Arcade Archives: Ace Driver
May. 29th, 2026 07:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tepidsnakeThis week's Arcade Archives release is... Ace Driver (Namco, 1994)
Arcade Archives (previous-gen consoles)
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Switch
Arcade Archives 2 (current-gen consoles)
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EU
US
Switch 2
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Xbox
Xbox
Both the Japanese and English ROMs are included. No special Preference Settings here (similar to Rave Racer, there's a car colour selection option but this was available as-standard on the Service Menu) but ACA2 versions include support for local split-screen for either two or four players (complete with race queens to entice players to enter a race that's about to begin!). Analogue control options are available to tinker with as in previous racing game rerelases, but as a warning from GSK, the Switch and Switch 2 versions don't have the usual option of allowing for analogue accelerator pedal controls with the right analogue stick, and you're stuck with digital only, which is very unfortunate for this game as more precise control of the accelerator is essential for the higher difficulties. Hopefully they can get this patched, otherwise you're best sticking with the PS and Xbox versions for full control.
Back to the racetrack once again! If Final Lap was a reminder that it wasn't just 3D racers that Namco was known for, then Ace Driver is a reminder that it's not all Ridge Racer. Namco did a lot of work in the Formula 1 racing field in the arcade, with Winning Run, Driver's Eyes and Ace Driver all keeping that flag flying, with Ace Driver being contemporary with the Ridge Racer games. As with Final Lap and Pole Position, this comes a tiny bit closer to the reality of driving a Formula 1 car, something bolstered by the three different difficulty settings not equating to different tracks (there's only one this time) but more like how realistic the handling is. Beginner lets you go hog-wild with acceleration and turning while Expert (Pro) is significantly more punishing, requiring very careful use of the accelerator, brake and steering to stop yourself from spinning out all over the shop. You certainly won't be drifting with the smoothness of Ridge Racer here, but just like Final Lap, while I'm definitely struggling with this one (I can at least make it to the finish line on Beginner and Expert, but dreams of hitting first place are beyond me), I can appreciate its approach, and it helps that the game looks stunning, with the cleanest textured polygons 1994 can offer, a blistering pace and even little details like dirt getting caught in the wheels then disappearing once the wheels spin for long enough! Not that you want to hit the dirt, or the walls, if you want the true ending. In any case, it's great to see this one finally come home (no, GameFan saying that there was a PS1 port on the way doesn't count as it 'nearly' getting a home port, years of sourcing video game magazines has given me trust issues and I think they just made that shit up.)
Oh, and if you want to play as one of the CPU cars (no stat changes, just a fresh coat of paint), then ohfivepro has the cheat for you, explained in their Caravan Mode upload- hold down the brake and gear shifter (either up or down) after selecting your gear type until you get control of your car for a magical makeover!
Tatakae! Big Fighter (Nichibutsu, 1989) got a surprise Arcade Archives 2 release!
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Switch 2
Xbox
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This is what you'd expect- the same game but with the modern ACA options like rewind and save states. Notably, the Xbox version also supports Play Anywhere which I'm pretty sure means you can play it on Windows. I wouldn't know, the only modern Xbox I've got is an Xbox One that was dragged backwards through a hedge. This does, however, mark the first Windows-compatible ACA release that isn't a Neo Geo game! I wouldn't expect this treatment for every ACA game, mind you- as explained by GSK, they'd probably have to relicense stuff from external licensors like Konami and Taito- but other Hamster-owned games like the Nichibutsu and Video System library might happen. We'll have to wait and see~
This is what you'd expect- the same game but with the modern ACA options like rewind and save states. Notably, the Xbox version also supports Play Anywhere which I'm pretty sure means you can play it on Windows. I wouldn't know, the only modern Xbox I've got is an Xbox One that was dragged backwards through a hedge. This does, however, mark the first Windows-compatible ACA release that isn't a Neo Geo game! I wouldn't expect this treatment for every ACA game, mind you- as explained by GSK, they'd probably have to relicense stuff from external licensors like Konami and Taito- but other Hamster-owned games like the Nichibutsu and Video System library might happen. We'll have to wait and see~