Auto Modellista: Worse In The West

[@MidnightClubStillCancelledSoz]

Those graphics look so... *timeless* I love it!

[@billymercury3897]

Sup

[@folo_x3434]

Hi

[@NFSBeast2365]

Agreed!

[@phrog.4809]

This would be your type of video wouldn’t it

[@justkady]

Lmao 6th time ive found you

[@Kacpa2]

I hope we will see this kind of artstyle again. We need quirky racing games back!

[@synthdriver8817]

If you like the art style, you should check out Night Runners.

[@garedbi]

Check out Inertial Drift

[@krispy2364]

There's Hotshots Racing which is inspired by arcade racing games from the early 90s like virtua racing.

[@shira_yone]

@@krispy2364 I hope it get successful, I want the middlemarket racing games with real cars back

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

Drift City is back.

[@NatsukiMogiIsBestGirl]

This review further reinforces my opinion that Auto Modellista is a game with huge untapped potential, and I absolutely agree with what you said about originality and niches in the end. I wish someone would revive the Shutokou Battle/Tokyo Xtreme Racer series, it would really mix things up, which is something the industry needs.

[@0jiHxx]

😱

[@oldred9122]

This game also let you customize your garage (place toolboxes, shelves, posters, air compressors, etc.). I probably spent more time doing this than actually driving.

[@luichinplaystation610]

Doing own logos

[@Juanguar]

2:30 Ah yes, the Ferrari master🅱️lan

[@codenamenhx3718]

And the Ferrari master engine™

[@ThatFFan]

S🅱️inalla

[@Bog2901]

It's funny how the lack of content in Auto Modellista is the exact reason speedrunning it is possible. Trying to run something like GT4 or another content-rich racer from the era would take hours longer. But this game is just short enough and has just enough little tricks and optimizations to become a real speedrun. Is it necessarily a great speedgame? Not really, but running it has let me enjoy the beautiful aesthetics of this game for much longer than I probably should have.

[@Bahraini_Carguy]

I honestly think the 2000s was the golden era for the driving/racing games genre, at least compared to nowadays. Sure there were some shovelwares and not so great games but the variety of available choices as well as different unique takes on the genre makes it hell a lot better than whatever we have nowadays unfortunately. It's sad considering I'm a car enthusiast and massive fan of driving games.

[@Larry]

Wasn't the art style chosen because it was more realistic originally, but Capcom wanted to avoid confusion with Gran Turismo? But Capcom also made a Formula 1 game too, but it was only ever released in Brazil for some reason, possibly as it was sprite based when all other racing games had jumped over to polygons.

[@shira_yone]

Good thing it came out looking like this, it's beautiful.

[@aleronhawk]

Yeah i think we all can agree that the artstyle choice was a blessing in disguise. It makes it stand out from the rest and this is exactly how we remember it.

[@Mace2.0]

That, and a lesser-known Mega Man kart racer.

[@NFSBeast2365]

How’d you know? You’re an ex-dev? Anyways, the art style is so cool.

[@adlibbed2138]

@@NFSBeast2365 no way in literall hell he was, especially since this game was made in Japan

[@kankanmwah]

I love the fact that your name in the game is "sBinalla"

[@guilhermebataer9637]

Br? se quiser saber como eu pensei isso foi por causa do teu nome

Pronto?

[@LeweMan]

Man, if you want quirky over the top japanese racing action, you MUST give Racing Lagoon a look!

[@ShonnDaylee]

I've been wanting to play that for years! Unfortunately I don't speak Japanese, and have never found an English patch....

[@laze_amvs424]

seems cool and I've never heard of it before

[@spinny319]

@@ShonnDaylee kinda a late reply but a ENG patch just dropped for Racing Lagoon :)

[@ShonnDaylee]

@@spinny319 It dropped a few months ago. I've been playing it since. :)

[@ThoArtOne]

@@ShonnDaylee European version is identical to JP

[@thepassingstatic6268]

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who thought that handling and steering in this game were completely whacked. But despite that I kept playing because I just LOVED the cel shaded graphics

[@ludicrousfool7953]

10:36-11:00 My thoughts exactly on recent racing games. Not that I necessarily don’t enjoy my time with them (I’m looking forward to buying WRC 9), but barring exceptions like Wreckfest and Xenon Racer, many racing games today just feel indistinct from one another. I, too, am quite disappointed to see there hasn’t really been any cel-shades racer since this one.

[@MegaXron211]

Inertial Drift is a cel shaded racing game thats got a demo up, but I dont think is out yet.

[@perfectlap9379]

I'm working on one myself 😊

[@JulianBo188]

2:35 ah yes, shouting as if you were in the middle of a noisy arcade

[@AuntieAliasing]

KEEP ROCKING BABEY

[@RexcorJ]

"C'MON, C'MON!!" I do love that announcer's enthusiasm, though, even if he's more fitting in Capcom VS. SNK 2.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Thank you for covering this. I'm still surprised no one made a cell shaded semi-realistic racing game like this.

[@RaijinRacer011]

The fastest build I have found on the NA version/US-Tuned is a 2JZ swapped Toyota Sports 800 (not sure if Engine swaps exist in the original version of the game) As it is a featherweight (based on a micro-size sports coupe from the 60s), it's very fast and has decent braking. However it is very slippery especially in the rain, and engine swaps are unlocked once you have every car in the game.

[@free_playstation_2]

Ferrari's 2020 model might be the best example of 0-60 in eventually

[@NoJahns]

i still remember how disappointed i was years ago when i first found out about Auto Modellista and got the GC version, with the horrendous handling. For the longest time, I genuinely thought it was just me, since while researching before pulling the trigger, there were claims that the handling was "improved" from the JP version. Like you said, it may still not be anything more than average, but holy fuck, playing that JP version a year ago was so euphoric, actually being able to enjoy the driving and all. That said, it pains me when I see this game get attention, and people use the US-tuned version. So I hope this video gets around so more people will know there's a version out there that isn't so slow and unbearable. At least with the JP version's gameplay, I feel one could make a more compelling case for more games like this.

[@EricMasten-Archive]

Played both NTSC-U and PAL version and can agree with that that american physics are weird and messed up compared to european version which may have japanese physics.

[@sunnyturtle0862]

I just got the US version but couldn’t find the Japanese import, but the control I got used to it, idk how did I found it fun

[@sunnyturtle0862]

But I want to try the Japanese version tho ;-;

[@jaswanthkumar8365]

@@sunnyturtle0862 European version also has the Japanese handling. U can also try that

[@malekd.ketchup9047]

@@jaswanthkumar8365 does it have the same car list as the American version or are those cut?

[@armands3153]

Love the game. That tuned up Mazda RX-7 will forever be in my memories.

[@Heidegaff]

Automodellista makes me so fucking sad. It looks amazing, it aged beautifully artstyle-wise, but it's short, easy, and forgetable. I hope we'll see this artstyle in a racing game again, or for a team of modders to make this game actually good and releasing it as a mod.

[@Brawndo27]

One of my favorite things about this game was that there were tons of very subtle, small detailed mods you could put on your car. American racing games that had visual modifications were almost never subtle.

[@Kacpa2]

I think that limit is just artificial to make cars into tiers, like Undercover(except for PS2 and Wii versions) where it has similar dumb limits in every car and every gear no matter how you tune it.

[@ferrisarrafisilitonga5097]

Are we going to just ignore the soundtrack? They're absolute bangers that I made my friend buy me the soundtrack CDs from Japan during the years the music isn't uploaded to KZbin yet.

[@ThePikaPlayer]

1:30 GT PRO SERIES!!!!! YESSS!!! This game is, was, and will always be one of my favorite games to turn on and play on the old Nintendo Wii despite how short it is and despite how easy the early stages can get.

[@volleyballurrrr]

Thank you for giving AM the retrospective it deserves. Agree with everything you said... I got AM for Christmas 2003. I was so disappointed in the handling, I thought I had set something up wrong. But I shook it off because at that time I needed JDM car culture content injected directly into my veins. It’s still intensely nostalgic for me, and to this day there are parts in that game that I’ve never even found information on in English. 17 years after I got the US version of AM, I finally played the OG on an emulator and it brought me the closure I needed on the game: the handling wasn’t always an embarrassment. It was a competent game let down by Capcom. I wish they would remaster this and add Fuji, Tsukuba, Motegi, maybe even Autopolis or Nikko, along with a real progression system. We can only hope.

[@wileyseveryn2295]

A racing game that has a quirky vibe kinda like this is wreckfest, it has feeling of older racing games like this with customization and fun tracks

[@Kaceydotme]

loooooooooove wreckfest

[@AlexTenThousand]

I'd love to see Auto Modellista make a comeback - more than once it felt like the Initial D game that the West never got, thanks to its artstyle and visual flare.

[@Fuuntag]

5:38, “something you tolerate for the sake of the visuals”, excellently put.

[@Under10Hours]

For a game that looks this gorgeous, it's really disappointing how blah the gameplay appears to be.

[@cadufraga6851]

It's simple but very fun, it takes some time to get used to the unusual handling but damn it's good

[@Under10Hours]

@acktually aintaddingup I didn’t say I’ve played it. I said it looks bad. Learn how to read next time.

[@shawklan27]

Still looks better than crossroads

[@adlibbed2138]

do yourselves a goddamned favor to not compare this to dumpster can

[@shawklan27]

@@adlibbed2138 k

[@ajemajh]

@@adlibbed2138 apply cold water to burned area

[@steve8296]

While the game is far from perfect, I still love it. I have learned some tricks with the game. Once you get to the red line on top gear, start a cycle of releasing and pressing the throttle. Since the peak power is below the rev limit doing this will allow you reach a higher top speed. An more exploitive trick is requires you to unlock the "engine swap" and Toyota sports800. The engine swap is basically useless since you can't tune the engine but the s800 with 2jz and 6 speed swap is an exception. With the transmission tuned for max to speed I was able to reach 200mph/320kmph. Plus the game still classifies it as the bottom performance tier.

[@rapidemboar4625]

I couldn't really play this game as a kid, but even before I could win races I still had a lot of fun. There's still quite a bit of stuff you can do outside races, like customizing your car and garage, and I've never seen anyone comment on the mode where you can put those visual effects from the intro FMV on your replays. I'm also probably one of the few people who likes US Tuned's handling. I won't call it good, but I honestly kinda enjoyed how gentle and precise you needed to be with the car. It felt quite satisfying, especially on the mountain courses. The fact that no other racing game I've played has similar handling helped cement it in my memory.

[@nolongerusing7430]

I was playing my copy when you uploaded this.

[@jalen8r]

Gonna say that the GameCube has the best balance of realism vs drifty rear end floatiness I’d recommend that version to anyone looking to emulate

[@pedrozanon7245]

Yeah, even though I only played the us ps2 version in my opinion the biggest problem was the number of tracks and it's designs, because apart from the mountains and Suzuka, all the orther tracks are very mehh/forgatable. I think the JP physics + good amount of tracks with good track design would be a great combo. I think it will remain as a product of its time that only appels for people who look for a different kind of racer.

[@shira_yone]

I just like Osaka because it follows the real life Osaka Hanshin Expressway loop (which doesn't appear much in racing games)

[@Full_Otto_Bismarck]

I played this game back in 2004 on the gamecube. I have very fond memories of it and search for videos on it from time to time. One feature i really enjoyed that i feel you overlooked is the ability to decorate your garage with various items you receive for winning races. I loved placing things around the virtual garage to make the space my own, and getting to see it in the background in the menu screens. Personally i loved the vintage oil cans, all real life brands such as Pennzoil and Castrol etc. But there were also floor jacks and toolboxes and posters and flags, it was a very fun little side activity that no other racing game in my memory has had an equivalent for. Anyways, just my two cents.

[@ianism3]

just tried the European, JP, and US versions of the game. The European one has the JP handling, and you can play in English. best of both worlds!

[@_justtoomanygames_8857]

That is so true about modern racing games either being open world or being a simulator. I can relate because I always find myself playing older games like project gotham and the older DiRT games because they have a more fun, relaxed approach. Great video man

[@Luna-mp6gt]

Any of yall remember Blur for the ps3/360? That was easily one of my favorite racers of that era.

[@garyskippracing]

Reminiscing about Auto Modellista is like thinking back to your favourite ex. So, so good, but there was ultimately a reason why you didn’t continue playing. I would maintain that to this day no game matches the satisfaction given by the garage editor, and easy to configure car mods / paint schemes / stickers as this game. Of course other games have superseded what was possible here, but they just didn’t do it like AUTO MODELLLLLISTAAA did. And I don’t think that they ever will.

[@datcat3390]

I love this game’s timeless art style.

[@millbrick]

So, Currently, Art of Rally. It's Auto Modellista's Spiritual successor, Even if not the same style exactly.

[@hotrod_hornet]

I think HotShot Racing is kinda like it

[@Gizzor]

i dont even like racing games but man i love this channel i can feel your passion for the genre in these videos

[@kasuraga]

I loved doing engine swaps in this game. You couldn't tune them but you could do really crazy things like stuff a wrx engine into the subaru 360 or something like that

[@SmallBlogV8]

I bought this (PAL version) back when it was new/recent. I loved being in its world (wonky translations and all #NewItemGet) but remember not getting on with the handling very well and doing lots of practice... They should bring it back as a mobile game!

[@Pluvillion]

9:42 I wasn't expecting you to include a Project DIVA footage but here we are 😂

[@Ghost-510-z2z]

hang on didn't BlackPanthaa make a video on this? but seriously this looked pretty promising when I first saw it. Shame that the driving physics suck in the US version

[@flyderay]

yeah, doesn't get any better when you realise virtually no one has uploaded a japanese ROM of it to any game preservation/rom archive

[@seraslain962]

An ideal Auto Modellista: Anime bullcrap in arcadey drifty form with all the quirk and charm of a late 90s racing anime. Cars take off and drift hard. Turning is only for modifying your direction, drifting is how you'll want to take the turns. Tightening the mountain bends would have been good for that Initial D feel and varied street tracks (like Highways with cars to dodge and complex cityscapes with near-perfect 90 degree bends) might have perfected this game. Balanced tuning that's more about playing into your driving style and the track rather than finding what makes the car go speedy could help players delve into the idea of Tuner culture. Visual customization might need to take a backseat, though changing the Spoiler, Rims, and being able to select from a large selection of different Paint Jobs might be all the customization that's necessary beyond some deep performance customization. Visual customization could also be cheap, allowing you to experiment with what looks good or what makes the car feel like an expression of the driver while giving the player the option to change it at any time as the game progresses. A story could be neat too? Something dumb, something that isn't necessarily jaw-dropping, but simple enough to give story races context and fun enough to make the player grin at the fun anime stupidity.

[@entityeoe2285]

I almost 100% ver 1, and ver 2. I can say, that at my peak I got muscle memory for rokko & akagi hill. I always use tommykaira on those tracks, which I tuned. The car is basically built for those tracks Since I tune my cars I don't have rev limiter bounce problems. I would think that means I'm a good tuner

[@lokasz9]

So, is the PAL PS2 version a good handling one?

[@Kaceydotme]

Yes

[@FabioGnecco]

I love this game's soundtrack ! I played back in 2015 on ps2 and yeah, the controls aren't good, but it's a enjoyable game when you finish and get the RC circuit ! A silly bonus haha The video editor is also pretty nice ! Oh.... Well, I wish we had more games like auto modellista ! I also like the narrator when you crash in the race lol This is a game with personality !

[@OuterHeaven210]

I still have memories of doing time trials on my akagi with my friend. I was like 12, hadn’t even heard of initial d either.

[@sagew7377]

I loved playing this as a kid. I was amazed you could even activate turn signals!

[@lerigan]

Maybe now that the new NFS is looking kind of like this, Capcom can commission a reboot? A man can dream…

[@Buttyshag]

I’m sure that someone’s pointed this out by now, but the 112mph was a speed limit imposed on Japanese vehicles, I had an import Yamaha FZR400 3tj back in the 90s that had the same limiter

[@mattc2306]

I like this game's artstyle. It reminded me of a comic book, in a sense.

[@zolbieab8294]

>Using Ace Attorney as an example of a non-americanized franchise OMEGALUL

[@garedbi]

Please check out "Intertial Drift", a twin stick drifting game coming soon September 9th. Had a blast with the demo

[@MartyTuro]

Finally some good content on this site

[@chavychivas502]

If you wanna experience a Cel-shaded style racing game I guess you could try inertia drift, cars are unlicensed but really striking on handling and its aesthetics.

[@LibraScope]

I suppose I really should give the other version of this game a shot, and see if I like the alternate physics more instead. Looks... better, even if the track selection prevents it from being great. Side note, good job actually spelling cel-shaded correctly in your description :D

[@Nightdrive005]

This game brings me back so much good memories playing back on my ps2 when I was little

[@posterpackrat]

Good work Kacey! I enjoyed your review and comparison. 👍

[@John-mf6ky]

Man, even today this game is absolutely gorgeous imo. Honestly surprised I'd never heard of it though used to play a lot of racing games on PS2.

[@Kousaburo]

It's sad to hear that this is a mid tier game, the incredible art style really made it stand out back in the day. A fixed-up remaster would look astonishing in 4K and even HD.

[@chrono_tigger]

I knew something weird was going on with the handling! It didn't strike me as a drifting game, so It felt out of place. The biggest thing keep me from playing more was the lack of any real progression in what cars you have access to. Maybe if you are addicted to customizing and tuning cars it's alright, but say goodbye to any challenge when you have instant access to a tuned Nissan Skyline. I love the idea of the game, but in practice it falls short. Also, the multiplayer is kind of enjoyable if you have friends who also like racing games... RIP me.

[@father042]

So the PAL version on PS2 with RX-7 on the cover is the same as original while every other version with Viper on the cover is US tuned?

[@Kaceydotme]

yes

[@PzOwNeD]

A really cool thing to have someone do would be combine NFS:HP(2010)'s physics, NSFU/Heat's Car customization, and cel shading style to create something that is explicitly about being flashy and big and arcadey, as opposed to the constant chase of high-fidelity graphics and good sim play. hell, a game trying to capture that idea of self-expression through cars ala NSFU would be _hugely_ boosted by a cel shaded style, because it would really only make the cars pop more, and be more eye-catching.

[@ZetaRidge7]

Ironically enough, I got Auto Modellista last year for my PS2 Slim and I still somehow ended up enjoying the game despite its major flaws. It's quite nice on revisiting these older games, especially the older PS2 racing games. :)

[@supunhewadewage3044]

I fully agree with your closing thoughts. We need more variety in racing games. I am also going back and playing these old titles rather than spending time on the newest releases.

[@deadspace4755]

Oooh, l love this style! Ah PS2 era, wonderful memories and ideas never seen before.

[@NoReverse77]

I can drive the cars fine in the na released version. It’s different but it doesn’t take long to get used to.

[@Gamebit257]

Ace Combat! God, I love this series. Will you review it someday?

[@DAVIDATDI]

Kacey. Great content. Have you looked into the Kaido Racer games for PS2 another great Genki Games production

[@R3dRicky]

I think to me "Hotshot Racing" kind of filled the spot that this game should have filled. Or at least it comes very close to it.

[@KanzakiZD]

this game is a hidden gem of classic games. i can't even find one original disk in my country

[@Karyovin]

Could you imagine a team up of Ex Ridge Racer devs/designers and the graphical team behind Auto Modellista with online. Either that or someone commissions Team Reptile to see if they can make a spiritual successor with Hideki Naganuma in charge of the OST

[@TisBoiGoTSkiLLz]

10 year old me couldn't appreciate this style of game. I remember when it was released, I could not stand it. Now almost 20 years later I am in love with this art style. Really wish there was a modern alternative similar to this style.

[@Pyro-Moloch]

I want more games with this early 2000s atmosphere. Things had this nice optimistic vibe about them in those times.

[@alexandreb.1101]

Is no one gonna talk about the WinXP soundtrack in the end? Love that music

[@TheChikyChiky]

While I feel “Worse in the West” is a bad title given that you said both versions aren’t that good, I do feel that the inclusion of American makes and modes don’t off set how the handling and acceleration were nerfed for challenge. I stand by my statement, you gave great points, and gives me a reason to seek out an NTSC-J copy.

[@TheAlison1456]

You seriously just shattered my worldview and all that I thought was possible... I cannot believe it... The US version of the handling is broken. It makes so much sense. I have to try the original.

[@SuzieB23]

10:52 what game is that, please?

[@Kaceydotme]

It's one of the Gran Turismo Concept games for PS2, probably Tokyo-Geneva.

[@SuzieB23]

@@Kaceydotme thank you so much I wanted to check out the game you had such praise for. I'll give that series a peep

[@raflyalivian9071]

I really hoping someone or some developer would make a racing game with this kind of artstyle I really enjoy Auto mobilista even though the physics is kinda bad for me but the artstyle is really catchy and unique. i think im gonna play it again later just because of this video

[@dynamicsamurai3803]

Always wanted to try this game, didn’t know America got the update version. It even reminds when SEGA did Daytona Championship edition, where the controls felt weird and changed the soundtrack.

[@PaddyMcMe]

Bought it and played it when it came out, loved it. My mate though, every time we'd play it he'd called it 'Auto-Molesterer.'

[@LivingWithGames]

If you are looking for a racing game that has those cell shaded graphics, and a potential fun racer, check inertial drift out. Good review too, shame really for this game.

[@ruddgrandprix-speedrunraci8515]

Me seeing a Dodge viper on the game cover for the PlayStation 2" I was like Test Drive much?"

[@geepatrick]

What game is featured at the 1:33 mark? Is that a Tokyo Extreme?

[@zrewio.2904]

gran turismo 3

[@ThaSwitcherTayTay]

Yo Kacey Im glad you reviewed this. Made my day because you’re always reviewing old school racers that I’ve played but no one else that I know has. Wanted to hear another person’s opinion on Auto Modellista because of the graphics, gameplay, and that announcer (‘Come on, come on!’). Game had so many quirks for the time like usable turn signals and custom license plates. Also, I noticed your gauges have the model of the car on it (like Atenza, Supra, GT-R), but my US copy didn’t have that. Was that a Japan only deal?

[@Kaceydotme]

I think they changed it for the US version. The RX-8 had the car logo on it in JP and had "RE Sports" (probably a reference to RE Amemiya) in USA

[@Renopus]

With this year making Auto Modellista circle twenty years old, i sure hope Capcom considers committing onto a remake, remaster, or a reboot, seeing they have more things to announce this month. Whatever of the three or something different, does not matter that much. Something like this game has to come back.

[@CaroFDoom]

on the topic of japanese racing games that aren't made anymore it would be interesting to see a look at the TXR series because I don't think it would even be feasible to make a game like it again

[@zeeks4338]

Akagi where I have to sacrifice my gear ratio to make my Cobra driveable in Mountain roads.Good old days

[@Stallzyx]

Nice video. I had this game as a kid and still have all my old PS2 discs. Not sure if the UK ps2 version ever got the Dodge Viper cover though. Something that kept me entertained and made it more fun than others was that you could use the indicators for turning left or right lol. But I think I put more time into the Burnout series and Midnight club 2 and 3 dub remix. Burnout Paradise was a game I platinum trophied (didn't include dlc achievements) on ps3

[@SharpForceTrauma]

Idk, I liked it. When I was a kid I just liked decorating my garage mostly. I formulated good tuning strategies as well.

[@j377yb33n]

If you're looking for racing games with interesting styles, I can definitely recommend grip and redout and the art of rally, and intertial drift is meant to be quite good

[@NASCAR511]

That explains why it was so hard to win at Rokko, the engine brake of the new handling model is abysmal

[@HisaoNakaii]

That beeping isn't an rpm warning, that's just the car morse coding you "Yamete Kudasai".

[@Dom-HSK]

Drifting takes time to learn, I think I've learned it but it's still difficult

[@tk7806]

1:40 and 2:18 what are the name of those games please?

[@fikriyh555]

what is the title of the game in 2:16