Side by Side Special
Side by Side Special is a PlayStation racing game released in 1997 developed by Taito. It centers on driving and route control, vehicle control, and route judgment, with controls and information arranged around the directional pad, shoulder and face buttons, plus DualShock twin analog sticks and vibration where supported.
- AI score · out of 10
- 6.9 / 10
About this game
Side by Side Special is a PlayStation racing game centered on driving and route control, vehicle control, and route judgment. Tracks raise pressure through corners, rivals, and time targets, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Speed, track boundaries, and vehicle feedback determine driving readability, while early 3D graphics, pre-rendered backgrounds, CD audio, and full-motion video need to preserve targets and interface readability on a television. The genre-specific limitation is that visibility, collisions, steering precision, wheel support, or loading can limit consistency. Platform conditions also include disc loading, Memory Card saves, regional video standards, digital or analog control support, vibration, and dedicated peripherals affect original-hardware use. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.
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AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
Appealing mountain racing with over-sensitive steering.
The racing is direct: learn the corners and catch opponents before the timer expires. Time Attack offers a useful place to memorize routes without also defending a race position. Seasonal changes, gravel, snow and a selection of Japanese cars and unlockable vehicles give repeat runs variety, but the absence of modification prevents deeper tuning progression. Detailed cars, roadside scenery and particles are attractive, and individual engine sounds reinforce vehicle identity. Repetitive music and some shrill turbo effects are less pleasant. Steering is the main obstacle: even a reduced sensitivity setting can produce excessive corrections, especially on narrow passes. This is worthwhile for short arcade sessions and careful input practice, not immediate handling comfort or elaborate vehicle development.
Strengths
- Varied seasonal mountain courses
- Detailed cars and roadside scenery
- Time Attack supports route practice
Weaknesses
- Over-sensitive steering
- No tuning progression
- Repetitive music and shrill effects
Who it is for: Mountain-racing fans who enjoy short runs and input practice.
Play notes: Original Special, not Special 2000; later-edition control changes are not assumed.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Surfaces, seasons and unlocks add variety without a tuning layer. | Reviewed | 7.0 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Timed mountain races reward line learning and corner management. | Reviewed | 7.2 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Car and road detail are convincing, offset by repetitive music and shrill turbo effects. | Reviewed | 7.5 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Adjustable sensitivity does not fully resolve over-sensitive cornering. | Reviewed | 5.4 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Taito
- Publisher
- Taito
- Release date
- 1997
- Platforms
- PlayStation
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Racing · Primary genre
- Tags
- Arcade StyleTop-downSolo-friendlyThird PersonFirst PersonReplayableFast-pacedDodge3D GraphicsDriving and RacingShort SessionsPick-up and Play
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- Single player
- Perspectives
- First personThird personTop-down
Release editions
- PlayStationWorldwide1997
Game gallery
Sources
Not provided