Recently as of a few weeks ago, Top Racer came out as a full collection on Steam, and current gen console, which includes all 3 classic games and a new entry called Crossroads. The collection made it effectively easier to play in the modern day. For those who aren't emulation savvy, would that be possible as a viable option for those looking to try their hand at runs for this game, without invalidating the emulated & classic console runs?

It raises an interesting question on the matter. Understandable if emulation or classic console is still the way to go. But I'm looking at it from a logical standpoint of accessibility. Apologies for making the initial question too long.

From what I've played the game seems to have controller compatibility issues with TR2, for PS4 controllers. Sometimes it won't register inputs well if at all, although I rigorously press it. As for TG3K or TR1 I currently don't know if the same things happen. The music sometimes gets a little weird and could hinder potential issues.

If sometime when or if they decide to fix those issues, the steam version could be a valid option.

That's what I figured could be a potential issue. I know sometimes when these releases of collections are put up, there are controller issues. I'm using one of the Xbox controllers on Steam so I'll see how it fairs out, but I'm gonna take a stab and say it may have the same problems.

I'm with you: If those issues can be fixed, the steam version sounds like a great option.

I have the Top Racer Collection and did some quick tests, nothing too in-depth.

Apparently the car in Top Racer uses a little more gas, based on when I raced San Francisco in the red car, and the car ran out of gas a little further away from the pit.

So far there is nothing proven about Top Racer having better performance than SNES or emulator, just worse.

If the Top Racer version is faster than the SNES, the idea would be to create 2 subcategories for the existing categories, but it probably won't be necessary.

In short, whoever makes runs on Top Racer from TRC, and submits it here, will not have any problems, unless it's proven that it's more advantageous to play on the Collection than on SNES.

TRC = Japanese version.

Retroarch remains the best option for online console emulation, as it accepts any joystick and has a relay server.