Here's a racing game idea I know you guys will love!

"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88) 07/30/2015 at 22:17 • Filed to: Japan, Video Games, Kei Cars, Ideas

2

5

There’s been many different kinds of racing games out there over the years.

From simulators like Gran Turismo and Forza, to arcade type games like Burnout and Need For Speed, vehicular combat games like Interstate ‘76/’82/Vigilante 8 and Twisted Metal, games based around Japanese street racing like Tokyo Extreme Racer, and cartoonish ones like Choro-Q and Auto Modellista.

But there’s one kind of racing game that I’m certain has never been done: Kei car racing.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

In Japan, kei car racing actually exists, in the form of series like the K4 GP, and even kei rally and drift cars.

But a full on racing game dedicated to the popular kei car is something that doesn’t seem to exist.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

There has been something similar in the past, with the GTi Club games, and their main focus on superminis.

Kei cars are even smaller, but I see a lot of potential to not only make a game that is a fun game with kei cars, but to make one that’s a fantastic representation of the segment and an excellent learning experience as well.

Here’s how I see it: A racing game with a vast selection of kei cars, old and new. A ‘story mode’ that takes you through the history of kei car regulations, starting at the older, lower displacement models up to today’s 660cc models.

The cars would be split up into specific classification based on the era they come from.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

First, the 360cc era, spanning from April 4, 1955 to December 31, 1975. This is the starting point, as there weren’t many kei cars before this regulation was put into effect, after which kei cars began a big boom in Japan.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

After that, the 550cc era from January 1, 1976 to before March 1990.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Lastly, the modern 660cc era, combining cars from the March 1990 regulations (with a maximum width of 1.4m and a maximum length of 3.3m) and the October 1, 1998 to present regulations (maximum width of 1.48m and maximum length of 3.4m).

Then, there’s further divisions based on the kind of kei car. Like the ‘Everyday’ division, the ‘Van/Truck’ division, and the ‘Sports’ division, plus drivetrain divisions of FWD, RWD, and AWD/4WD.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The events would also be varied, including drift, circuit, point-to-point, drag, rally, and mini games like tag, football/soccer, and capture the flag, all of which would take place on custom made maps.

The actual racing events would take place on real tracks and tracks based on real Japanese streets, highways, expressways, and dirt roads.

Of course, there would be customization. It wouldn’t be extreme, bosozoku-style modification, but a great selection of OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories for players to personalize their cars.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

A Forza-like paint and vinyl editor would also be a must. It would be hard to resist putting making awesome paint jobs on these little guys.

All in all, I could see a kei car racing game being quite popular, even if only in Japan.

But it would be a great way to show the world how fun these diminutive little cars can really be.

TheHondaBro > carcrasher88 07/30/2015 at 22:24

2

I loved Auto Modellista!

Hot Takes Salesman > carcrasher88 07/30/2015 at 22:40

2

So it’s a game niche within a game niche... Are you trying to hack the Matrix or something?

Baeromez > carcrasher88 07/30/2015 at 22:57

0

Vigilante 8 was the shit.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > carcrasher88 07/30/2015 at 23:15

0

There also should be a customization setting to make it Mid-engined. Like a Subaru r2 that has the engine behind the seats. Or dual engine’d! A Daihatsu with 600 wheel HP!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > carcrasher88 07/31/2015 at 09:14

0

You can always do it within rFactor.