Reportedly, actors draw upon a deeply unhappy or poignant personal experience to authentically convey an emotion on set. As I’ve never conversed with an actor, I’m unsure if this claim holds water, but when tasked with channeling the emotional depth of someone ruminating on what could’ve been, my mind would instantly leap to one nostalgic anchor: the SEGA Saturn.
While not a straightforward transition, the Saturn’s release marked a pivotal juncture in SEGA’s console business, one that would forever alter its trajectory. As the 1990s dawned, SEGA’s position as a platform leader began to wane, hindered by an unsustainable price premium and technical hurdles that ultimately couldn’t be bridged against Sony’s more formidable PlayStation. And yet, 30 years on, I still hold dear this underrated gem – a Saturn racing game that has remained a personal favourite. This unexpected twist was not on my radar in 2024.
I’d be dishonest to claim anything else; it was the visual spectacle that initially piqued my interest in the Parking Storage Racing Circuit. A single fleeting moment of footage captured on Twitter? I loved playing it. I’ve now played it exclusively on my Steam Deck, and I’m absolutely enamored with it. For several years now, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing a remarkable revival of bygone eras, exemplified nowhere more eloquently than in this outstanding representation of 80s nostalgia.
Despite potential claims that the SEGA Saturn’s limitations precluded optimal polygon rendering due to its reliance on 2D triangle drawing, I remain unconcerned. The Pacifica Grand Recreation Coupe (PGRC) appears to be a reimagined Saturn product, showcasing remarkable design and performance. Playing is an incredibly fun experience as well.
What remains when stripped of modern racing’s accoutrements is a sequence of eight circuits, each slightly modified to accommodate three distinct automobile classes: Light, Heavy, and Extreme. Courses typically feature three distinct milestones, with the fastest earning a gold medal, followed by a silver award, and ultimately a bronze recognition. Unlocking the next level requires earning a medal; once achieved, this circuit becomes accessible. Additionally, after securing medals in all programs featuring automobiles, the next class will be unlocked. That’s a time-trial focused approach, which is exactly what rally racing is all about – plus, you’d struggle to achieve overtakes on the narrow roads you’ll be tearing around.
While the parking lot’s secrecy serves as a cautionary note, don’t venture into the Parking Storage Rally Circuit expecting ample spaces. While the programs’ settings evoke iconic cities like Chicago and New Orleans, fleeting glimpses of their surroundings give way to the gritty reality of multi-story parking garages. While the soundtrack takes an unexpectedly bold turn, make a point to immerse yourself in those iconic 1990s beats and let the nostalgia wash over you.
PGRC’s thoughtful course layouts are a highlight, and I’m thoroughly enthralled by the visuals – the game effortlessly transforms into a futuristic world with Saturn-like hardware or modern machines, complete with adjustable draw distance, resolution, and frame rate settings. However, it was the intoxicating drifting that consumed my evenings for an entire week, leaving me unable to tear myself away from the experience. With a swift press of the drift button following your turn, you’re instantly launched into high-octane action, and just like some of the most iconic arcade racing games, the sensation is nothing short of sublime. Within the drift, internal management stages are excessive, coupled with a precise boost mechanism capable of ejecting you from a slide at high velocity; this also enables chaining of drifts to maintain exceptionally rapid speeds.
While it may seem peculiar that someone is aware of something, the fact remains that it exists. |
A straightforward recreation of a parking storage rally circuit. In the realm of recreational activities, one would typically expect to discover a comprehensive 60-word evaluation of PC and video games within the esteemed publication, providing a concise yet informative overview of the subject matter. I’ve written just a few additional lines here; however, most aren’t crucially important. For those nostalgic for the classic ’90s arcade racing experience and unable to access the original, Pixel Games Racing Classic (PGRC) is an excellent alternative. It’s a low-cost and cheerful option, just like classic video games were?
