to the classic "Road" and "Car" views.

Battle Gear courses are located in Japanese lakeside forests (Hakone) and mountain passes known as touge. Many manga series are based on touge races, the most famous comic outside Japan being Initial D with its modified Toyota Sprinter Trueno challenging more powerful machines on nocturnal challenges. By the way, famous Initial D cars are unlockable as S-Class tuned versions, e.g. Takumi's "Sprinter Trueno Mecha Tuned", Itsuki's "Corolla Levin AE85 SR Turbo Tuned" and Takashi's black "Skyline GT-R R32 Tuned".

Various daytime and season conditions are available for race. Eight different courses are selectable in both Normal (順走) & Reverse (逆走) or Climbhill/Downhill sides from the nocturnal real shutokou inspired urban oval to the lakeside Hakone course, to the traditional touge narrow single track mountain road to the bamboo plantation dirt course.

Game Modes Overview (PS2)

File:Taito21.jpg
Ghost Viewer (Online)
File:Bg3 06.jpg
Battle Gear (Offline)
File:Bg3 08.jpg
Event Race (Online)

The arcade version's network features, namely a "Ghost Data" managing dedicated server and an online duel mode (known as "Battle Gear"), the two of them being limited to Japan and Hong Kong territories were kept for the home version; Allowing an online Ghost competition between home and game center players.

The "Event Race" online mode was specially created for the domestic version. Various exhibition events were scheduled from January up to July 2004. These Event Races named "Class-D~A Cup", "Maker Cup #1~6" or even "Holiday Cup #1~8", were basically daily single race best time (Ghost) contests with the usual restrictions such as course side, and car class or model. Some event races were different like the two 3-round based GT300/500 "Battle Gear Grand Prix" or the seven days "Golden Week Cup" all-class open. Another exception was the "Battle Gear Rally" with its specific six SS courses competition including both tarmac and dirt stages. "Exciting Driver" special awards were given on each race to the most spectacular and skilled gamers and published on the official Net Ranking board.

Battle Gear 2's Ilink multiplayer mode allowing users to connect two PlayStation 2 and play as a local network was replaced by a splitscreen 2-player mode.

The "Normal Race" mode offers single race versus five CPU controlled similar class cars with a five-level adjustable difficulty from "Very Easy" to "Very Hard". "One Make Race" differs from "Normal Race" with all CPU cars being the same model as the one chosen by the gamer, instead of a random CPU cars selection.

  • QUICK RACE (Offline)
    • Normal Race
      • Normal Race (CPU Lv.1~5)
      • One Make Race (CPU Lv.1~5)
    • Versus Race
  • MAIN RACE (Online/Offline)
    • My Garage
      • Customize
      • Ranking Viewer (Online)
      • Ghost Viewer (Online/Offline)
      • User ID
    • Time Attack
      • Upload Ghost from Memory Card Ghost (Offline)
      • Download Ghost from Battle Gear 3 Server (Online)
      • Without Ghost (Offline)
    • Battle Gear
      • Challenge (Offline Class-S~D CPU Lv.1~4) / (Online 1on1)
    • Event Race (Online)
    • Network Connection
  • OPTION
    • Game Option
    • Network Option

My Garage Customize (Dress up)

As an Arcade game, Battle Gear 3 doesn't offer any car settings nor upgrading based tuning complex system à la Gran Turismo; Instead Taito has elaborated a Dress Up Customize feature. Tuning parts are only cosmetic changes not altering the car's weight nor maneuverability. Actually, upgraded machines are those available in the S-Class and bearing the "Tuned" mention. Some cars like have optional dress up modifications such as "Roof Color", "Circuit Aero" and Works "Color". "My Garage" is also the place where the user can check his "Time Attack" per-car records or "Select" the car he's going to drive in the "Main Race" section.

File:Taito20.jpg
My Garage customize
  • AERO PARTS
    • Bonnet
      • Standard Type
      • Street Aero
      • Racing Aero (carbon)
    • Front Bumper
      • Standard Type
      • Street Aero
      • Racing Aero
    • Sidestep
      • Standard Type
      • Street Aero
      • Racing Aero
    • Rear Bumper
      • Standard Type
      • Street Aero
      • Racing Aero
    • Rear Wing
      • Wing Less
      • Standard Type
      • Street Aero
      • Racing Aero
      • Circuit Aero
    • Side Mirror
      • Standard Type
      • Street Aero
      • Racing Aero
  • BODY COLOR
    • Color 01~14 (including Special paints)
  • ROOF COLOR
    • Color 01~02
  • WHEEL
    • Standard Type
    • 8x1 Circuit Type
    • 5x2 Street Type
    • 6x1 Street Type
    • 7x1 Street Type
    • 6x2 Circuit R Type
    • 6x1 GT Type
    • 10x1 GT Type
    • 6x1 Racing Type 1
    • 6x1 Racing Type 2
    • 8x1 Street Type
    • 5x1 Rally Type
  • WHEEL COLOR
    • Color 1~4
  • TRANSMISSION
    • AT/MT

PS2 Controller Settings

Battle Gear 3's gameplay is arcade (i.e. immediate fun) oriented over the simulation aspect with an intuitive handling and a particular drifting system. Drifting in this game is really different compared to similar games like Initial D Special Stage's full-auto no sidebrake way, but more a compromise set somewhere between the all-digital based Kaido Battle series and the elitist clutch based system used in the D1 Grand Prix series.

  • TRIANGLE: Hazard - CROSS: Cancel/Accell (Digital)
  • SQUARE: Brake (Digital) - CIRCLE: Horn
  • L1: Passing - R1: Sidebrake
  • L2: Shift Down - R2: Shift Up
  • L3: Steering - R3: Accell/Brake (Analog)
  • UP/DOWN: Steering (Digital)
  • SELECT: View change - START: Quit Menu

PS2 Car List (61)

Further information: Initial D characters and teams
  • ¹ This car has Dress Up customize restrictions including Body Color modification.
  • ² This car has Dress Up customize restrictions except Body Color modification.

Class-S

HONDA  Japan

  • NSX-R (NA2) ²
  • Civic Type R Tuned (EK9) Initial D Daiki Ninomiya's Civic ²
  • Integra Type R Turbo Tuned (DC2) Initial D Smiley Sakai's Integra ¹

MAZDA  Japan

  • RX-7 Type RS Twin Turbo Tuned (FD3S) Initial D Keisuke Takahashi's RX-7 ²
  • RX-7 Type RS Single Turbo Tuned (FD3S) Initial D Kyoko Iwase's RX-7 ¹
  • Savanna RX-7 GT-X Tuned (FC3S) Initial D Ryousuke Takahashi's RX-7 ¹

MITSUBISHI MOTORS  Japan

  • Lancer Evolution VII RS (CT9A) Tommi Makinen Edition ¹
  • Lancer GSR Evolution IV Tuned (CT9A) Initial D Seiji Iwaki's Lancer ¹
  • Lancer GSR Evolution III PCCS Tuned (CE9A) Initial D Kyouichi Sudou's Lancer ¹

NISSAN  Japan

  • Skyline GT-R V-spec II Tuned (BNR34) Battle Gear 3 ²
  • Skyline GT-R V-spec Tuned (BCNR33) ¹
  • Skyline GT-R Tuned (BNR32) Initial D Takeshi Nakazato's Skyline ¹
  • 180SX Type X Tuned (RPS13) Initial D Mako Satou's SilEighty ¹

SUBARU  Japan

  • Impreza S202 STi Version (GDB) ²
  • Impreza WRX Type-R STi Version VI Tuned (GC8) Initial D Bunta Fujiwara's Impreza ¹

TOYOTA  Japan

  • Supra RZ Tuned (JZA80) ¹
  • Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex 3door Mecha Tuned (AE86) Initial D Takumi Fujiwara's Trueno ¹
  • Corolla Levin GT-Apex 3door Super Charger Tuned (AE86) Initial D Wataru Akiyama's Levin Stage 4 ¹
  • Corolla Levin GT-Apex 3door Turbo Tuned (AE86) Initial D Wataru Akiyama's Levin Stage 2 ¹
  • MR2 GT Tuned (SW20) Initial D Kai Kogashima's MR2 ¹

Class-A

HONDA  Japan

  • NSX Type S (NA2)

MAZDA  Japan

  • RX-7 Type RS (FD3S)

MITSUBISHI MOTORS  Japan

  • Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A)
  • Lancer GSR Evolution IV (CN9A)
  • Lancer GSR Evolution III (CE9A)

NISSAN  Japan

  • Skyline GT-R V-spec II (BNR34)
  • Skyline GT-R V-spec (BCNR33)
  • Skyline GT-R (BNR32)

SUBARU  Japan

  • Impreza WRX STi Type RA spec-C (GDB)
  • Impreza WRX STi Prodrive Style (GDB)
  • Legacy B4 RSK (BE5)
  • Impreza WRX Type-R STi Version VI (GC8) Limited Edition
  • Impreza WRX Type-RA STi Version VI (GC8) Limited Edition

TOYOTA  Japan

  • Supra RZ (JZA80)

Class-B

HONDA  Japan

  • S2000 (AP1)
  • Integra Type R (DC5)
  • Integra Type R spec '98 3door coupé (DC2)
  • Civic Type R (EP3)

MAZDA  Japan

  • Savanna RX-7 GT-X (FC3S)

NISSAN  Japan

  • Silvia spec-R AERO (S15)
  • Silvia K's AERO (S14)
  • Silvia K's (S13)
  • 180SX Type X (RPS13)
  • Silvia K's Tuned (S13) Initial D Iketani Kouichirou's Silvia ¹

TOYOTA  Japan

  • Altezza RS200 (SXE10)
  • MR2 GT (SW20)
  • Celica GT-FOUR (ST205)

Class-C

HONDA  Japan

  • Civic Type R (EK9)

MAZDA  Japan

  • Roadster RS 1.8 (NB8C)
  • Roadster 1.6 (NA6CE)

TOYOTA  Japan

  • MR-S S Edition (ZZW30)
  • Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex 3door (AE86)
  • Corolla Levin GT-Apex 3door (AE86)
  • Vitz 1.5 RS 3door Turbo Tuned (NCP13) Taito Corporation ²
  • Corolla Levin SR Turbo Tuned (AE85) Initial D Itsuki Takeuchi's Levin ¹

Class-D

HONDA  Japan

  • Fit 1.5T S Package (GD3)

MAZDA  Japan

  • Demio Sport (D5YW)

MITSUBISHI MOTORS  Japan

  • Colt Sport X Version (Z27A)

NISSAN  Japan

  • March 14s (BK12)

TOYOTA  Japan

  • Corolla Levin SR (AE85) ¹
  • Vitz 1.5 RS 3door (NCP13)

PS2 Course List (9)

  • COMPLETE BEGINNER
    • 超初級 normal (Chyuu Shokyuu) Length:2.593km, Height:0m, Season:Summer/June, Time:08:00PM, Weather:Fine/Night
    • 超初級 reverse (Chyuu Shokyuu)
  • BEGINNER
    • 初級 normal (Shokyuu) Length:2.169km, Height:13m, Season:Summer/August, Time:05:00AM, Weather:Fine/Day
    • 初級 reverse (Shokyuu)
  • INTERMEDIATE
    • 中級 normal (Chyuukyuu) Length:1.774km, Height:33.5m, Season:Spring/April, Time:11:00AM, Weather:Fine/Day
    • 中級 reverse (Chyuukyuu)
    • 中級B normal (Chyuukyuu B) Length:1.842km, Height:4m, Season:Summer/June, Time:11:00AM, Weather:Fine/Day
    • 中級B reverse (Chyuukyuu B)
  • PROFESSIONAL
    • 上級 normal (Joukyuu) Length:2.208km, Height:30m, Season:Autumn/October, Time:06:00PM, Weather:Fine/Day
    • 上級 reverse (Joukyuu)
  • SUPER PROFESSIONAL
    • 超上級 normal (Chyuu Joukyuu) Length:2.164km, Height:28m, Season:Autumn/November, Time:04:00PM, Weather:Cloudy/Day
    • 超上級 reverse (Chyuu Joukyuu)
    • テスト・コース normal (Test Course) Length:2.765km, Height:10m, Season:Summer/August, Time:01:00PM, Weather:Fine/Day
    • テスト・コース reverse (Test Course)
  • ACE DRIVER
    • 弩級 downhill (Dokyuu) Length:Unknown, Height:470m, Season:Spring/May, Time:02:00AM, Weather:Fine/Night
    • 弩級 climbhill (Dokyuu)
  • SUPER ACE DRIVER
    • 超弩級 downhill (Chyuu Dokyuu) Length:Unknown, Height:60m, Season:Summer/July, Time:01:00PM, Weather:Cloudy/Day
    • 超弩級 climbhill (Chyuu Dokyuu)

PS2 BGM List (16)

  1. Morning View (初級 順走)
  2. The Machine of Rage (中級 順走)
  3. Groovy Run (上級 順走)
  4. The Sense (超上級 順走)
  5. Black Desire (弩級 順走)
  6. Feel the Noise (超弩級 順走)
  7. Night Diver (超弩級 逆走)
  8. Feel Tense (初級 逆走)
  9. End of Heaven (中級 逆走)
  10. Fight It Out (上級 逆走)
  11. Final Blow (順走 逆走)
  12. Into the Gap (弩級 逆走)
  13. I'll Be Back Here (超初級 逆走)
  14. Revenge on X (超初級 順走)
  15. Burst of Dust (中級B 順走)
  16. Wild Instinct (中級B 逆走)

Trivia

File:Bg3CGImage2.jpg
Opening movie (Polygon Magic)
File:Tokyoroadracedeutschland.jpg
BG2 (PAL)
  • The high quality opening CG movie was created by the Polygon Magic studio which has previously worked for the major business companies including Sega (Sega GT 2002), Namco (Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2), Konami (Thrill Drive 3), Tecmo (Dead or Alive 3) and Sammy (Seven Samurai 20XX).
  • Online Service has ended on December 26th, 2005. Ghost Data transfert, Net Ranking and Event Races are not supported any longer.
  • Taito's "System 246" arcade mainboard is based on the Sony PlayStation 2 hardware specifications. The hardware similarity allows a faithful port from the arcade to the domestic version.
  • Battle Gear 3 is compatible with the GT Force PlayStation 2 wheel.
  • Former American heavy metal band Mr. Big's guitar player, Paul Gilbert is featured in the Battle Gear 3 soundtrack CD named Battle Gear III The Edge (ZTTL-0059). Extended versions of Charge & Discharge, Morning View and The Machine Of Rage are performed by Paul.
  • As the game's cars are Japanese market model reproductions, each of them have right driving seat as used in the United Kingdom and Common Wealth. In similar games the "Internal View" and "Road view" are neutral and generally set in the middle of the screen, Battle Gear 3 is more realistic and the exception.
  • Battle Gear 3 is actually the sequel of a Midas Interactive licensed budget game named Tokyo Road Race (PAL) and released by various distributors, hence the different packages, in Europe and Oceania. Battle Gear 2 for Playstation 2 (NTSC/J) was released in Japan in March 2001 and the Arcade version was launched back in 2000. Battle Gear 3's prequel was not distributed in the American market though.
  • The Japanese Arcade flyer states that all Honda models will be removed from the USA edition. It's probably due to a legal issue with the manufacturer's American affiliate Acura selling localized grades.
  • The major changes between the Side by Side and Battle Gear series are the addition of two new makers, Subaru and Mitsubishi Motors and the introduction of the Battle Gear's signature "Instrument Panel View".
  • Completing all "Battle Gear" mode class "Challenges" with either "Complete" or "Perfect" scores will unlock the 中級B extra course in the "Main Race" section. Also, collecting all "Aero Parts" for each and every car will unlock the last extra course.

Is Similar To

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