Product ReviewsInitial D: Extreme Stage (Sony PlayStation 3, 2008) - Japanese Version

A must buy for a close to modern initial d experience

I love this series with all my heart as simple as that. We probably will never get another installment as a game even through MF Ghost. This game aged very well graphically and is probably a tier 1/2 ps3 game just based on graphics. This game is an arcade game don't buy it expecting realistic driving mechanics or grand turismo circuit like behavior this game is closely related to the Japanese arcade games held in machines at Japanese arcade game establishments. The best way to enjoy it is turn off your brain, relax and enjoy that eurobeat and slippery drifting action. This game is a perfect comfort game to play. Thank you for reading. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: enjoy-japanese-...

Arcade slippin' and slidin' right in your own home! :)

I've never been a fan of the series in the arcade since I had other games to spend my tokens on, but I figure hell, 35 bucks and I can play all I want, I'll give it a shot. Needless to say I am now hooked and playing the game in the arcade as well. It's a damn good port, arcade perfect if I can say so myself. But here's the draw, this game was NOT made for controllers, you'll have to invest in a mountable wheel. Unlike other games where the analog movement is programmed to move as at an exponential speed rather than an instant yolk, initial D treats your controller like a magic wand that can go from a hard left to a hard right in 1 ms. Even when I tried to fine tune my movements with twitches and slow angling, my car flew out of control everytime.

My only complaints is you are literally paying for an arcade port, and NOTHING else. Of course there's online play, but to me thats like vs in the arcade, at least you can see who you're racing. No system link? No split screen? It's a home version sega, cmon. At least sega didn't charge our credit cards for spare parts and renewing our IC cardsRead full review...

Initial D Extreme Stage | Type: Racing (Drifting)

Game is base on Arcade Stage Version 4 (Google to learn more)
Works on All PS3 Both Japanese & Asian Version. [Game is all in Japanese]
--If you are planing to buy one NOTE: That the asian version is cheaper but doesnt have an online play mode. Japanese version does have online play but ranking is only for japan. Any PSN account will play online.)--
--Whats good about the Asian Version? It comes with an English manuel.--

[The Good]
Graphics are amazing, Very deep customization and you can mix body kits. You get to pick licenses plates.

[The Bad]
1 Track missing, Very junk selection of music, Notice 2 of my fav cars are missing (S14 K's & ER34)
You are limited to only 3 cars in garage.
Very annoying to get points for upgrading when you have so much to upgrade.

[Overall]
I think this game is very good I like it more then the PSP version. This will keep you busy forever.Read full review...

A great game to accompany a great Anime.

Besides me being biased and wishing that the game was formally sub-titled and released in NA or EU this game is utterly brilliant. I've already clocked up a fair few hours and the Japanese language isn't an issue. (I haven't even had to use a guide to figure out what the menus mean, it's so intuitive.) | | | | | . . . . . | | | | |

First things first, the actual game play is going to be tedious for most as it’s quite linear. You pick your starting car (from all those featured within the actual Anime) and jump straight into your first race. It’s a simple track with a small amount of corners, the first thing you will notice is the lack of speed, this is mostly due to the cars being stock but it’s also very noticeable that your opponent doesn’t have much more power than yourself either so it makes for a very close race.
The game itself isn’t very forgiving, you make too many mistakes and you have no real chance of ever catching up. However, it’s noticeable that the AI does also make mistakes and doesn’t race the perfect race every race which is a handy bonus. | | | | | . . . . . | | | | |

Next on the agenda; Tuning. As you’d expect from such game you can splay your car with various decals and company logos and really make it look like that drifter of your dreams, throw in a nice body kit, exhaust tips and a few other treats and you won’t even want to change car again. The mechanical side of tuning is basic but rewarding, anything you upgrade does have a noticeable effect on the vehicle, but it also seems the AIs cars get tuned accordingly to yours so you’ll never truly smoke the opponents throughout the sprint / race but the game and your perception really gathers pace as corners come around much faster, tighter and less controlled. | | | | | . . . . . | | | | |

Now, as I managed to get a hold of the Japanese and not Asian release I have online multiplayer. Although hard to find a game / race / lobby at first its still a solid component of the game and worth every minute of your playing experience. | | | | | . . . . . | | | | |

A short review, and possibly not one with much depth, but on the whole if you loved the Anime you’ll love this game and or the PSP game too. | | | | | . . . . . | | | | |Read full review...

If you loved it in arcades, you'll love it at home

absolutely the best arcade racing game you can have at home.
I still yearn the feeling of going to an arcade and playing Initial D 4 with friends. But that was years ago when I was in high school. I would still glance at those machines every time I go to the mall with my wife, but I don't think I would be welcomed by the kids playing it, lol. So this game is my only option now.

Don't compare it with simulation games. Apple vs. orange... but you might need a wheel.

Yes, the interface is in Japanese, but any good camera translation apps on smartphones can do you the trick.

If you loved it in arcades, you'll love it at home. At least the touge routes look beautiful.Read full review...

Newest Home Initial D Title

This doesn't really measure up to the newest versions of the Initial-D arcade games, but it's as close as you can get for the time being and it's still pretty fun in it's own right. All the animation is stiff and goofy, and there aren't even local multiplayer options, but the upside of the game being so basic is that you won't have to spend much time learning the menus through trial and error if you don't know Japanese. I have a particular affinity for this style of goofy drift(?) racing(?) game, but I'd definitely make sure you've familiarized yourself with the game-play through online videos before diving in, if your only exposure to Initial-D is through the Anime.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: nbz-jp

Simple but addictive

The game has that simple racing genre feel from the looks of it, but where it really shines in is mastering the control of your car and the course you drive on.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jp_market

Initial D: Extreme Stage

Very fun and addictive. Bring the arcade home with this imported title, not much is in english but after looking around at forums and remembering some of the menus, you'll be able to navigate easier as you play. There are two versions of the game, Japanese and Asian. The difference between the two is; Japanese can go online and asian copy cant. Another way to bring the arcade feeling home is to use a steering wheel. I have the GT Force wheel by Logitech. The graphics are my only complaint, for a 2008 game coming out to PS3 i expected a little more from the graphics (max 720p). Aside from that, the game was GREAT!Read full review...

Just like the arcade game.

As the description says, this game plays exactly like the arcade game. While buying it as a non-Japanese speaking American, there is a little bit of learning curve to navigate the menu(Nothing that can't be found with a quick search of gamefaqs.com).

The handling is a little loose at first, I think this is because of the differential between an analog stick on a controller and an arcade sterring wheel. Once you get the hang of it this game is obscenely fun. Definite buy for any fans of Initial D out there.

The Asia import can be played on any PS3, no mods/downloads required.Read full review...

Initial D: Extreme Stage (Japan)

This is probably one of the best experiences for racing, anime, or especially Initial D fans! The driving physics and graphics are a little out dated, but fans of the arcade game will feel right at home. Challenging foes, driving J-rock and J-pop music pushes the excitement level higher. The downside? Dont order it if you dont know Japanese, as the menus can be a little hard to navigate.Read full review...