So, I had the chance to try out all Sega Rally 2 versions, being PC, Dreamcast and Arcade (both Emulator and Real Arcade).
After intensively playing PC/DC versions of the game, I tested out the Arcade Cabinet version of Sega Rally 2 through Supermodel 3 Emulator and on Real Hardware as well, and I found out some differences between AC and PC/DC:
- Arcade Cabinet physics handle slightly different from PC/DC. The car is generally a bit more responsive than PC/DC versions, and jump physics are also generally more detailed and bumpy.
- Arcade Cabinet's car hitboxes (as well as 3D models) are slightly different from PC/DC. AC 3D Models/Hitboxes are generally thinner, while PC/DC's are wider.
- Track Layouts are slightly different between versions. An example of the track layout being different is Mountain, right before the hairpin: in the Arcade version, the dirt section continues up until the hairpin, while on PC/DC the dirt section gets replaced by a tarmac section after the turn before the hairpin. Another example is Riviera, specifically the last hairpin, where it's possible on Arcade to slide on it easier than on PC/DC. Timestamp for PC/DC: Timestamp for AC: Another example is Snowy, where the borders with piled snow are a bit tighter than PC/DC, and the hairpin turn is also easier to slide on Timestamp for PC/DC: Timestamp for AC:
Taking these facts into account, I was considering splitting the two versions into two subcategories for Arcade Championship and Arcade Practice tracks, being AC for Arcade Cabinet/Supermodel 3 runs, and PC/DC for PC and Dreamcast runs. To me, it seems reasonable, even if the times that could be achieved on both are similiar. Let me hear your opinion on this. The split would only be for Arcade to have a separate subcategory, PC and DC will stay unified.