Forgotten Gaming- OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

Name- OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

Platforms- PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable

Developer- Sumo Digital/Sega

Released- March 2006

Back in the 80s Sega released a little game called OutRun to the arcades, developed by gaming mastermind Yu Suzuki. Combining Sega’s tradition of cutting-edge technology and Suzuki’s love for Ferraris, OutRun was a fast and addictive game with a simple premise: drive to the end of the course with your girlfriend in tow. The game used a special effect dubbed ‘SuperScaler’ which created a realistic 3D effect never seen before (other games with this effect include Space Harrier and Hang-On). Considered a ‘driving game’ more than a ‘racing game,’ your only true enemy is the clock, with other cars and track imagery there only to slow you down. At the end of each course, the track splits allowing you to choose where you want to race next, and these courses vary widely from the California coast to ancient ruins to sprawling forests.

OutRun ported its way to home consoles and computers, and numerous spinoffs were released in the late 80s/early 90s. As video games turned advanced to true 3D imagery, OutRun stayed stuck in the past with its strictly illusionary sense of depth… until OutRun 2 hit the arcades and Xbox in 2003. OutRun 2 was the first game since the original to stay true to the series’ roots, sporting beautiful graphics and fresh locales to race in. A few years later Sega released OutRun 2SP, a which gave racers an all-new map of courses to play through, and in 2006 the game was brought to consoles in an expanded port renamed OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast.

OutRun 2006 was released for the PS2, PSP and Xbox. In what could be the first instance of PlayStation cross-play, save files could be transferred between the PS2 and PSP versions, allowing you to take your save with you wherever you go. This kind of feature is now being publicized as a key selling point between the PS3 and PlayStation Vita, yet no one remembers (or probably knows) OutRun 2006 was doing the same thing a half-decade earlier. I guess this game truly deserves the blog title, ‘Forgotten Gaming’… =(

For a mere arcade-to-console port, OutRun 2006 features a staggering amount of content. First of all, the full and completely unlocked arcade version of OutRun 2SP is included, which is worth the cost of admission alone. (This arcade version was also downloadable for the Xbox 360 and PS3 as ‘OutRun Online Arcade’.) This home port also features all of the tracks of OutRun 2 (making 30 courses total), which are all completely time-attackable and run forwards and reverse. Besides the standard OutRun mode (get to the end), there is also Heart Attack mode, which is like a mission mode on the fly. As you drive your girlfriend will announce impromptu challenges (such as passing cars or driving through gates) and clearing these missions awards you hearts (which makes the mode name that much more punny).

At the end of each game you are awarded OutRun Miles, which act as a currency. At any time you can enter the Showroom and use your miles to unlock new cars, liveries, tracks, music and more. Oh, and for music? Available for your miles purchase are dozens of originals, remixes and remasters of iconic OutRun tunes old and new. If this miles thing sounds familiar, you might have played those Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing games that have come out recently. Sumo Digital developed those games also =P, and after playing OutRun 2006 you’ll be amazed at how many things the All-Stars series lifted from OutRun!

But wait, there’s even more...

As if all of those modes and niceties weren’t enough, OutRun 2006 also features an all-new suite of modes, appropriately named ‘Coast 2 Coast’. Here you’ll find *scores* of missions that mix up the arcade courses and have you racing other cars, out-drifting them, and more. There’s also remixed Heart Attack missions that have you clearing missions to unlock harder ones hosted by new girlfriends =P. All the while you’ll be racking up those OutRun miles to unlock everything in the Showroom, and you’ll be having lots of fun the whole time.

As I mentioned earlier, the arcade mode alone was re-released for PS3/360 as ‘OutRun Online Arcade’, and charged about $10 for a fraction of the content available in OutRun 2006. Today, since Sega’s license to use the Ferrari namesake was not renewed, Online Arcade is no longer available to download (unless you’re redownloading it from already purchasing it years ago). I’m really not sure why Sega would want a game like this to die in such a stupid way, surely they could’ve released a patch that simply removed the licensed logos and called it a day, but I digress. OutRun 2006 gives you an excuse to dust off your 6th-generation consoles and offers a plethora of content for a mere $5 (or less if you shop around a bit, mostly online). It’s an absolute no-brainer. OutRun 2006 is a fabulous, classic arcade game dressed up in a modern shell. The game may be 7 years old but has aged beautifully and plays just as well. Sega may be notorious for dropping the ball on many occasions, but trust me, OutRun 2006 is as fine an arcade experience as they come.

Drag Race S5 E11- Runway Recap

I’m doing this post immediately after Episode 10’s, no week-long wait for you guys this time. Not only have I actually found some time to do all this, but I couldn’t put it off any longer. This runway is easily one of the BEST I’ve seen in the entire series!! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved it! This is the kind of challenge I dreamed of when I decided to do Runway Recaps for this season, where I could really have some fun.

This was the obligatory penultimate ‘ball’ challenge where the four remaining contestants had to create 3 totally different looks (replicating a traditional drag queen ball pageant). This season was the Sugar Ball: the first category was ‘Super Sweet 16’ (get it?), the second category was ‘Sugar Mama Executive Realness’ (ha ha), and the final category was ‘Candy Couture’ which required the outfit to be composed mostly of candy. This challenge is usually the most stressful one of the season because not only is it creatively demanding, but this is the challenge that determines who is in the Top 3. No one wants to be fourth, even though by now you’re considered Drag Race royalty anyway. We’ve got a lot to cover and a lot of pictures to sift through, so let’s get started! Here’s RuPaul this week:

Ru’s been looking pretty good the past few weeks! The exaggerated leopard spots look a little Flintstone, but I’ve noticed RuPaul gravitate to that kind of pattern before. Hair is classic, jewelry once again is minimal, and the clean makeup just seals the deal. 

Did I mention this was the first runway ever to feature different runway songs? I totally was not expecting it, but when the category changed and I started hearing that godly remix of ‘Sexy Drag Queen’ (same one from Drag Race Allstars) I nearly died!! I love that song!!! =D And the song for the last category is a remix of Cover Girl that we’ve never heard before on Drag Race! Could this be Season 6’s theme?? Omg omg omg just hearing Sexy Drag Queen’s remix on the runway again made all of my problems just melt away. Ok, time to get myself together. Focus, Andre!!

COMMENCE… SHAKE… DOWN.

Category 1: Super Sweet 16
(dress like a teenager)

Runway BGM: I Bring the Beat
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BEAUTIFUL!! I just realized now that the bow in her hair is a gift ribbon, and as you know, I love attention to detail!

I am in love with Alaska. That is all.

But seriously, she took the SoCal teen girl trope and ran with it. The wannabe black dress, the pink accents, the overdone smiling, the cell phone breaks in between runway poses… Alaska knocked this one out of the park. Beautifully, wonderfully done.

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No one ever said they had to be a teenager from the 2010s!

It took a while, but we’re finally beginning to discover a weakness in Jinkx Monsoon: she has a big problem looking modern. All of her looks are dated to the mid-20th century, and don’t get me wrong those looks are great (including this one!) but rarely does she choose to look like she’s from 2013. When the category of teenager was announced she immediately asked if she could look from the 60s/70s. Being caught in a time warp is great for a drag queen, but not every single time. And that wig is about 3 feet too long.

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I’ve never seen a teenager with a bust quite like that…

Roxxxy looks young, pretty and vivacious. I love that shade of blue and the way it sparkles something fierce, and she acted just the way a 16-year-old would. The white spots all over her are marshmallows because hey, it is a ball based on candy! The only thing that puts this off are the gratuitous boobs. It’s fine for 20-something Roxxxy, but a little too much for a teen look, no matter how slutty she is =P.

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If Jinkx was a teen from the 70s, Detox is her counterpart from the 80s.

Yes, Detox time warped herself also, but for her it’s more forgivable. Detox has looked modern (if not ahead of her time) this whole competition, so for her to step back 30 years here it’s a welcomed change. Detox also brought candy into her look via her lapel and her lollipop. She looks great here, just like a girl that’s so wrapped up in her pop culture (right down to the leggings). And that smile in the last pic looks so cute!

Category 2: Sugar Mama Executive Realness
(dress like a careerwoman)

Runway BGM: Sexy Drag Queen (‘dootdoot ‘doot-swift’’ remix) =D!!!
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Alaska the Architect/Foreman. They decided to forego the name graphics from here on =\.

In RuPaul’s positive critique of this look, he said how it’s very difficult for a drag queen to wear a tailored suit and still look like a believable woman. But Alaska nailed it. The cut of the blazer and the way she cinched in the waist were the secrets, and she utilized them perfectly. And she’s got on a cropped wig, no less! Yes the look is plain but if anything it’s a proof of concept: this queen is truly talented and gifted at what she does.

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Jinkx Monsoon the Burned-Out Schoolteacher. (from the 60s…)

Jinkx managed to tell a complete story in her runway walk: she’s a tenured schoolteacher that’s clearly ‘over it’ and has been for years. She still thinks she’s got the sex factor (by biting on the pencils) but she still doesn’t have much care for her appearance (the tousled hair). The facial expressions are killer and it’s so much fun to watch her in action. Oh, and that dress is so hideous it’s brilliant. I really wish this runway lasted longer!

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Roxxxy Andrews the Whackjob Businesswoman. Keep your distance, people!

If the left splitscreen photo needs explanation, she’s popping a gummy bear in her mouth. Roxxxy has the notable distinction of being the only contestant to incorporate candy into all 3 of her looks, a difficult feat. Keep in mind it was never required to do this (only the last outfit had to include candy), so maybe Roxxxy misunderstood this. Regardless it helps pull together all 3 very different looks very effectively.

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Detox the Trendy Executive. (from the 80s)

Detox continues to rock the 80s (while I keep rocking to this amazing runway BGM) and it continues to work well for her. The hot pink and magenta has morphed into a stunning shade of blue, and that hair is a gamble that paid off in spades. This is what I love about Detox, she takes something simple (dress) and adds something avant garde (wig), all brought together with a icy glare that could stop traffic.

Category 3: Candy Couture
(haute couture outfit made primarily of various candies)

Runway BGM: Cover Girl (‘RevoLucian’s I Am The Runway’ remix)

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Alaska’s candy of choice: cotton candy. (and omg that Cover Girl remix is sick!!)

There’s no question that Alaska hot glued a ton of cotton candy to a corset and called it a day, but wow did it turn out well! The wig and shoes go along with the dress perfectly, and luckily Alaska didn’t overdo the makeup, allowing the look to speak for itself. Appropriately enough, this whole getup reminds me of Amanda Lepore’s single ‘Cotton Candy’. Look it up on YouTube if you’re in the mood for something… alternative.

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Jinkx Monsoon’s candy of choice: candy cane/peppermint.

Right off the bat, Jinkx was determined to make create a Christmas, reindeer, candy cane explosion, and that’s exactly what this is. From the neck up, Jinkx looks absolutely beautiful, with her white wig and red lips punctuating her alabaster skin. From the neck down… it looks a little rough. Maybe it’s just me but I don’t actually see any candy on her, just a dress that resembles candy. She did know she had to have actual sugar on her person, right? And those antlers are just a bit overkill.

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Roxxxy Andrews’ candy of choice: licorice.

Roxxxy is the self-proclaimed seamstress of the group (as well as Ivy Winters, I could only imagine how amazing she’d look if she was around for this challenge), and she was so excited to finally have a challenge that showcased her talent. Yes, Roxxxy just glued long strings of colored licorice to a corset (Alaska style), but it works. The pictures really do the dress no justice; every swish and turn made every individual strand activate and flourish. It would have been hilariously tragic if the glue failed and all of those strands flew off when she spun… lol =P

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Detox’s candy of choice: ???

I think Detox mistook ‘Sugar Ball’ for ‘80s Ball’, because that’s the only thing that she appeared to capitalize on. I think the black spots on her dress are coiled black licorice, and with the black sash that’s the only candy reference this dress could possibly make. So yes, in the candy sense Detox bombed this challenge completely. But that’s no reason to discount that she still looks really good in this handmade dress!

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Ranking Based On Runway?: Yes
Winner: Alaska
High-Ranking: Roxxxy Andrews
Bottom Two: Detox, Jinkx Monsoon
Eliminated: Detox

There’s no question that Alaska beasted this challenge hook, line and sinker. Roxxxy also did very well, though it would have been nice to see some different hair colors. Detox kept the self-prescribed 80s look going through the whole ball but forgot the candy aspect entirely, and for the first time all season Jinkx landed in the bottom two. The lip-sync was something fierce (though that song was totally messed up), but Detox was asked to sashay away. After being in the top for the past 8 weeks straight it’d be downright evil to suddenly send Jinkx home now.

So our Top 3 is Alaska, Jinkx Monsoon and Roxxxy Andrews. Honestly I thought Detox would have made it instead of Roxxxy, but given her turnaround the last few weeks I suppose it’s justifiable. Since next week is the season clip show, I’ll respond with a Season Recap where we’ll go through each queen’s performance and some of my favorite screenshots of the season. If you ever wanted to sound off yourself and leave a comment, there’s no better time! =)

Drag Race S5 E10- Runway Recap

 Hi Europe and South America!

I’ve noticed that when I upload Drag Race updates my European and South American visitors spike. I’m assuming it’s because you guys didn’t get the season aired domestically yet (or at all), so I’m happy to be of service =). It means so much to know my work is not only read, but appreciated on a global level. Thank you, gracias, merci, grazie, danke schon, спасибо!

This episode was the obligatory makeover episode, where the queens were paired up with a person who’s never been in drag before, and the contestants drag them up in their image. Each season features a different kind of person to make over (jock, elderly…) and this season the category was gay veterans. For those of you wondering if I’ve done drag or would ever do it (since it appears I’m clinically obsessed with it), the answer is no. But… if one of the top Drag Race royalty offered to do it for me, for one night and photo shoot only, I’d jump on that in an absolute heartbeat! But that’s it.

It was difficult to get decent shots of the contestants and their partners, since even the cameras had trouble getting everyone in there. But I did my best, as always, and let’s start with RuPaul since I thought she looked absolutely lovely this week:

Elegance in simplicity is actually quite difficult to achieve, but RuPaul’s simple dress with minimal decoration perfectly plays off of her classic wig and flawless makeup. Save for earrings, she’s not even wearing any jewelry! Think of the last time you’ve seen that!! All hail the queen of queens.

COMMENCE... SHAKE... DOWN.

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Jinkx decided to go for a Judy Garland/Liza Minnelli thing, and I thought it translated quite well.

Oh my gosh, did Penny Tration return?! No. Looks just like her, though, especially the look of joy on the face. Jinkx was very animated all over the runway, and since her partner couldn’t move around too much she just flashed huge smiles. It’s just a bit odd to see Jinkx wearing a small dress compared to Fortuna’s modified tablecloth, but the colors coordinate and just their energy alone was enough to result in a fine showing. And I love Jinkx’s little hat!

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Damn, this is probably the sexiest Roxxxy’s ever looked. And their wigs are practically identical!

Roxxxy just looks so perfect this week. Yeah the eyes are a bit heavy, but that attitude and that hair completely make up for it. Isabella is clearly very happy to be there, almost as much as Fortuna. Remember that the goal is to make over your partner in your image, and in that case Roxxxy succeeded point blank. She’s still not one of my favorites, but this is the closest I’ve come to joining the House of Andrews.

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Poor Nebraska got cut off from the frame, and this is the best I could do in order to keep the graphic on screen. Don’t worry, you’ll see her later. Oh and Alaska? Your partner’s name is appropriately hysterical.

OMG is that Kirstie Alley?! I could swear that’s… no it couldn’t be, Nebraska is too thin. Alaska decided on a cat burglar theme, which works nicely in motion but in still shots looks very blah. They’re both wearing plain black bodysuits, with only a crude bag of money as their explanation and contrast. They look fine and Nebraska was well done, but this runway was otherwise very uninteresting. Alaska, we’ve seen better.

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Riddle time: What’s red and white and dragged all over? Answer: This.

The above picture is signature Detox: a razor-cut wig, very believable bust, piercing eyes and a devilish smile. She’s gorgeous and intimidating at the same time. Beth Adone’s name isn’t quite as effective as they probably thought it’d be, but her look is definitely Detoxy. She really looks like Detox’s younger sister who never had such heavy makeup before, and the alternate coloring between the two of them works very well. Good job this week.

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Coco brings up the rear, not only in the runway lineup but also in her partner’s makeover. She said she’s never done someone else’s makeup before and good god does it show.

Coco looks great in that dress and it’s refreshing to see her with long hair. But Horchata on the other hand… is looking kinda fugly. I really don’t know what it is, because everything’s all kinda there, but Horchata is much less than the sum of her parts. It’s really a shame because I bet he really wanted to look pretty but this is how Coco wound up dragging her. And Coco… girl… you knew going into this competition you’d be making someone over, so for the love of god why didn’t you practice doing other people’s makeup?! Even doing a mannequin head would be better than nothing!

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Ranking Based On Runway?: Yes

Winner: Roxxxy Andrews

High-Ranking: Jinkx Monsoon

Low-Ranking: Coco Montrese, Detox, Alaska

Bottom Two: Coco Montrese, Detox
Eliminated: Coco Montrese

Clearly, the busted-ness of Horchata Montrese was inexcusable, and Coco made her sashay only a week after her rival Alyssa Edwards made hers. Detox’s nomination into the bottom two was mainly due to their runway routine, which was rather flat (luckily it looked much better in still pictures!). Honestly there’s not much more to say about the elimination, as anyone with a working eye could see that Coco’s makeover looked the worst, and finally we have a challenge where runway meant everything! Finally it makes that first question relevant! Plus it was just Coco’s time to go. With her nice long wig, by this week we saw all we really needed to of her. She’s a beautiful, young cougar with bright eyes and a wistful smile. And like every pageant queen, she’s all look; there’s not much more to her. But hey, it’s a really nice look!