Initial D The Arcade

Initial D The Arcade is a 2021 arcade racing game based on the Initial D series. It is the tenth Initial D arcade game, although it is separate from the Arcade Stage series.

Unlike the previous one-on-one experience of the Arcade Stage games, Initial D The Arcade features up to four players racing at any one time. Despite this, one-on-one battles are still available, with several appearing in the story.

This game was first playable on the 23rd and 24th of July 2020, in its location test, or "Ignition". More information was revealed on the 11th of December 2020 in its first "official live broadcast". It was officially playable again from the 8th through to the 18th of January 2021 during its final test. The game had a second broadcast on the 19th of February 2021 before its nationwide release in Japan on the 25th of February 2021.

An export edition was released in Asia starting from the 29th of July 2021. The game began it's "Season 2" on the 17th of March 2022.

Game modes
4 game modes are available


 * Story mode
 * Time trial
 * Online battle
 * Instore multiplayer (2-4 players)

Characters

 * Shun Aiba (MF Ghost Collaboration)
 * Nobuhiko Akiyama
 * Wataru Akiyama
 * Akio Asakura (Wangan Midnight Collaboration)
 * Michael Beckenbauer (MF Ghost Collaboration)
 * Bunta Fujiwara
 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Koichiro Iketani
 * Seiji Iwaki
 * Kyoko Iwase
 * Atsuro Kawai
 * Kenji
 * Kai Kogashiwa
 * Miki
 * Kenta Nakamura
 * Takeshi Nakazato
 * Tomoyuki Tachi
 * Daiki Ninomiya
 * Kanata Rivington/Kanata Katagiri (MF Ghost Collaboration)
 * Smiley Sakai
 * Sakamoto
 * Mako Sato
 * Sayuki
 * Moroboshi Sena (MF Ghost Collaboration)
 * Tatsuya Shima (Wangan Midnight Collaboration)
 * Shingo Shoji
 * Kyoichi Sudo
 * Toru Suetsugu
 * Keisuke Takahashi
 * Ryosuke Takahashi
 * Itsuki Takeuchi

Story Mode
Unlike the Arcade Stage series, the player ocassionally has to race with one or two extra drivers. Despite this, in most cases the player only needs to beat the main opponent in order to advance.

Chapter 7
Added in Version 1.11.00

Chapter 8
Added in Version 1.11.00

Chapter 9
Added in 1.30.00 +A

Honda

 * Civic SiR-II (EG6)
 * Civic Type R (EK9) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Integra Type R (DC2) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * NSX (NA1) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * S2000 (AP1) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)

Mazda

 * Eunos Roadster (NA6CE) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Roadster RS (NB8C) (Version 1.30.00 +A onwards)
 * SAVANNA RX-7 Infini III (FC3S)
 * ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
 * RX-7 Type RS (FD3S) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Mazda RX-8 Type S (SE3P) (Version 1.20.00 onwards)

Mitsubishi

 * Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A)
 * Lancer Evolution IV RS (CE9A)
 * Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A) (Version 1.20.00 onwards)

Nissan

 * GT-R Nismo (R35)
 * 180SX Type II (RPS13)
 * Fairlady Z (S30)
 * Fairlady Z Version S (Z33) (Version 1.20.00 onwards)
 * SilEighty (RPS13)
 * Silvia K's (S13)
 * Silvia Q's (S14)
 * Silvia Spec-R (S15) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32)
 * Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Nür (BNR34) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)

Porsche

 * 718 Cayman GTS (982) (Version 1.30.00 onwards)
 * 911 Turbo 3.6 (964)

Subaru

 * BRZ S (ZC6) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8F)
 * WRX STI S207 NBR Challenge Package (VAB) (Version 1.40.00 onwards)

Suzuki

 * Cappuccino (EA11R) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)

Toyota

 * 86 GT (ZN6)
 * Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10) (Version 1.30.00 +A onwards)
 * Celica GT-Four (ST205)
 * Corolla Levin SR (AE85)
 * Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86)
 * GR Supra (DB42) (Version 1.30.00 onwards)
 * GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ “High performance” (GXPA16) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * MR2 G-Limited (SW20)
 * MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30) (Version 1.40.00 onwards)
 * Supra RZ (JZA80) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Sprinter Trueno 2door GT-APEX (AE86) (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)

First Official Broadcast
Three cars were voted on for inclusion by fans during the first official broadcast, they were:


 * Nissan Fairlady Z (S30) - 41.9% of the vote - the winner
 * Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 (964) - 22.5% of the vote
 * Isuzu Piazza (JR120) - 35.6% of the vote

Despite being the least voted for car of the three, the Porsche 964 was added alongside the Nissan S30 in the Wangan Midnight event. It is currently unknown if the Piazza will be added in the future.

Second Official Broadcast
Fourteen cars were voted on for inclusion by fans during the second official broadcast, they were:


 * Toyota Sprinter Trueno 2door GT-APEX (AE86) - 30% of the vote - the winner
 * Toyota Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10) - 2% of the vote
 * Toyota MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30) - 5% of the vote
 * Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) - 11% of the vote
 * Mazda RX-8 Type S (SE3P) - 9% of the vote
 * Mazda Roadster RS (NB8C) - 9% of the vote
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V RS (CP9A) - 3% of the vote
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR Tommi Makinen Edition (CP9A) - 5% of the vote
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A) - 4% of the vote
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR (CT9A) - 3% of the vote
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR (CZ4A) - 3% of the vote
 * Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GDBA) - 2% of the vote
 * Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GDBF) - 3% of the vote
 * Subaru WRX STI S207 NBR Challenge Package (VAB) - 11% of the vote

All of these cars are intended to be included in the game at a later point.

Courses

 * Lake Akina
 * Akagi
 * Akina
 * Irohazaka
 * Myogi
 * Usui
 * Akina (Snow)
 * Momiji Line (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Happogahara (Version 1.11.00 onwards)
 * Sadamine (Version 1.20.00 onwards)
 * Odawara (Version 1.30.00 onwards)
 * Tsuchisaka (Version 1.30.00 +A onwards)
 * Tsukuba (Version 1.40.00 onwards)

Soundtrack
Unlike the original Arcade Stage series, Avex is not involved with the game's soundtrack.

Wangan Midnight
A collaboration with Wangan Midnight was announced during the second "official live broadcast" with the "Devil Z" Nissan Fairlady Z S30 and the "Blackbird" Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 964 announced to be added to the game. The event officially began on April 22nd 2021 and ended June 30th 2021.

Touhou Project
A collaboration with the Touhou Project was announced on July 30th 2021. It adds several Toho Eurobeat songs, as well as costumes based on Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame. It started on August 5th, and was originally supposed to end on September 21st, though it was later pushed back to October 20th.

Lifeguard
A collaboration with the Japanese energy drink brand Lifeguard was announced on October 20th 2021. It added two body kits, both featuring a livery based on the design of the Lifeguard bottles, as well as several neon sets. It started October 21st.

MF Ghost
A collaboration with MF Ghost, Initial D's sequel, was announced during the fourth "official live broadcast" on December 22nd 2021. It introduced the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS and the GR Supra RZ DB42, and added the course Odawara. Players are able to challenge four racers from MF Ghost: Kanata Katagiri, Shun Aiba, Mikhail Beckenbauer, and Moroboshi Sena.

Sega Initial D Series 20th Anniversary
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Initial D Arcade Stage a promotion was held from April 14th 2022 onwards. Several in game items were available, such as keychains, garage skins, gauges in the style of the older games, under neon, background music, and avatar parts. Bunta Challenge also returned during this promotion.

Version 1.05
Released June 1st 2021


 * Addition of dress-up parts (including Pandem and Rauh-welt)
 * Tuning style appearance
 * Adjustments were made to the single combat boost, as it would originally cut out when you caught up to an opponent, making it difficult to pass
 * Adjustments were made to the difference in advantage so that it doesn't widen too much, as some users experienced being unable to catch up to their opponent for a certain period of time
 * Adjustments were made to cars behaviours, when a player pushed a rivals car into a wall only they would lose speed, now both players will lose speed
 * Adjustments were made to cars behaviours, blocking an opponent is now easier, as some users had trouble doing this.
 * Most cars had their battle score gains and penalties adjusted

Minor adjustments were made to this update due to a few bugs that effected battle score and the behaviour some cars, specifically the Corolla Levin AE85. These adjustments came into effect on June 8th 2021.

Version 1.11.00
Released July 15th 2021


 * 14 new vehicles added. These are:
 * Honda Civic Type R (EK9)
 * Honda Integra Type R (DC2)
 * Honda NSX (NA1)
 * Honda S2000 (AP1)
 * Eunos Roadster (NA6CE)
 * Mazda RX-7 Type RS (FD3S)
 * Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15)
 * Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34)
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Nür (BNR34)
 * Subaru BRZ S (ZC6)
 * Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R)
 * Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ “High performance” (GXPA16)
 * Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80)
 * Toyota Sprinter Trueno 2door GT-APEX (AE86)
 * Graphics for courses and cars have been upgraded
 * Two courses have been added. These are:
 * Momiji Line
 * Happogahara
 * Two new chapters (chapters 7 and 8) have been added to the story
 * A new rank has been added: Emerald.
 * Emerald rank unlocks the aura color Water and a new meter called Stuttgart.
 * New avatar parts have been added
 * Three new songs have been added
 * Dual Rozes - SOUND HOLIC vs Eurobeat Union feat Nana. Takahashi
 * Edge Of Time - SOUND HOLIC feat. 709sec.
 * God Only Knows - A-One feat. Mii
 * Balances have been made to instore and online battles

Version 1.12.00
Released August 5th 2021


 * Addition of paper cup customisation
 * The layout of the play stamp menu has been updated, allowing players to see the items they can get a lot easier
 * Adjustments have been made to the matchmaking
 * Several adjustments and bug fixes. These are:
 * The brightness of rear lights on cars at night has been adjusted
 * The tire position of the Nissan Fairlady Z (S30) has been moved to the furthest outside when equipped with the overfenders
 * The Panasports logo on the Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo's wheels has been changed
 * The shape of the door handle on the Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 has been adjusted
 * The headlights of the Honda Civic SiR-II have been adjusted
 * Fixed an issue where the roll bar would not appear on the Suzuki Cappuccino even when the upgrade was unlocked.
 * Fixed an issue where the blow off valve sound wouldn't play, and where the after-fire would not be shown on the Suzuki Cappuccino
 * Fixed an issue with the Suzuki Cappuccino's lights
 * Fixed an issue where time and ranking could be swapped around in local battles

Version 1.15.00
Released August 24th 2021


 * Addition of a new single player mode called "Fastest Theory on Public Roads", allowing you to have simulated 2 or 4 car battles against other players battle data
 * You can choose a partner out of a list of characters, winning races will increase your friendship level with them and can unlock different items depending on the character. They also give you advice for each course. The added partners are:
 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Koichiro Iketani
 * Keisuke Takahashi
 * Sayuki
 * Wataru Akiyama
 * After the player meets certain criteria they can face "powerhouse" rivals, powerful rivals that can give you lots of experience
 * New neon underglow mods have been added. These are:
 * Straight
 * Wave
 * Full Tune ticket fragments have been added, collecting 10 fragments gets you a Full Tune ticket
 * Balancing adjustments
 * Several adjustments and bug fixes. These are:
 * Fixed an issue where the NSX emblem was always red.
 * Fixed the problem where the hood color was not beige in some colors of the Eunos Roadster.
 * Fixed the problem that the stays of Super Wing TYPE II on the Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo were doubled to a total of four.
 * Fixed the problem that the texture of the front lip of the RX-7 Type RS was not carbon.
 * Fixed the problem where the headlight position adjustment and fog lamp discoloration of the 86GT (ZN6) may occur.
 * Fixed the problem that some polygons of the model were missing in the j・blood bonnet TYPE3 for the Toyota Sprinter Trueno 2door GT-APEX.
 * Some of the lines in Episode 2 of Chapter 8 have been corrected.
 * Some of the lines in Episode 2 of Chapter 8 have been corrected.

Version 1.16.00
Released September 7th 2021


 * Experience gained from online battles has been adjusted
 * The brightness of battles at night has been increased
 * Rival's cornering speed has been adjusted in Fastest Theory on Public Roads
 * Fixed an issue where the number of wins was not displayed on the online selection screen

Version 1.20.00
Released October 7th 2021


 * 3 new vehicles have been added:
 * Nissan Fairlady Z Version S (Z33)
 * Mazda RX-8 Type S (SE3P)
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A)
 * A new course, Sadamine, has been added
 * New dress up parts have been added for three vehicles:
 * Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6)
 * Pandem Ver.1.5 Wide Body Kit
 * Pandem Rear Wing Plus Parts Wing
 * Honda S2000 (AP1)
 * M&M Honda Hyper Wide Body Kit
 * M&M Honda Carbon GT Wing Type 03AJ
 * M&M Honda Plain Weave Carbon Bonnet With Duct All Carbon Type S1
 * M&M Honda All FRP Type S3 With SRP Bonnet Duct
 * Mazda RX-7 Type RS (FD3S)
 * Pandem Boss Wide Body Kit
 * Pandem Duckwing
 * New tuning styles hae been added for four cars:
 * Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20) - Bolt-on Supercharger
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32) - High Flow Turbo Tune
 * Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13) - High Flow Turbo Tune
 * Honda Integra Type R (DC2) - NA Mecha Tune
 * Three new partners have been added to the Fastest Theory on Public Roads mode
 * Seiji Iwaki
 * Kyoichi Sudo - unlocked when a 4WD car is bought
 * Takeshi Nakazato
 * Tuning is now available in the shop menu
 * Certain boost settings have been adjusted on Irohazaka after players said that it was difficult to overtake opponents
 * Several adjustments and bug fixes. These are:
 * Adjusted the leaf effects when using the shoulders on Happogahara
 * Fixed the tires when using the TE37V's on the Nissan Silvia Q's (S14)
 * Fixed an issue with the Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX's rear lights

Version 1.30.00
Released December 23rd 2021


 * Start of the Initial D The Arcade x MF Ghost collaboration
 * Addition of two new cars:
 * Toyota GR Supra RZ (DB42)
 * Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (982)
 * A bodykit for the GR Supra, the 3000GT Concept, has been added
 * The Toyota 86 GT (ZN6) now has a Bolt on Turbo tune.
 * A new course, Odawara, has been added to the game.
 * Three new songs have been added to the game:
 * Fever On The Road - A-One
 * Nitro Rainbow - SOUND HOLIC vs Eurobeat Union
 * Ignite The Power - SOUND HOLIC
 * Several adjustments and bug fixes. These are:
 * Waiting times for online matches have been reduced
 * "Akina super replay is now played"
 * Sound effects are now displayed when jumping in Sadamine
 * Adjusted the camera in story mode
 * Corrected an error where Kyoichi Sudo's release condition was different from what the player is told
 * Corrected some of the wheel names for the Honda Integra Type R DC2
 * Corrected the appearance of the Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo ER34's headlights in the rear-view mirror

+A Revision
Released January 27th 2022


 * Addition of two new cars
 * Toyota Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10)
 * Mazda Roadster RS (NB8C)
 * A new course, Tsuchisaka, has been added to the game
 * One new chapter (Chapter 9) has been added to the game
 * New tuning styles have been added for six cars:
 * Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86) - Bolt-on Supercharger
 * Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80) - High flow turbo tune
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Nür (BNR34) - Large caliber turbo tune
 * Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15) - High flow turbo tune
 * Mazda RX-7 Type RS (FD3S) - Rotary twin turbo tune
 * Subaru BRZ S (ZC6) - Bolt-on Supercharger

Version 1.31.00 +A

 * Several bug fixes
 * Distance between player and rival car is now measured correctly on Tsuchisaka Inbound
 * Correct parts now display when Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A) drivers select the Voltex Wing Type IV, players have been compensated with dress up tokens
 * Corrected color names for the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (982)

Season 2
Released March 17th 2022 alongside 1.40.00


 * Data from previous seasons that has been transferred:
 * Owned cars
 * Car tuning levels
 * Car dress-up parts
 * Customized items
 * Collected background music
 * Full Tune tickets + Full Tune ticket fragments
 * Money, avatar tokens and dress-up tokens
 * Progress in ranked mode
 * Progress of "PRIDE"
 * Runner grade
 * Story mode progress
 * Driver name
 * Affiliated store
 * Driving performance of all models have been updated based on the previous Season
 * Time trial records are now be separated into Season 1 and Season 2
 * Results of past online battles are now be separated into Season 1 and Season 2
 * Titles won in Season 1 are marked as such, you are able to get a Season 2 version by completing the same requirements
 * Players can change their driver name when switching seasons
 * Players were given special titles based on where they placed in the time trial rankings for each course (1st - 1000th)

Version 1.40.00
Released March 17th 2022 alongside Season 2


 * Addition of two new cars
 * Toyota MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30)
 * Subaru WRX STI S207 NBR Challenge Package (VAB)
 * Several car parts have been added
 * Blitz/Aero Speed R-Concept Wide Body Kit (Toyota GR Supra only)
 * Blitz/Aero Speed R-Concept Carbon Rear Wing (Toyota GR Supra only)
 * Sard GT-Wing 015
 * Voltex GT Wing Type 12.5 SN
 * Rays Volk Racing Wheel TE37V (Bronze)
 * Yokohama Advan Racing TC-4 (Racing Candy Red & Ring)
 * Yokohama Advan Racing TC-4 (Racing Gun Metallic & Ring)
 * Rays 57DR Luminous (Luminous Yellow)
 * A new course, Tsukuba, has been added to the game
 * New avatar parts have been added
 * Sapphire rank has been added to each mode. Reaching this rank unlocks:
 * Aura Color: Blue
 * "Classic" meter
 * Under-neon shape "Spark"
 * Runner grade "X" has been added
 * Time trial evaluation "MASTER +" has been added
 * Three new partners have been added to the Fastest Theory on Public Roads mode
 * Ryosuke Takahashi
 * Mako Sato
 * Shingo Shoji
 * When a players PRIDE value reaches a certain level they will unlock a new aura color
 * Online matchmaking has been adjust to take Sapphire level into account
 * Several adjustments and bug fixes. These are:
 * The red zone on the gauge "Stuttgart (White)" has been corrected for the Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85)
 * The gauge for the Mazda RX-7 Type R (FD3S) now displays correctly
 * Dress up parts on the Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6) no longer conflict with certain combinations
 * Effect now plays when a play stamp is acquired
 * The amount a car decelerates when the accelerator is released has been reduced
 * Gear ratios have been adjusted for cars with 6-speed transmissions to balance them better with 5-speeds
 * Front view camera has been adjusted to improve visibility
 * Most cars have had their power adjusted
 * Communication between arcades has been adjusted to improve the quality of online battles
 * Car behavior has been adjusted so that players are more easily able to block their opponents
 * Car behavior when a car is pushing another into a wall has been changed
 * Boost balance has been adjusted in all courses
 * Beginning of 20th anniversary event, items are available as part of the celebration

Version 1.41.00
Released April 27th 2022


 * Battle score adjustments to the online battle mode
 * Battle score adjustments to the in-store battle mode
 * Several bug fixes. These are:
 * Front fender is now properly displayed on the Toyota GR Supra (DB42) when the 3000 GT Concept Wide Body Kit is equipped.
 * Certain parts are now properly displayed for the Subaru WRX STI S207 NBR Challenge Package (VAB) and the Toyota 86 GT (ZN6).
 * Bunta Challenge was added during this update

+A Revision
Released June 13th 2022


 * All cars have been balanced for battles
 * Tuning styles have been added for the following cars:
 * Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85) - Bolt-on Supercharger
 * Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34) - Turbo removed
 * Honda S2000 (AP1) - Bolt-on Supercharger
 * Toyota GR Supra (DB42) - Turbo removed