| Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero | |
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 Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero cover art | |
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Developer(s) |
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Publisher(s) |
Genki (JP) |
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Platform(s) |
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Release Dates |
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Media |
DVD-ROM |
Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero (東京エクストリームレーサーゼロ, Tōkyō Ekusutorīmu Rēsā Zero), also known in Japan as Shutokou Battle 0 (首都高バトル 0, lit. Metropolitan Expressway Battle Zero), and simply Tokyo Xtreme Racer in Europe, is the third game in the Shutokou Battle series of street racing games set on the Shuto Expressways of Tokyo, Japan. Despite its name, the storyline takes place after the events of Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2. Released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation 2, it was developed by Genki and published by Crave Entertainment in Europe and North America. It was originally planned for release on the Dreamcast, but was moved to the PlayStation 2 following Sega's decision to cease Dreamcast production.
Plot (Quest Mode)[]
Introduction[]
"All legends are meant to be replaced."
One machine, even the fastest one pulled over while it was being called. That ridiculed the defeated car, as it was trying to follow its tail light, it disappeared into the darkness of the night...
...Then, the fast one was revealed to be "Jintei", a name which was engraved all over the Shutokō... And, to make a name for a new legend again, fame-hungry people will visit the Shutokō.
To wander around and pursue their prey.
Those who sharpen their skills with a lone wolf.
Above all the people who nearly match "Jintei" 'skills are 13 DRIVERS known to be hostile and feared, also known as the "13 Devils".
Repeated battles, many of those who have defeated local rivals will get the chance to challenge them. But, chance is for everyone.
This is the TOKYO METROPOLIS HIGHWAY... The last paradise on Earth where a legend is born...
Chapter 1 : Merry Go Round[]
A huge merry go round watches the Shutokō.
However, the noises you hear in that playground are exhaust and tires screeching.
Instead of white horses and carriages, you can feel the power tuned machines.
A carousel that everyone is invited to in this fantasy.
Shutokō Expressway Line, commonly known as "C1" is where all "Legends" start off...
Chapter 2 : Over the Rainbow[]
Rainbow Bridge. That, intense velocity from speed demons.
Sometimes kindly, sometimes aggressively, looking down on the guardians of the runners.
For the runners who are receiving the angel's love above, she caresses her arm a little on the ring road. There is no such thing as destroying the runners who have learned a little on the ring road.
But, the whimsical goddess of the Shutokō will easily change her mind if something faster than them appears.
The MIDNIGHT SEASIDE AREA..."Shinkanjō". Is this where she smiles at?
Chapter 3 : Show must goes on[]
The stage's asphalt emerges along the road.
An instant sonic drama is performed every night.
While extracting the lines of the sound from the muffler at "Kanjō" and "Shinkanjō", where everyone dreams of becoming the road leader.
Actors who don't know the defeat on one stage. Preparation for the battle for the only one protagonist was ahead.
Now, a new story is about to be told.
Chapter 4 : Top of the World[]
"Kanjō", "Shinkanjō". One step closer to the legend.
Now at the top, the remaining 13 Devils bet on their pride.
The last wall blocking the path to the legendary status is high and steep.
Welcome to the "WANGAN - YOKOHANE AREA", the god's realm of extreme tensions.
Only those who survive the battle for the demanding spiritual power can open the door to the legend...
Basic Ending (after defeating "Speed King")[]
A legend has come to an end... Who once was a challenger is now a target.
A new legend has arisen and competitors will emerge.
The appearance of "Jintei" has made the "12 Zodiacs" return to the battlefield. There is no rest in your quest...not yet.
Challenge Ending (after defeating "White Charisma")[]
A legend has become history. ...But, is it true? Aren't there more drivers you haven't encountered?
When all the drivers on the highway see your tail lights, that's the time you become the real champion...
Now, return to the past.
...And turn the legend into myth.
PERFECT ENDING (after defeating "???")[]
...what was the thing you saw? A hallucination? ...or is it a ghost? Or maybe it's your own shadow.
Anyway, it was incredible speed and running. Overwhelming power, pressure. But, you've defeated them all.
That moment... Everything you saw in front of you look different.
...but, tomorrow is another day. The labyrinth in Tokyo has no goal, no limit and no end...
Rivals[]
The game further expands the number of quest mode rivals to four hundred, keeping those from Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 while adding several new Wanderers and two new teams. Much like TXR2, western versions of TXR:Zero have rivals with western real names (although their real names are different from TXR2). Also, some of the original Japanese rival names were mistranslated into English (their stickers, however, have the original names).
Other Game Modes[]
Quick Race[]
An arcade-style game mode where players use vehicles and routes unlocked in Quest Mode and attempt to defeat as many rivals as possible without their supply of Spirit Points resetting between each battle.
Time Attack[]
Using pre-set routes, this mode allows players to test the performance of their vehicle by using lap times.
Free Run[]
A mode without rivals or traffic vehicles, where the full map is open, irrespective of Quest Mode progress.
Vs[]
Split-screen mode where two players engage head-to-head in an SP battle.
Miscellaneous Info[]
- Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero is the first game in the TXR series (among those sold in the US) to feature Japanese registration plate. When the player buys a car, it will come with a license plate, and players can select the prefecture, vehicle classification number, hiragana character, and plate number. Note; in order to race several Wanderers, players must be driving cars that have license plates with certain prefecture markings on them.
- It is possible to receive speeding tickets in Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero. Certain parts of the expressways have speed cameras where if triggered, the screen flashes red briefly and a siren can be heard. There are no police in the game and no police chases, but when you return to the garage, the player will be issued a fine. The fine amount depends on your speed past the section's designated limit (multiplied by ten). This happens primarily during battles and not during general cruising. It is possible to get a SAFE rating and avoid getting fined, but this usually involves driving a custom car with a variable license plate, if a normal car is being driven, it is largely a matter of luck.
- The soundtrack for the game consists of fifty-five pieces of music, comprised mostly of tracks composed specifically for the release of the title. A selection of these musical pieces are named and can be played via the music box feature, which can be found within the main and quest mode options menus.
- Mode 7 of the game's main menu was titled DVD extras and featured a video documentary on real-life C1 route racers, entitled Tokyo Hardcore: Night Warriors along with a trailer for the 2001 The Fast And The Furious film.
Localization differences[]
- The game's title varies by localization. The PAL release of game was called Tokyo Xtreme Racer but not to be confused with earlier "Tokyo Xtreme Racer" (1999) in US region on Sega Dreamcast.
- The Japanese release of the game features the full set of narration "cutscenes" for the transition between chapters of Quest Mode. Cutscenes for chapter endings are not present in English-language releases of the game.
- As mentioned earlier, US and European versions of the game have Western rival names and real names, while the Japanese version uses the original rival names and Japanese real names. Some of the Western names were mistranslated from their Japanese counterparts.
- The car model names of the Honda models have the real Honda chassis codes in their names (for example, Type-DC2, Type-EK9, etc.), in the original JP release. These codes are changed in export versions of the game, although the cars themselves are the same. The name Type-RF2 (Honda Stepwagon) is unchanged as this particular vehicle was not sold in North America nor was it well known in general outside of Japan.