Kat's Run is 16-Bit Racing Game with a Unique Gimmick

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Just a little video that I intended to put out five years ago...was planning on making this into a "Chibisode," but of course I couldn't manage that, because I'm just not witty or smart enough to keep my scripts and videos short enough, I guess. Thank you for watching, hope you guys (and maybe even a few gals) enjoy.

[@MegaDeathRay10]

You fool that cowgirl is obviously the cutest of the girls

[@ryuhayabusa807]

Love this review. Thanks Jimmy!

[@space_asylum]

What’s this ending? Did you finally marry your game collection or what? K cars are awesome by the way.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

@MegaDeathRay10 No way, it's all about that 90s club girl look on Yoko...or Sayoko and her police uniform. I love a working girl. @Ryu Hayabusa Thanks for watching, and I'm a huge fan of your Xbox offerings. @Space Asylum I married my Ai-chan, thank you for the hook up.

[@bpcgos]

Just make it as long as possible and we will still loved it, especially after this draught of content....

[@The_RadicalOne]

I use to have this game. It’s so addicting

[@ImportGamingFTW]

"Used to"--you broke my heart, Reggie. You broke my heart.

[@MadPanicGaming]

I shall have to keep an eye out for this one. Supreme work yet again.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thanks man, I hope you can find one for under 2000 yen complete, shouldn't be hard to find. I thought you had this one for some reason--either way, it would be a worthy addition to the ever increasing bend on your gaming shelves.

[@AvalancheReviews]

Well they said it couldn't be done. They thought no one could have a more odd taste in games then me........ THEY WERE WRONG

[@TheRealLazerBlazer22]

As a fan of Kei cars and the art style and gameplay, I really need to play this. Thanks Jimmy!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Oh, if that's the case, then despite the lack of replayability, this should be a gaming dream for you. Hope you end up picking up a copy! And K-cars are awesome!

[@Larry]

I like the idea of smaller cars, been thinking of getting a Smart Car or a Renault Twzy over here as they're road tax free.

[@jamesrussell2936]

The Twzy looks awesome.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I love the Smart Car, used to rent them out for fun often when I was still living in Hawaii. Eventually when I get another car, if it's not a Jimny or a Mini, it would have to be a Smart. Also, never heard of the Twizy, that thing looks amazing.

[@skylinefever]

The Smart is the closest thing the USA got to a kei car. I live in Florida, and I would often see a kei truck being used by golf course maintenance staff. It's my understanding that road taxes in Japan go up as the car ages, and it often is so high that sending the car somewhere else is cheaper than paying the road tax. Renault bought and saved Nissan in the late 1990s, and I could visualize someone using both names on the same car.

[@Bubblun1]

Welcome back! There's a few things I find very charming about this. They actually took the care to license the kei cars for the game at a time when that was not very common. A wide roster of cars that are now semi-classics and a large character mix. I appreciated that you explained what kei cars are for those unfamiliar and showed the forbidden fruit new Jimny that we can't buy in the U.S. :( Overall I'm going to need to grab this one.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Always appreciated, Bubblun, and good observations on the licensing thing--it's pretty surprising that Atlus would secure rights to use cars from several manufacturers, and for kei cars of all things. Also, I'll trade you my copy of Kat's Run for that sweet X-men Vs. Street Fighter arcade marquee, ha ha.

[@skylinefever]

I didn't think about the fact that they licensed the cars. Many games would simply use the manufacturers code for the car, but not use the name. Tokyo Xtreme Racer AKA Shutoko Battle was one of those games. It is unfortunate that you have a desire to drive a kei car in the USA. I have a different burning desire for a piece of forbidden fruit. That is why I selected this name.

[@Bubblun1]

@@ImportGamingFTW That trade might have made a little more sense before you gave the big reveal of Kat's Runs current values lol. Will you be coming to PRGE again this year?

[@Bubblun1]

@@skylinefever Nothing wrong with Skylines, I just like the idea of the off-road capability of the new Suzuki Jimny. It'd just be a toy.

[@skylinefever]

@@Bubblun1 I se. That makes perfect sense.

[@VanMichael21]

Really enjoyed this in depth review my friend, especially the little trick to beat Kat lol that was great. Haven't played or even seen this game before so I'm glad you brought it here. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

I once had an apartment burn down thanks to a defective Happa-Vision TV. Outside of reminding me about that tragic incident, this was a fun video. You do a great job of covering these games that we never got here. Also, I am now a K-Car expert.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Defective Hapa-Vision television set? No way...wait, you must have had one of the models that were recalled. Those were manufactured for a short time in order for Hapa-Vision's parent company, Hapa-Tech, to break into western markets. Sadly, the original deal was made with Philips, and they just plain out sucked at making electronics, as was later shown with their pathetic entry in the electronic entertainment industry. Needless to say, the deal was nixed almost immediately, and your set is quite a rare collector's item...or at least it would be if it hadn't blown up and burnt to a crisp. Um, I mean, "thanks for watching, Yahel."

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

@@ImportGamingFTW 😂

[@Bento_AUS_3059]

I hope this game gets released for the Switch SNES service, the fact that they're releasing some SF Japan-only games on the service is real cool.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

That would be awesome--if/when I ever buy a Switch again, I'll have to check out their FC/SFC service!

[@Alanzice]

Great video as always. It's really cool to always discover new games watching your channel.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thank you, glad you're still discovering new things here.

[@largolagrande]

A new Import Gaming Episode! Marvelous! What an fun and obscure racer. Every time I think I've seem them all, the left in Japan SFC games... a new one pops up. That's what I love about Nintendos 16 Bit system. Great episode!

[@denNESdanMAKU]

I´m not the biggest racing fan, but I have to admit... this game looks and specially sounds really good! Such a "HIDDEN GEM" XD Also nice editing as allways my friend!

[@RetroIslandGaming]

This video was fantastic! I forgot to leave a comment AS USUAL BECAUSE I SUCK! I instantly fell in love with the soundtrack at the intro there. Sounds very unusual for a SNES song. I had to download the music right after watching. Can't wait to blast this driving through Kaneohe. This game doesn't look easy, but I wonder if I could learn to handle the controls over time. I appreciate when these retro games feature real-life vehicles. It's cool to see the various K-cars in 16-bit style, and it's refreshing to avoid typical, fancy cars. Jimmy, your videos are really getting good. I always feel like you strike the perfect balance of strict review and witty commentary, without going overboard on either. Hope to see more videos like this before the year is up! I've been on a SNES kick lately, so this was well-timed. I know you love your PSX games, but SNES-era is more what I grew up with.

[@BawesomeBurf]

I love the little animations on the drivers while racing around the track. Don't have a Super Famicom yet, but this is one that I would definitely like to pick up.Thanks for the tips on how to beat the last race.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

The face cams are probably my favorite thing about the game, small and silly as that might sound. Hope you'll pick this one up for cheap at some point, and I meant to comment on this before, but I'm sorry to hear you're not making YT videos anymore...but "no one's ever really gone."

[@BawesomeBurf]

@@ImportGamingFTW Thanks! I'm 99.9% sure that I won't be making any more content, but I will still be around to watch other people's channels.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Well, either way, glad to still have you around.

[@DubiousGamingOnline]

Kei cars are sick. its dope we can finally start importng some sweet japan only cars here in the US.

[@RetroVgLovers]

Great work Jimmy as usual!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thank you, as usual!

[@shopayne]

You came back with a killer video! Never new this game existed! And i live in Japan! I have a wagon r myself, Haha. Well, good to see u back! Cheers!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thanks for watching--what part of Japan?

[@waaaaaaah5135]

Would love to see this somehow turned into an OVA

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Same here, seems like it would have been the natural next step.

[@SuperDerek]

Awesome video Hapa! :)

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I appreciate it, Derek!

[@Ixapter]

Thanks for the explanation of K-Cars. :)

[@ImportGamingFTW]

No problem, thanks for watching and commenting. It was fun to make this video, one of the main reasons was actually to talk a little bit about K-cars, ha ha.

[@Horos_de_Vega]

Great discovery! Thanks.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@BlakaD]

wow amazing game, amazing video.... its weird... why u only got 10k subs something is off here

[@michaelgeorgiou4730]

Very interesting title, as always your videos are very informative.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thank you, I'm happy you always get something out of my videos, Michael.

[@kurati]

Man this game is so fun.When i rented this at 1996 , i didnt know nothing about japanese k cars! After i bought a wagon r ,i did play again and i special feeling brought in my heart. This game just need to be a little longer!

[@MellowGaming]

Really like the look of this game. Reminds me of stuff like Chase HQ and Tokyo Highway Battle but with less smashing into each other. The way it changes track mid race is pretty impressive a trick for mode 7. Would require unloading the track data to replace it on the fly. Outrun is more of a track data and colour pallet switch. This is more like switching textures on an object on the fly. I may have to have a look for a copy of this someday.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Dude, I love Chase HQ and S.C.I.! Haven't played Tokyo Highway Battle, though I've always been interested. Thanks for the interesting take on the track transitions, I'm pretty tech-illiterate when it comes to those details.

[@skylinefever]

I remember seeing the Special Criminal Investigation game because it had a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo. I'm guessing I was 7 or 8 years old. Unfortunately, my mom wouldn't allow me to play it. The 300ZX Twin Turbo went on sale when I was 5 and I instantly wanted one.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

It's a sexy car--I have the PCE version of S.C.I., but I'm hoping to pick up the Saturn version someday.

[@GameplayandTalk]

Despite its shortcomings, this game still has a lot of charm and looks like a lot of fun. I've never played it before so I'll definitely be checking it out thanks to this video.

[@SUPRAMIKE18]

"emphasize the practical over flash" (Meanwhile at Daihatsu HQ some time in the early 90s) TURBO TR XX

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool series/playlist.

[@ksenolog]

Great episode!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thanks, buddy!

[@cristianrodriguez8429]

Hey Jimmy! Just stopped by after watching your name on the credits for the M2 complete works documentary, just released by My Life in gaming, which it's so cool! Coincidentally, I also follow the work of Artemio Urbina from Mexico, who also contributed on the documentary. Well, I let you go, but kudos for the amazing channel content as well👌,

[@pickupplay5]

My favorite JP man is back!! 😍 This looks like a fun little racer, I'll keep my eye open for it when I'm shopping for SuFami games in the future. Nothing wrong with cute anime girls in an enjoyable package.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

My man, you get it!

[@NIGH11]

The blobfish rides again ! Huzzah !

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Your blobfish comments are always appreciated, Kevin.

[@Waybeforethefame]

thank you for his video

[@Dongled]

This looks phenomenal. Definitely gotta pick this up. I think it's weird that the top of their heads are cut off in multiplayer.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

You know, I didn't even notice that before!

[@colonelsandwich641]

Ah yes, played this one a long while back. The driving controls are surprisingly good, it's real fun to powerslide around corners. Unfortunately the CPU cars never really offer much of a challenge, the race against Kat was the only moment of excitement throughout the whole race for me (I had to practice a whole bunch using savestates though). In fact, it wasn't really until that final race that I realized that there even were powerups in the game at all, lol. At least the music is top tier.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Yeah, it's pretty easy--I meant to emphasize that more in the video. Hard mode is more of a challenge...but not by much.

[@TechnicolorDojo]

KIWIS BY BEAT Being a car weeb, you had me at autozam. They're a little too hip for my taste, but that's probably just resentment on my part due to the fact I can't fit in one. Despite this game's many flaws I'm still going to give it a try. It vaguely reminds me of some psone kei car cart racer I played back in the day.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Ha ha, glad you noticed that, I almost mentioned it in the video. I think I remember seeing that kei car cart racer you're talking about...also, haven't seen the latest one, but I've been loving your new videos over the past few months.

[@TechnicolorDojo]

@@ImportGamingFTW Thanks, Man. Skip the most recent one and wait for the one coming out in a couple of weeks. It's a Japanese exclusive that's been done to death, but I've never been above beating a dead horse.

[@skylinefever]

Could that game be called "Choro Q"? I think I played a Choro Q game on the N64. I never got called a car weeb, but I have been called car otaku before.

[@TechnicolorDojo]

@@skylinefever It certainly could be. I maybe remembering incorrectly and it was the Penny Racers N64 title. I've been poking around the internet for a bit and haven't found anything on ps1 that fits the bill.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Looking forward to it, man...I love a good dead horse beating, but only if you're perpetrating the crime.

[@StuffWePlay]

The soundtrack of this game alone has made me want to hunt this one down!

[@TritonusRaven]

Another great game with the Mode 7! In Sweden we don't care about semi-auto or automatic. We just learn how to drive.

[@MegaDeathRay10]

Welcome back

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thank you, it's good to be back...hopefully I'll stick around longer!

[@nickiebanchou]

well, one more game to try with BSNES's HD mode7 ! :D

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I'm interested in seeing how it looks in that mode, just found out about it a minute ago from another commenter here. Really cool feature!

[@nickiebanchou]

@@ImportGamingFTW it's literally a game-changer ( yup, pun intended :P ) for games like Pilotwings :) driving games are a bit less impressive due to the low view angle but still usually satisfying to try out :D

[@DubiousGamingOnline]

looks neat.

[@Ken-ix6vx]

What does KIWIS BY BEAT mean?

[@kennethpittman8469]

Can you do Tenma De Jack for ps1?

[@TheDaliPopka]

I wish we would've received this game in the states, as opposed to...Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers...yeah..this is so much better.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Ha ha, never played that one, but the name reminds me of that stupid Star Wars racer for PS2.

[@TheDaliPopka]

Oh, Super Bombad Racing! That was....it just was.

[@technozombie789]

I know you don't do emulation, but I'm curious how this would look with that Mode 7 HD feature that has recently been released.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I had to look that up, I'm so out of the loop--that's pretty amazing, thanks for letting me know about it!

[@technozombie789]

Ask and ye shall receive kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3iviJSkhtl1iKs

[@PrekiFromPoland]

Is it just me or that guy in the black jacket and shades looks like Bean Bandit?

[@swosho]

Banger soundtrack

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Hell yeah, I'd buy it on CD if it existed.

[@famigamers4818]

Dude I drove some of those cars when stationed in Asia 😄

[@mattsephton]

Thanks for this great detailed review! I'm inspired by some things in this game whilst making my own driving game @ gingerbeardman on twitter. In 2020 this is now way out of my price range (£100+) so I'm thankful you featured the manual and other details. Cheers!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thanks for watching, and good luck with your game. I'll take a look at your Twitter profile sometime. Sorry to hear copies of this game are so expensive online, it's still really cheap in Japan. Hopefully the online prices become a little more reasonable (or you get lucky)!

[@Shishizurui]

yeah this game seems like if it was just a little bit more polished it would have been like move over mario kart.

[@pferreira1983]

Cool game but no Street Racer. I used to love playing that game. Great fun. Shame there were no sequels.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I need to play the 32-bit Street Racers!

[@pferreira1983]

@@ImportGamingFTW You mean the 32bit port of Street Racer? I think it's on Saturn.

[@ZeroWalker26]

Man been missing a Jimmy hapa video now I wish for a new long livestream video to watch. Yes I most often miss live streams so I watch the video later but man I LOVE the live streams videos with Jimmy and hes awesome friends. I rely like the dude that´s in the army bloody forgot hes name at this moment sorry. But yeah need live stream video to watch while grinding my crafting in ffxiv.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thanks for watching, and I'll probably stream something either later tonight or next week! Glad you like the streams, I know there are a few people who really don't like them. And my army friend is HistoricNerd, great guy with great videos. Hope you'll subscribe to his channel, he streams often and also join him on occasion. Happy crafting!

[@ZeroWalker26]

@@ImportGamingFTW Ah right that was the name HistoricNerd yeah I follow him hes also awesome.

[@civdung1758]

All hail His Mongoloid Excellency: Jimmy Hapa!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I think I'll add that to my resume!

[@carblazer31672]

well i guess now i have to buy this one

[@ImportGamingFTW]

If you find it for under $20, I'd say go for it!

[@Krisipoke]

Cool. I'm usually not that into racing games, but I do love the original F-Zero, and being a mode-7 racing game, this does look similar. And cute girls make everything better, of course. :D Will be definitely looking out for this.

[@HsienKoMeiLingFormerYANG]

4:02 Otaku wouldn’t mind using her.

[@DubiousGamingOnline]

oh shit this game has an AZ-1 thats awesome.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I'd love to drive one in real life, it's a pretty slick kei car.

[@zanychelly]

With minimal change on the characters and cars it could have found an audience in the west.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Definitely--would have loved for a sequel to expand on the solid base presented in Kat's Run.

[@skylinefever]

This is one of those games that I easily forgot while playing with a load of ROMs and emulators. For about every 1 game that wasn't sold in the USA and should have been, 10 would have been forgotten. This is definitely one of those 10.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

That's probably about right--not enough polish and features to make this one a classic--but I'm telling you, the sequel is gonna be amazing!

[@SnappleRyRy89]

I know it's not a K car, but I was hoping a Hachi Roku would be a selectable car

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Someone loves his Initial D!

[@skylinefever]

I wonder how many people thought about those cars before they heard of Initial D.

[@kennylauderdale_en]

So many waifus to choose from.

[@Caspicum]

So primed for the latest installment of Boomer Jimmy's Nostalgia Hour. Please change your name to Boomer Jimmy.

[@ImportGamingFTW]

I'm only changing my name when I get married...will you marry me?

[@Caspicum]

@@ImportGamingFTW my surname is boomer...

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Then it was destiny.

[@alubaldini]

Name of 1:41 game .. tenis and 1:46

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Ace wo Nerae and Final Fantasy VI.

[@alubaldini]

@@ImportGamingFTW thanks

[@PastoKage]

Good Stuff!

[@ImportGamingFTW]

Thanks, as always!

[@KateandJohnMark]

Man, whoever was playing as Tetsuo in Vs. Mode was TERRIBLE.

[@KateandJohnMark]

@@ImportGamingFTW Right? Don't remind me...