Dangers with digital distribution are evident with this game. When Sega's and Ferrari's license expired this year the game had to pulled from both XBLA and PSN. PSN version already has been removed. The Xbox later this year. For people who have purchased the game can of course always download the game from the download history, this at least the case with XBLA version.
Origins of Outrun Online Arcade lie in the fine Outrun 2 game which was released for Xbox/PS2/GC/PSP in 2003/2004. Which again is of course the sequel for the classic Outrun game. Outrun 2 was generally well received. Sega managed to recycle old arcade idea with something new in form of the awesome drifting feature. Outrun Online Arcade is no different to Outrun 2, just more stripped version with online function and HD graphics.
Outrun has always been king of the arcade racers with its shiny Ferrari's and sandy beaches. Players goal is to get Ferrari and girlfriend sitting next to you over the goal line. Tracks are divided in to 15 different stages. In end of each stage two options are given. Left for easy and right for hard. Unchanged from the original Outrun. Game modes are the normal Outrun mode where player just need to finish get to any of the 5 goals. Other modes are Heart Attack Mode where girlfriend is asking for different tasks, or minigames if you like, to be done while driving. Such as drifting as much as possible during a section or driving on blue part of the track. These are rewarded with hearts that again add-up to each stage score. Other mode is normal Time Attack Mode as well continuous outrun and continuous Time Attack. In the two latter modes all stages driven in one race.
The main addition to this XBLA/PSN release is the introduction of online mode. This done by either creating a own race or joining a existing one. The racing is done either in the outrun or the continuous Outrun modes. Up to six players in one game allowed. Game was released in April 2009 but you still can find the odd racing companions online. The experience itself is very polished. Fast paced and focus on fun the same way as in the single player. No collision with other players is possible since these are appearing as ghosts. Only complaint happens during the outrun mode where the race leader is deciding which stage to go to (left/right). The "wrong" stage get closed off. If the following car is trailing the 1st car close, or think its leading, and decided to take the other stage this will reset the player on wrong stage. The second place car is reset back to the main track after slight delay. And with lower speed than originally.
Graphics wise Sega has done fine job updating the game to HD. Each of the Ferrari is realistic and the scenery has the same holiday feel as the original Outrun had. Just with more detail and action on the screen.
The music is slightly disappointing. The three classic songs: Splash Wave, Magical Sound Shower and Passing Breeze can be chosen. As well as two decent songs from Outrun 2. Plus two completely new songs with a vocals(?). Old tracks have been (unfortunately) remixed to more "modern" sound. The fine unlockables from Outrun 2. Ie the old 8-bit songs are gone.
Few words on the gameplay. Which for such arcade heavy game is the major hook of course. There is the usual time limit on each stage and tons of traffic on the road that need to be dodged. The biggest improved already introduced on Outrun 2 is the excellent drifting mechanism. Drifting is triggered by quick touch on brakes (or gear change on manual transmission) and this can be controlled easily to handle each corner. This wont impact the speed other than the fine macchina wont accelerate of course. This brings sense of speed with the crazy slides player can pull/
I have hard time recommending this game since in very short time it is not possible to buy this anymore. Other than recommending for collectors that is. This is still a fine game but you would get more game out of actual Outrun 2 game. The only thing that this game improves is the HD graphics which for the 15 stages is quite not enough.