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Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 2nd, 2015, 7:36 pm
by outrun2
andygeezer wrote:..
..so I only spent 30mins with it back in the day - was uncommon then, now is really obscure. oddly enough Sega had lots of artwork left, so my thinking was they didn't produce many cabinets.
Don't think I've ever seen one out in the wild though I do have a pair of dashes from a Dirt Devils on my OutRun2 twin conversion.. courtesy of you/Jeff (DSD)! :)

I think Sega just released too many games back in 1998 and Dirt Devils got overlooked for the more guaranteed earners such as Rally 2 and Daytona 2. Those two must have seemed a much safer bet than an untried off road game.

I heard ECA was available as an 'upgrade' for Daytona 2 cabs and there's a setting in the test menu to use either 4 way or up/down shifter. I wonder if Dirt Devils has this too? Might explain why there was so much artwork spare?

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 2nd, 2015, 7:53 pm
by uncletom
Outrun2, please evolve on the "dashes" thing, please. You mean dashboards?

I've never seen a Dirt Devils in the wild either. It was never imported to Sweden, the major operators didn't buy it. I think the game did better in Australia, also maybe in the american south, they seem to be fans of that kind of motor sports.

Speaking of ECA I've only seen one unit here in Stockholm about 13-15 years ago, all original with white sides and seat, no conversion. It was later sold to a friend of mine, and then it was sold to a guy in Norway. My ECA kit comes from ebay (I also may have bought a kit from Andy, he's always had plenty of interesting things I liked), it uses that dongle-PCB. There is this guy in asia, Eric / Shou, who had a non-dongle ROM-set of ECA. I think we got that dumped but my memory is so ... More beer?

Another aspect why DD may have been overlooked, when operators go on trade shows to browse for new stuff to order, DD must have been quite difficult to sell, especially while games like Rally2 and Daytona2 absorbing any attention with their stunning visuals.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 2nd, 2015, 8:23 pm
by outrun2
Yes, dashboards. I got a pair of complete and great condition control panels from a contact Andy put me in touch with about five years ago. I was after Model 3 dashes for my initialD to OutRun2 twin conversion and the guy was parting out a DD so had the dashes to sell.

If I'd have only realised at the time I'd get his far into collecting Sega divers I'd have had the game boards as well!

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 2nd, 2015, 8:57 pm
by uncletom
I see. I didn't realize that DD had custom controlpanels. I guess it does. It only uses one view-button, and a up/dn shifter. Almost too simple.

Yes, part number is DRT-1200, only one view-button :lol:

Could you please take a few good photos of one of your dashbards, posting them here in this thread?

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 3rd, 2015, 12:53 pm
by outrun2
The dashes have been converted now so have OutRun2 stickers applied and a Ferrari steering wheel emblem, but here's a before shot..
DSCF1709.JPG
And being unwrapped off the pallet. This was a good day :awe:
DSC02898.jpg

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 3rd, 2015, 1:15 pm
by uncletom
A good day in deed. Thank you very much. Now I see that exclusive sticker on the left. Otherwise it is a pretty standard Model3 driving controlpanel. You can use these dashboards for any driving game that uses the SPG-2500 steering mech. Only swap the view-button panel and gearshifter according to game, also add some wires to the wiring, and you never need another steering wheel.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 3rd, 2015, 2:09 pm
by outrun2
Yes very flexible dashes these. As we know most Model 3 dash panels have the 4 way shifter, but easy to swap to up/down type with the LMN-1202 converter bracket.

I had virtually nothing to do on these dashes to convert to OutRun2, but worth noting that although they look identical, the view change panels for DD and OR2 are slightly different. DD has 4 different views and OR2 3 different views and this is displayed by the steps on the view change sticker. Oh yea, and the text font is slightly different.

Nice bit of geek stuff from me there :ugeek:

I'll get comparison pics if you like ;)

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 3rd, 2015, 6:27 pm
by uncletom
Thanks. That won't be necessary.

.. I try to locate any cigarette burns on top of your dashes, but they like 100% clean, right? Lucky you!

I'd personally go for a fully populated vr-bracket with all 4+1 buttons, for Scud Race and the Daytonas. That way you only need this one bracket on your dash. And take good care of your gearshifters, clean it well and put some silicone lube on the spring and the glider knob. You'll feel the difference.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 4th, 2015, 1:13 pm
by d123456
Wow, amazing. Wow what an amazing review and what an amazing game.
Never seen it in the wild. I was always very curious about it.
Thanks for pointing out all of the details.
pictures is better than video to explain and highlight all of the features.
Great to see such enthousiasm.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 6th, 2015, 11:19 am
by uncletom
I did a search on youtube and there seems to be several guys out there with Dirt Devils.

Here's Shinradiac driving the proto at Boulder Canyon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90a3N6kW-M0

Notice how he cuts across the rocks right after exiting the tunnel. You can see that he's been practicing, the point is to find the best route, not necessarily staying on the road.

And here he's driving proto at Twin City 400 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbXJVAV7aic
Note how it gets darker over time. Also, if sound quality allows, you can hear the really nice sound of the large tires skidding on gravel as the ground here is stony and harder than the loose gravel at Tonatiu or Boulder. The ground here is also more uneven, which means that if you're not watching your speed you'll fly off the track into the rock wall.

I'd also like to add that I'm very curious about how the game behaves when two, or more, units link together, in particular the handicap of the cars. Because in single player your max speed always is cut down to about 170-180 km/h when in first place, which kind of feels 'not very fast'. If you're in second, third or a lower position your max speed is adjusted to higher. And if you're last, that would be 7th or 8th position, you will easilly reach a top speed of 200 km/h. I remember that I used to wait untill all cars were ahead of me, just to be able to drive that fast. I'm still in search of a possible handicapless race mode by either some button combo or secret menu hack.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 6th, 2015, 11:45 am
by outrun2
I don't like handicap features on racing games - I know they can be turned off but the default is usually 'ON' :problem:

The DD flyer states the player can select 'No Handicap' but doesn't mention if this is limited to link play..

http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=f ... 09&image=2

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 6th, 2015, 12:11 pm
by uncletom
Thank you Outrun2. I guess the no-handicap must be a multi-player only feature then. I don't remember any time-attack mode on DD, where lap-times can be polished. And the manual doesn't mention anything about 'no-handicap' either.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: November 8th, 2015, 7:19 am
by glstar
Really great recension here. :awe:
I really like this game on dreamcast.
Shame but this is one of the few Sega racing games i miss in my collection.... :(
Never find one here in Italy.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 1st, 2016, 5:12 pm
by outrun2
After a long search I now have the elusive Dirt Devils to add to my collection of Sega Model 3 driving games! :awe:

Therefore, behold: Dirt Devils ROM board and security board - EXPORT version..

Image

Also managed to get a NOS marquee plexi from a twin cab - not sure what I'm gonna do with it, but it's kinda nice to have..

Image

Not had chance to play much, but so far I like it and I'm made up to have it. It's not a purists driver by any means, but I like that it's so different from the more usual and great Model 3 drivers like Scud Race, Daytona 2 and Rally 2. It's a mad thrash over dirt, rocks, water, jumps, other cars and everything inbetween - did I mention dirt?? Haha pump that gas pedal and hang on for dear life!! :P

Also I can confirm that it is possible to run this game 100% - manual shifting and all - in a Daytona 2 cab. While Dirt Devils employs an up/down sequential type shifter you can use the 4 way shifter for manual shifting by leaving the shifter in the neutral position and jogging the lever up (to 1 or 3 and back to neutral) to change up a gear, and down (to 2 or 4 and back to neutral) to change down a gear. Works ok when you get used to it although I'm still playing auto until I get more used to the tracks :oops: Sound works fully as there is no additional DSB1/2 board for this game. While on the subject of sound - no the in-game music isn't great but the sfx are loud and brash and suit the game well.

I'm surprised how many Model 3 driving games can be played in a Daytona 2 cab. Before getting into Model 3 I thought compatibility of controls etc would be patchy at best and I'd need to re-map pins and faff about like with some JVS drivers. Not so, it's easy to run Scud Race (Step 1.5), Rally 2 (Step 2), Daytona 2 (Step 2.1) and Dirt Devils (Step 2.1) in a Model 3 driving cab by simply swapping out the PCB stack - and in the case of the Step 2/2.1 games it's just a ROM board swap (and sec bd swap with Daytona 2/Dirt Devils). I leave a fully populated Model 3 cage in place and just swap over ROM board or complete PCB stack - saves unplugging all the connectors on the filter board ;)

Anyway, did my usual attract mode video - there's not many Dirt Devils videos on YouTube..



Would like to get ECA (calm down uncletom!) and Harley Davidson/LA Riders next (I have a Harley ROM board but it's missing a few ROMs :problem:)

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 10th, 2016, 7:04 am
by Shou
Looking for a Dirt Devils myself....

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 10th, 2016, 10:15 am
by uncletom
Super catch there, Outrun2. And congrats. How's the force feedback? Does it do well under the Daytona2 motor-board ROM? If not you just swap the ROM for the Sega Rally 2 ROM on the motor board.

So now we have one more witness to promote this odd but exciting racing game. I know Andy hates the music, but I think it's just a matter of a slight brainwash ;) I mean I learned to like it, and unless we can hack in some better music we need to accept the original one.

For now you have tons of dirt to explore. But don't forget to enjoy all the small details like bumpers, tires, or any large rock hanging above your head at Boulder Canyon.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 10th, 2016, 5:57 pm
by outrun2
Thanks uncle ;)

Been playing a bit more recently - the FFB seems fine with Daytona 2 motor board ROM, although I have no point of reference having never played the game before. Seems fine, you get all the chatter coming through from the tyres and feel is realistically 'loose' bearing in mind the track conditions, but maybe I'll try with Rally 2 motor board ROM to compare - I didn't know which was the correct ROM. Scud plays fine with the Daytona 2 motor board ROM too but Rally 2 doesn't like it at all does it!

I actually like the attract mode music better than in-game music, but I can barely hear in-game due to all the roaring engines - I like this. I turn off music when playing F355 as it's annoying - the engine sound is sweet enough. Daytona 2 and OutRun2 (and rather embarrassingly, initialD) I like all the music!! :oops: :D

Took me a few credits to notice the boulder hanging precariously in the net above the track - very cool and reminds me of the train hanging on by a thread in Daytona 2.

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 11th, 2016, 7:57 am
by uncletom
That boulder, mysterious thing. We need to get to the bottom with that. I don't remember if there's a static routine to it or some variable. But I know it's ... alive. Does it ever drop down?

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 11th, 2016, 1:27 pm
by outrun2
Well, my boulder hasn't dropped yet :oops:

Re: Dirt Devils (SEGA 1998)

Posted: March 17th, 2016, 7:02 pm
by glstar
Great find.
If i remember correctly last time i search in our storage, i think i saw two complete stack of dirt devils boards......
I remembered that in one of the last trip, we bought some cabs and many spare boards and there the owner had a dirt devils twin in the past that goes lost.
I think that he removed the boards from the cab.
Shame the cab wasn't there....
:(

Anyway i really love your nos topper.....
Let me know if you want to sell it.
I'm in love with those spares.....
:awe: