May usually isn’t a time that we hear much news about new arcade developments from Western game creators, but out in the East and particularly with Taiwan-based IGS, this is the time where they like to unveil their latest content to the world.
The first game to come along from IGS this year is Speed Driver 5, something I spoke about for this VLOG. While SD5 is a challenger to the likes of Initial D and Maximum Tune, their latest motorcycle racing game is throwing down the gauntlet on Super Bikes, particularly Super Bikes 3. Speed Rider 3DX continues the tepid rivalry between the two (tepid as IGS just doesn’t make too many waves out West where Raw Thrills dominates; chances are you haven’t come across the first two Speed Rider games, but you have likely seen a Super Bikes just about anywhere). Here’s the full trailer where you can see what I mean:
Beyond both games being swivel-seat motorcycle racers, they also focus on over-the-top fantasy racing, inside of race courses that are more on the side of amusement parks than realistic courses. You can pull off tricks when you catch air, which will show up a few times every track. Then after you catch air, both games like to have you smashing through things to complete that over-the-top feel. Both games also look pretty nice, combining a vibrant air style while looking to create a sense of speed as you play. Although from this trailer, I can’t tell what FPS this runs at – it doesn’t look to be 60, something that SB3 does, but that can also be due to the capture hardware used for this, while the actual game may do so. Both games come with a camera for player avatars, although SR3DX also borrows an idea from
