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Initial D Special Stage

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Initial D Special Stage (頭文字イニシャルD Special Stage, Inisharu D Special Stage) is a 2003 racing video game and a home console port of Initial D Arcade Stage Ver. 2, developed by Sega Rosso and Tose Software and published by Sega Corporation for the PlayStation 2 in Japan and Asia. It is the ninth game to be based on the Initial D series.

The game was announced on December 3, 2002, during a strategic sales presentation held by Sega in Tokyo as part of their spring sales campaign for 2003.[4] Initially slated for release on March 27, 2003, the release was delayed due to concerns that the original release date did not allow adequate time to achieve the desired improvements in software content and quality. As such, the release date was moved to June 26, 2003, where the game was eventually released.[5][6]

Like Arcade Stage Ver. 2, the game includes the Legend of the Streets story mode, Time Attack mode, and a new feature called Introduction of Iketani-Senpai Car, in which Koichiro Iketani explains the various car models featured in the game. The Legend of the Streets mode has been updated to cover the story up to Volume 22 of the manga. The game also features voice acting by the anime's voice cast, along with manga-style animations that incorporate panels from the Initial D manga to narrate the story before and after each battle.[7]

Two new characters have been added to the story mode, Atsuro Kawai and Tsukamoto, while one new car, the Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34), has been introduced. Additionally, five new courses have been added: Enna Skyline, Momiji Line, Shomaru Pass, and the full-length versions of Usui Pass and Myogi.

Premise[]

Just like the Arcade games, the main objective for the player is to race against different opponents from the manga. However, unlike the Arcade Stage series, there is a special story mode in the game. This story mode requires players to play as Takumi Fujiwara and Keisuke Takahashi as you replay the different events that happened in the manga.

During cutscenes the characters (voiced by their respective voice actors) talk and interact with the player prior to the race, a first for the series.

Characters[]

In alphabetical order:

Legend of the Streets[]

Myogi (Easy)[]

Opponent Opponent's Car Skill Level Direction Time Conditions
Itsuki Takeuchi Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85) 1/10 Counter-Clockwise Day Dry
Takumi Fujiwara Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85) 2/10 Clockwise Day Dry
Shingo Shoji Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6) 4/10 Counter-Clockwise Night Dry
Takeshi Nakazato Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32) 5/10 Clockwise Night Dry

Usui (Normal)[]

Opponent Opponent's Car Skill Level Direction Time Conditions
Two Guys From Tokyo Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15) 2/10 Counter-Clockwise Day Dry
Nobuhiko Akiyama Toyota Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10) 3/10 Clockwise Day Dry
Mako Sato & Sayuki Nissan SilEighty (RPS13) 6/10 Counter-Clockwise Night Dry
Sakamoto Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R) 7/10 Clockwise Night Wet

Akagi (Hard I)[]

Opponent Opponent's Car Skill Level Direction Time Conditions
Kyoko Iwase Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S) 3/10 Uphill Day Dry
Kenta Nakamura Nissan Silvia Q's (S14) 4/10 Downhill Day Wet
Keisuke Takahashi Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S) 7/10 Uphill Night Dry
Ryosuke Takahashi Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 Infini III (FC3S) 8/10 Downhill Night Dry

Akina (Hard II)[]

Opponent Opponent's Car Skill Level Direction Time Conditions
Kenji Nissan 180SX Type X (RPS13) 2/10 Uphill Day Dry
Koichiro Iketani Nissan Silvia K's (S13) 3/10 Downhill Day Dry
Wataru Akiyama Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86) 8/10 Uphill Night Dry
Takumi Fujiwara Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) 9/10 Downhill Night Dry
Bunta Fujiwara Subaru Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8F) 10/10 Downhill Night Dry

Happogahara (Expert I)[]

Opponent Opponent's Car Skill Level Direction Time Conditions
Toru Suetsugu Eunos Roadster (NA6CE) 4/10 Outbound Night Dry
Daiki Ninomiya Honda Civic Type R (EK9) 8/10 Inbound Night Dry
Smiley Sakai Honda Integra Type R (DC2) 8/10 Outbound Night Dry
Tomoyuki Tachi Honda Civic Type R (EK9) 9/10 Inbound Night Dry

Irohazaka (Expert II)[]

Opponent Opponent's Car Skill Level Direction Time Conditions
Seiji Iwaki Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A) 6/10 Downhill Day Dry
Kyoichi Sudo Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A) 7/10 Downhill Day Dry
Kai Kogashiwa Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20) 8/10 Downhill Night Dry
Keisuke Takahashi Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S) 9/10 Downhill Night Dry
Takumi Fujiwara Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) 10/10 Downhill Night Dry

Story[]

Akina's Eight-Six[]

As Takumi Fujiwara in the Eight-Six

Stage Goal Course Music Reward
Lets Buy an Eight-Six (Part 1) Don't spill the water Akina Space Boy - Dave Rodgers
Lets Buy an Eight-Six (Part 2) Reach the finish in 3:40 Speedy Speed Boy - Marko Polo Speedy Speed Boy - Marko Polo
The Ultimate Tofu Vendor Drift Gain a 40km lead over Keisuke Takahashi in 2:00 No One Sleep in Tokyo - Edo Boys No One Sleep in Tokyo - Edo Boys
Dogfight Beat Keisuke Takahashi to the finish line Running In The 90's - Max Coveri
Iketani's Valuable Experience Raise Koichiro Iketani's fear meter to 100% Don't Stop the Music - Lou Grant
Stupid Father, Bring Back the Eight-Six!! Beat Kenji to the finish line in 3:40 Remember Me - Leslie Parrish Remember Me - Leslie Parrish
Battle to the Limit Beat Takeshi Nakazato to the finish line Back On The Rocks - Mega NRG Man Back On The Rocks - Mega NRG Man
Deathmatch of Madness Beat Shingo Shoji to the finish line Don't Stand So Close - Dr. Love Don't Stand So Close - Dr. Love
Sparkling Line Cross!! Beat Ryosuke Takahashi to the finish line Beat Of The Rising Sun - Dave Rodgers
Hot Winds! Mad Racing! Usui Pass  Beat Impact Blue to the finish line Usui Love Is In Danger - Priscilla
Know the Fear of the Rain Battle Gain a 200m lead over Kenta Nakamura Myogi Killing My Love - Leslie Parrish
High Tech vs. Super Technique Beat Seiji Iwaki to the finish line Akina Grand Prix - Mega NRG Man
Let Takumi Do the Driving!! Lift Natsuki Mogi's mood by beating the couple Akagi White Light - Mr.Groove White Light - Mr.Groove
Suicidal Fireball Battle Don't let Kyoichi Sudo gain a 100m lead Save Me - Leslie Parrish Save Me - Leslie Parrish
The Seal Shall Be Released Reach the finish line in 3:30 Akina Burning Desire - Mega NRG Man Burning Desire - Mega NRG Man
Hunch of Awakening Round 1: Stay within 100m of Wataru Akiyama

Round 2: Don't get overtaken

Round 3: Stay within 100m

Shomaru Get Me Power - Mega NRG Man Get Me Power - Mega NRG Man
Challenge!! Irohazaka Reach the goal without being overtaken by Kyoichi Sudo Irohazaka Mikado - Dave McLoud Mikado - Dave McLoud
Further Inside Corner!! Beat Kai Kogashiwa to the finish line Crazy For Love - Dusty Crazy For Love - Dusty
Blazing Course Record Reach the finish line within 3:15 Akina Stay - Victoria Stay - Victoria

Akagi RedSuns[]

As Keisuke Takahashi in his RX-7 FD3S unless specified

Stage Goal Course Music Reward
Eve of the Rivals Don't let Takeshi Nakazato overtake Akina Night of Fire - Niko
Conflicting Pride!! Pass Takeshi Nakazato during the fourth section Myogi 100 - Dave Rodgers 100 - Dave Rodgers
Trial Battle Beat Seiji Iwaki to the finish line Akagi Grand Prix - Mega NRG Man
Breakthrough of Fear!! As Ryosuke Takahashi: Beat Kyoichi Sudo to the finish line Don't You (Forget About My Love) - Sophie Don't You (Forget About My Love) - Sophie
A Critical Moment for the FD!! Leave Wataru Akiyama behind West End Guy - Digital Planet West End Guy - Digital Planet

Project D[]

As either Takumi Fujiwara or Keisuke Takahashi

Stage Goal Course Music Reward
Who is the More Reckless! As Takumi: Gain a 150m advantage over Toru Suetsugu Momiji Line Crazy For Your Love - Morris Crazy For Your Love - Morris
Full Throttle Hill Climb!! As Keisuke: Beat Atsuro Kawai to the finish line I Need Your Love - Dave Simon I Need Your Love - Dave Simon
Don't Look Behind As Takumi: Beat Daiki Ninomiya without exceeding 9000rpm Enna Skyline Heartbeat - Nathalie
Takumi Attacks!! As Takumi: Beat Daiki Ninomiya before your tires lose grip Station to Station - Derreck Simons
A Turbo FF Driving Man As Keisuke: Beat Smiley Sakai to the finish line Big In Japan - Robert Patton Big In Japan - Robert Patton
Blind Attack As Takumi:

Round 1: Don't let Tomoyuki Tachi get more than 100m ahead

Round 2: Beat your opponent using a Blind Attack

Happogahara Round 1: Crazy Night - Boys Band

Round 2: Express Love - Mega NRG Man

Crazy Night - Boys Band & Express Love - Mega NRG Man
A Nightmarish Machine As Takumi: Win Akina Beat Of The Rising Sun - Dave Rodgers

Cars[]

Honda[]

Mazda[]

Mistubishi[]

Nissan[]

Subaru[]

Suzuki[]

Toyota[]

Courses[]

Soundtrack[]

Use Song Artist
Opening Gamble Rumble m.o.v.e
Select Live In Tokyo Kelly Wright
Myogi (day) Space Boy Dave Rodgers
Myogi (night) Night Of Fire Niko
Usui (day) Don't Stop The Music Lou Grant
Usui (night) Love Is In Danger Priscilla
Akagi (day) Killing My Love Leslie Parrish
Akagi (night) Running In The 90s Max Coveri
Akina (day) Grand Prix Mega NRG Man
Akina (night) Beat Of The Rising Sun Dave Rodgers
Happogahara Heartbeat Nathalie
Irohazaka Rock Me To The Top Dusty
Irohazaka (Project D) Station To Station Derreck Simons
Shin Myogi 100 Dave Rodgers
Shin Usui Stay Victoria
Shomaru Pass Get Me Power Mega NRG Man
Momiji Line I Need Your Love Dave Simon
Enna Skyline Big In Japan Robert Patton
Other Speedy Speed Boy Marko Polo
No One Sleep In Tokyo Edo Boys
Remember Me Leslie Parrish
Back On The Rocks Mega NRG Man
Don't Stand So Close Dr. Love
White Light Mr. Groove
Save Me Leslie Parrish
Burning Desire Mega NRG Man
Mikado Dave McLoud
Crazy For Love Dusty
Don't You (Forget About My Love) Sophie
West End Guy Digital Planet
Crazy For Your Love Morris
Crazy Night Boys Band
Express Love Mega NRG Man
Ending The Race Is Over Dave Rodgers

Gallery[]

Miscellaneous[]

Promotional Material[]

Sega Spring 2003 Sales Strategy Presentation[]

Screenshots from the game's announcement at Sega's Spring 2003 Sales Strategy Presentation on December 3, 2002.[8]

Flyers and Posters[]

Commercials and Videos[]

Initial D Special Stage [SLPM-65268][]

Initial D Special Stage [SLPM-68509][]

Limited edition release by Kodansha as part of a sweepstakes.

Initial D Special Stage PlayStation 2 the Best [SLPM-74420][]

Initial D Special Stage [SLAJ-25008][]

Export release in Asian territories: The game remains entirely in Japanese, but the manual booklet is in English and Chinese.

Logicool GT Force Racing Wheel [LPRC-10002][]

Swiss manufacturer Logitech (known as Logicool in Japan) released a limited edition of their GT Force racing wheels for the game on June 26, 2003.[9] Originally designed for Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, the wheel included an attachment that allowed it to be used on the player’s lap.[10]

Initial D Special Stage Memory Card[]

Japanese video game peripheral manufacturer HORI released two PlayStation 2 memory cards on June 26, 2003. Each memory card had a capacity of eight megabytes and was accompanied by a memory card case capable of storing up to four memory cards. The designs of the memory cards and case featured two variations: the Takumi version and a Keisuke version.[11]

Initial D Special Stage Trial [SLPM-60204][]

Initial D Special Stage Special Demo [SLPM-60205][]

Initial D Special Stage Fastest on Public Roads Manual[]

Initial D Special Stage Fastest on Public Roads Manual (頭文字イニシャルD Special Stage公道最速マニュアル, Inisharu D Special Stage Kōdō Saikyoku Manyuaru) is a strategy guidebook for Initial D Special Stage that was released on June 27, 2003, a day after the game’s release.[12] It delves into and explains the driving techniques that can be utilized in the game, and focuses on the best vehicles. The guide also includes information on the eleven mountain passes in the game, such as Myogi and Usui Pass, detailing the best lines and braking points, as well as data and parts lists for all vehicles.[13]

Reception[]

The game sold 167,645 units in its first week, with its sales at the end of the year totaling an estimated 267,091 units.[14] On February 26, 2004, the game was re-released under PlayStation’s budget range, the Best.[3] This release saw an estimated sales of 79,601 units by the end of December 2004, with total sales across all versions estimated at 346,692 units as of December 26, 2004.[14]

Trivia[]

  • The select sound was reused from the other Sega game "Sonic Adventure 2".
  • The developer was changed from Sega Rosso to Hitmaker Co., Ltd. in the PlayStation 2 the Best release.

References[]

  1. ↑ Fujiwara Tofu Shop (August 31, 2018). "Initial D: Special Stage - Story Mode - Part #31 - A Nightmarish Machine (ENG SUB)". Youtube. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  2. ↑ "頭文字D Special Stage ソフトウェア" (ja). PlayStation.com(Japan). Archived from the original on October 21, 2006. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "頭文字D Special Stage PlayStation2 the Best ソフトウェア" (ja). PlayStation.com(Japan). Archived from the original on December 2, 2006. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kenji Saeki (December 3, 2002). "PS2「VF4 EVO」、「頭文字D Special Stage」発表!セガ「2003 春商戦 戦略発表会」開催" (ja). GAME Watch. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  5. ↑ Minoru Funatsu (January 24, 2003). "セガ、クオリティアップを理由にPS2「頭文字D Special Stage」の発売日を3カ月延期" (ja). GAME Watch. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ Minoru Funatsu (January 24, 2003). "セガ「2003 春商戦 戦略発表会」" (ja). GAME Watch. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  7. ↑ Kenji Saeki (July 3, 2003). "★PS2ゲームレビュー★「頭文字D Special Stage」" (ja). GAME Watch. Retrieved on February 8, 2025.
  8. ↑ Kenji Saeki (December 3, 2002). "セガ、最新ソフトタイトルスクリーンショット集". GAME Watch. Retrieved on February 10, 2025.
  9. ↑ "「GT FORCE 頭文字Dバージョン」予約受付開始" (ja). Logicool. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  10. ↑ Minoru Funatsu (January 7, 2002). "ロジクール「GT FORCE」、セガの「頭文字D Special Stage」" (ja). GAME Watch. Retrieved on February 7, 2025.
  11. ↑ "ソフトと合わせて購入しておきたい！『サカつく3』『頭文字D』の特製メモカが登場" (ja). 電撃文庫 (May 28, 2003). Retrieved on March 26, 2025.
  12. ↑ "頭文字D Special Stage 公道最速マニュアル 講談社ゲームBOOKS" (ja). BOOKOFF. Retrieved on February 18, 2025.
  13. ↑ "頭文字D Special Stage公道最速マニュアル (講談社ゲームBOOKS)" (ja). Amazon. Retrieved on February 18, 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Game Data Library. Retrieved on February 8, 2025.

External Links[]

Navigation[]

Initial D Games
Arcade Arcade Stage • Arcade Stage Ver. 2 • Arcade Stage Ver. 3 • Arcade Stage 4 • Arcade Stage 5 • Arcade Stage 6 AA • Arcade Stage 7 AAX • Arcade Stage 8 Infinity • Arcade Stage Zero • The Arcade • Pachislot Initial D • P Initial D
Nintendo Initial D Gaiden • Initial D Another Stage • Initial D: Perfect Shift Online
Sega Initial D: Fastest Public Road Legend
PlayStation Initial D • Ryosuke Takahashi's Fastest Typing-theory • Initial D Special Stage • Initial D Street Stage • Initial D Extreme Stage
PC Ryosuke Takahashi's Fastest Typing-theory • Fastest Typing in Kanto Project • Initial D Mountain Vengeance • ZipZaps Special Edition: Featuring Initial D
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