Wangan Midnight

Wangan Midnight is a 80's manga that depict highway race. However, it was much more famous as an arcade racing game, when it first come out as Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune, in 2004. A sequel of the game was made in 2005.

The story, from a little excerpt, stated that In 20XX, Japan moved to a new Tokyo, which feature a vast extensive paid highway that criss-crossed the metropolis. At night, however, it became a race track for those who dared.

Characters

• Akio Asakura is the main character of the manga. When he travel normally he will drive a Nissan 300ZX(Z31). However, when he actually racing, he drives a heavily tuned Fairlady 240Z that is known as "Devil Z", one of the fastest car in the game/manga

• Tatsuya Shima is the main rival of Akio. Drive a heavily tuned Fairlady 350Z that is known as "Black Bird", one of the fastest car in the game/manga

• Reina Akikawa is a pop idol at day, and a street racer at night. Her car, a heavily tuned Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 model, is the third fastest in the game/manga. (though it was more due to her driving skill, as during "Legendary Car Time Attack" this is the fastest car)

• Kitami Also known as the "Devil's Tuner", he is the one that tuned both the Devil Z and the Black Bird. In the game, he also tuned the last five tuning points (as well as adding 1 or 2 tuning page after 80 stage) for players.

• Gen Sasaki (Gatchan) His behavior are similar to a sterotypical homosexual, and is actually a much-maligned character in the manga. Drive a Toyota Celsior, one of the worst car in the game/manga (though people may drive it just for fun)

Gameplay

Like Initial D Arcade stage, this game employ the magnetic card system, which store the data of the player (car type, tuning, story mode progress, time attack, outrun status). However, while Initial D focused on curving mountain roads, Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune (denoted WMMT) focus on highway battle. As such, while the roads in most case a straighter then mountain passes (even though there are plenty of sharp turns and S-curves), there are also numerous street vehicles that act as moving roadblocks, ranging from bumpable Corollas, slight block (only decrease a small part of the speed) from HiAce, and major block from ToyoAce - considering that the speed are actually much higher in Wangan, this create a need to be able to have equally good driving skill as Initial D.

In WMMT2, a mountain passage stage, Hakone, was added. Due to the visual perception compared to Initial D, Drifting is not only possible but encouraged.

In Initial D's battle race, bumping is frowned on, even though it basically does nothing. In WMMT, however, not only bumping does slow down opponent's car and change their movement, bumping is an expected staple,and will create significant effects on the outcome of the race. (like Initial D, never accept a challenge from an unknwon player if you do not have a car. Chances are they have a tuned car, and will easily win you)

As such, when choosing a car in WMMT, one have to account for not only power (determines speed), cornering and handling capability, but also its weight and stability, for a lower weigth, while in crease speed and handling, make it easy to bump and harder to bump back. Also, in WMMT (after 1st play through), the tuning attributes can be changed before the actual gameplay, switching between power and handling.

Compared to Initial D, drifting is more visually evidental.

Finally, compared to Initial D, it gives a more "relaxed" feeling, as story characters will keep on talking to you while showing their expressions, and may react you any actions you commit. Also, occasionally it features Pac Man characters as your rival, driving "street cars" that are even fasteer than both Devil Z and Black Bird.

Secret cars

In WMMT, there are two secret cars:
1) Highlight Toyota Chaser and use the shifter, enter N-6-4-3, to get Gatchan's Celsior
2) Highlight Nissan Fairlady Z S30 and use the shifter, enter N-6-4-3, to get Z31

In WMMT2, there are two more additional secret cars:
1) Highlight Toyota Supra (5-speed model) and enter N-4-1-2-6- 4-1-2-6- 4-1-2-6 to get the Corolla, one of the street car. It is a bit drifty.
2) Highlight Toyota MR2 and enter N-3-2-2- 3-2-2- 3-2-2- 3-2-2 to get the HiAce (Wagon). For one of the four secret car this is the best, for while untuned it is very slow, it has a very good handling and cornering ability, and best of all it is one of the best car to use to bump people.