OutRun 2019 (Japan)
What is OutRun 2019 (Japan)?
OutRun 2019 is a 1993 racing game for the Sega Genesis that was released exclusively in Japan. It was developed by SIMS and published by Sega, continuing the arcade-inspired OutRun lineage but shifting the setting to a cyberpunk future. The title can be misleading - this isn't a direct port of the arcade OutRun or a 2019-themed remake, but rather a standalone entry that adapts the series' driving formula for the 16-bit console generation. If you're importing it today, be aware the menus and text are entirely in Japanese, though the gameplay is straightforward enough to navigate without translation.
The player drives a sports car through a series of branching highway stages, each with a time limit that must be beaten to progress. Unlike the original OutRun which focused purely on speed and cornering, OutRun 2019 introduces weapon pickups like missiles and mines to slow down rival cars. You also have a nitro boost that refills by drafting opponents or collecting items. The core loop involves choosing a route at split junctions, managing your timer, and using weapons tactically to stay ahead. The controls are responsive, and the game scales difficulty by tightening time allowances rather than making roads more treacherous.
For retro enthusiasts, OutRun 2019 is worth checking out as an oddity in Sega's Genesis library - it's a rare Japan-exclusive that blends arcade racing with combat elements before that became common in games like Road Rash or Carmageddon. It lacks the technical polish of top-tier Genesis racers like Virtua Racing or Super Hang-On, but its fast pace and unique weapon system give it a distinct personality. The soundtrack and visuals hold up reasonably well, though the Japanese-only text means some menu options remain cryptic unless you look up a translation guide. It's a niche title that rewards curiosity more than it rewards raw skill.
How to Play OutRun 2019 (Japan) Online
Getting Started
When you first boot up OutRun 2019, the title screen appears entirely in Japanese. Press Start to proceed to the main menu. Use Arrow Keys to highlight options and press X to confirm. The first option is likely "Game Start" or "Single Race"; select it to begin. You'll then choose a car from a handful of different models - each has different top speed, acceleration, and handling. Pick one that feels balanced, as the time limits are tight from the start.
Once the race begins, you accelerate with X and steer with the D-Pad. Your goal is to reach the checkpoint within the countdown timer while avoiding or destroying rival cars. You can collect red weapon pickups on the road to get missiles or mines (cycle weapons with Select, fire with A). Use nitro boost (Z) to gain a quick speed burst, but watch the gauge - it refills by staying close to opponents or passing over blue recharge strips.
At each fork in the road, a sign appears showing two stage names in kanji. The top name is the left fork, the bottom is the right fork. The signs can be hard to read if you don't know Japanese, but the general rule is that routes with more red icon markers (tough traffic) are harder, while those with fewer are easier. If you crash or run out of time, you get a continue prompt; press Start to retry. Menus for options and high scores are in Japanese, but the core race loop is simple enough to pick up through trial and error.
OutRun 2019 (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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