Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune (湾岸ミッドナイト MAXIMUM TUNE) is an arcade racing game based on the manga Wangan Midnight, which follows street racing on Tokyo's Metropolitan highway.

The latest edition in the series is Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX Plus.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune
In the original version, the gameplay is split into two modes, namely the story mode and the time attack mode. The player has to go through the story mode in order to earn points to upgrade their car, should they decide to use a magnetic card to store the information.

The entire story mode consists of 20 stages looped for three times, making a total of 60 stages. The maximum power a car can attain is 810 hp. The routes featured include the C1 route and the New Belt Line, making a total of 4 tracks as each one is available in the opposite direction.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2
The first upgrade of the original game, entitled "Maximum Tune 2," saw the addition of the Hakone Shindō expressway in Hakone, the 10 outrun game mode, a class system and some more choices on tuning the car. The story mode has been expanded to 80 stages (with stage 41-80 based on the plots in the manga), and a change in awarding the vehicle upgrades.

The car attains a maximum of 800 hp when the player completes the first 40 stages of the game, but he may choose to continue the entire 80 stages in the story mode. Should he completes the story mode without a loss, he gains 2 extra tuning pages, and 1 if he had lost during the challenge. A patch is available later on the cabinet also known as Version B, and awards the extra tuning page to the latter one if the car has completed 5000 km.

The 10 outrun mode is played such that the player needs to overtake 10 opponents in quick succession. There are 10 levels available in each route, each successive level has an increase on power and difficulty. A player unlocks a special level when completing all other levels in the highest rank on a given track, which involves outrunning the entire list of opponents.

The tracks featured in this game include the C1 route, New Belt Line, Hakone, a narrow and winding mountain road, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Highway. There are 7 courses total, each being in the opposite direction except for the TMH.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3
The third iteration of the series saw a large expanding to the game, which includes several tracks, an expanded lineup of cars, a new game mode, ghost car system and an extensive collection of visual parts. The game is now run on System N2, which the older cabinets can be upgraded to.

The story mode still consists of 80 stages, but are now fully integrated with the story. The tuning system is tweaked as well such that it awards the 3 extra tuning pages to the player when he completes stage 50, 60 and 80 respectively, regardless of being undefeated or not. This means that the car will have 820 hp at maximum. As with the previous editions, this is the only game mode that the player will earn points for upgrading the car in terms of performance.

The ghost battle mode is the newly added game mode in this iteration. In this mode the player is pitted against a ghost car recorded earlier in the game. Like the 10 outrun mode, the opponents are separated into 10 classes based on the power level. As a player plays the level, his driving is recorded and becomes the data of a ghost car.

A particular part of the ghost battle mode is to challenge the best ghost, recorded from the drive of the top player. If a player manages to beat the best ghost, his drive becomes the best ghost on the track instead and is featured on the "Top Driver" screen in the demo mode. Playing the ghost battle mode allows the player to earn parts to enhance the appearance of their car, including various wheels, aero sets, spoilers, neon tubes, and decals.

The tracks featured include the C1, New Belt Line, the Wangan line, the Yokohane line, and the Hanshin Expressway in Osaka and Hakone. The Wangan line and the Yokohane line are extended stages based on the Metropolitan highway, and forms the Kanagawa portion of the highway. There are 13 courses available, with each (with the exception of Osaka, Tokyo Metropolitan, and Kanagawa Metropolitan) being in the opposite direction.

Maximum Tune 3 was when the copy-card trade began to expand exponentially, as the means to do so were simple, and the player-base began to inflate. It is estimated that in this version, the peek for the number of players in the series was the greatest overall, as later versions dwindled the popularity. CHITO!! The copying process of MT3 was fast and simple. One would tape the end of a working card, insert it, then pull it out with relatively no force once the beginning stats screen displayed. Then, a disused card, working card or blank card was inserted (pushed in by a plastic non-Maximum Tune card), and the game would write over the data already on the card.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX
In December 2008,the next edition in the Maximum Tune series, entitled Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX, was released. The new features included the new Nagoya Expressway course, an increasement of horsepower to 825 hp, 100 story stages and even more of them, and new vehicles: Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GRB), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR, Mazda MX-5 and Nissan 370Z. Also a new feature is a mechanism that prevents players from making copies of the game's magnetic cards.

Some changes had been observed:


 * Version 1 and version 2 data cards can't be transferred over, only version 3 data cards can be transferred over.
 * There is an additional "DX" printed on top right of the data card to differentiate between MT3 and 3DX cards
 * Official car in Time Attack mode is removed.
 * Shaded MT3 cards are unshaded when transferred over, giving players a chance to finish the uncompleted stages in story mode undefeated without having to start over from stage 1.
 * In version C. of MT3DX, if you get defeated anywhere in storymode, you will be shaded regardless of unshaded status.
 * Hakone outbound and inbound are combined into one course in time attack mode
 * Several Fauna species are used as backgrounds for various amounts of Outrun Stars. The list below is a rough indication of the image.
 * 0 ~ 999 Stars -  Blank
 * 1000 ~ 1999 -  Falcon
 * 2000 ~ 3999 -  Brumby/Horse
 * 4000 ~ 6999 -  Scorpion
 * 7000 ~ 9999 -  Wolf
 * 10000 ~ 14999 -  Hornet
 * 15000 ~ 19999 -  Shark/s
 * 20000 ~ 29999 -  Tiger
 * 30000 ~ 39999 -  Tarantula
 * 40000 ~ 69999 -  Dragon(Chinese)


 * Maximum Tune 3 DX is the version in which Maxi Coins and Stars were "maxed out". The screen can only display a maximum number of 69 999 stars/coins. Of which, X326X was the first to reach this amount of coins, and CHUN*(original) was the first to reach 69 999 stars. Once the screen has no more room, any additional coins/stars which are achieved are still counted(as proved in the beginning stats windows). However, when the badges are to be added to the amount, they are magnified on the screen(as per usual), and as this occurs, the amount which is magnified is seen to be taken off the last 1, 2, 3 or 10 coins/stars at the bottom of the screen. They are then replaced by the magnified badges, and 69 999 is then reached once-more.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX Plus
Maximum Tune 3 DX Plus sees the addition of the KPGC10 Nissan Skyline GT-R and the Nissan GT-R into the vehicle lineup, the new Fukuoka Expressway Course, 17 new dress up parts for players to further customize their vehicles, and 4 new music tracks. It is to be noted that with the GT-R cannot be dressed up. The game was released in March 2010.

An additional 17 dressup levels have also been added; including straight neons, spotted neons and rims. The opponents in ghost mode (especially king-holders) are much stronger than in 3DX - slightly comparing to the MT3 ghosts. In DX it was possible to block and overtake quite easily.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4
Released in Japan in late 2011, Maximum Tune comes out with a new card system. The magnetic cards are gone replaced with plastic cards that no longer need to be repurchased after 60 plays. The new cards can also hold up to 100 cars each. New max horsepower goes up to 830, however from 800-830 is only two tuning bars now, instead of four that was seen in 3DX. To go from a stock car to fully tuned now takes 60 wins in story mode.

New cars added were: Chevy Corvette ZR1, Mazda RX-7 1st gen, Mitsubishi Starion, Nissan Skyline 370 Coupe (Infiniti G370), Subaru Legacy B4 (BM9), and Toyota Crown Athlete. The Toyota Corolla and Chevy Camaro are special edition cars that were available for a short time

The ghost battle system has been redesigned so now you can battle players ghosts from across all of Japan. You are no longer limited to only the game center you are playing in. With this addition the Kings you face are now the fastest players in Japan. 22 new dress up parts have been added as well taking the total from 63 parts in 3DX to now 85 parts. Some new parts to look out for are carbon trunks and GT style sticker sets

Teams are added into the game now as well. Your team banner will be displayed on the top of the front and rear windshields. Up to 9 letters are allowed for the team names.

With the new cards, Wangan Midnight has added a Tuning Center that allows you to change parts around on any of your cars at anytime. This tuning center is a separate console from the game and also lets you check and adjust your playing settings just as you can in game after your card data has been loaded.It was released in Asia 1 year later.

Magnetic Card System
Like Initial D Arcade Stage, this game employs magnetic cards that store the data of the player (car type, tuning, story mode progress, time attack, outrun status). Also as in Initial D, it is not backwards compatible (i.e. a WMMT2 card cannot be used on WMMT1); the user must upgrade his or her card, which is permanent, if he wishes to transfer his/her data from WMMT1 onto WMMT2, and after 50 plays (60 in WMMT2), a player must renew his/her card. However, unlike Initial D, once a player completes 20 story mode stages in WMMT2, his/her card will be ejected, but retain the game data as a backup. This allows for two clone cards, or "discards," each with up to 20 points of tuning to be made. The discards will be of the same car model and color. Name, rims, and Aero/carbon-parts tuning can be chosen again (unless driving a car with only one setting, namely the Corolla and Hiace {Only in Maximum Tune 2; these vehicles are customizable like the normal vehicles in MT3/MT3DX}). In Version 3Dx however it will change to a PRESENT card, where the current setting (example HP, dress-up) will be allowed for 5 plays before it changes to a normal discarded. Note also it has only allows 1 "discards" instead of 2 in version 3. In most movie theaters, the players cannot use magnetic cards.

The player has the option of buying a magnetic card or select a car prior to racing, with the basic horsepower value and name; In version 3Dx the name will be "GUEST" if the player did not input any characters during the naming option.

In the WMMT series, the magnetic card also allows the user to configure basic settings prior to racing. These include:


 * Transmission AT/MT
 * Retire YES/NO (Applicable in ALL MODES)
 * Volume (There are 4 settings: off, minimum, mild, loud, this only affects the bgm as stated VOLUME)
 * 3 Types Of Tachometer (including the default meter of the car), which only applies to cars with an undefeated story mode record in MT2 transferred to MT3 (Racing Meter), or has an undefeated story mode record in MT3DX (Special Meter).
 * Soundtracks of 3 choices (Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX/3, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 1/2, and Wangan Midnight R)
 * (NEW) Password data to be print on the card option : NONE, Mileage, Time Attack
 * (NEW) Players are unable to copy cards, due to the new Anti-Copy system

Maximum Tune 1

 * Gemballa 3.8RS(Only Playable In Japanese Version)
 * Gemballa RSR(Only Playable In Japanese Version)
 * Mazda RX-7 Type R/Bathurst R (FD3S) How To Choose R Bathurst R: Choose YELLOW as your FIRST COLOR
 * Mazda RX-7 GT-X (FC3S)
 * Mistubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR GSR/RS (CT9A) How To Choose RS: Choose WHITE as your FIRST COLOR
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR/RS (CP9A)
 * Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo (Z16A)
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II/Nur (BNR34) How To Choose Nur: Choose MILLENIUM JADE as your FIRST COLOR
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec (BCNR33)
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32)
 * Nissan Fairlady Z Version S (Nissan 350Z) (Z33)
 * Nissan Fairlady Z 240Z (S30)
 * Nissan Silvia Spec R (S15)
 * Subaru Impreza WRX STI/Spec-C (GDB-C) How To Choose Spec-C: Choose WHITE as your FIRST COLOR
 * Subaru Impreza WRX STI Version VI (GC8)
 * Subaru Legacy B4 (BL5)
 * Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80)
 * Toyota MR-2 GT-S (SW20)
 * Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100)
 * Nissan Fairlady Z (Z31) (SECRET)
 * Toyota Celsior (UCF10) (SECRET)
 * Toyota Hiace (KZH100G) (SECRET)
 * Toyota Corolla (ZZE124) (SECRET)

Maximum Tune 2
Same as MT1, plus:
 * Mazda RX-8 Type S (SE3P)
 * Mazda Eunos Cosmo Type S
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR/RS (CE9A)
 * Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX (Z32)
 * Subaru Alcyone SVX Version L (CXD)
 * Toyota Supra 2.5GT Twin Turbo R (JZA70)

Maximum Tune 3
Same as MT2, plus:
 * Gemballa Avalanche(JPN Only)
 * MazdaSpeed Atenza (MazdaSpeed 6) (GG3P)
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR GSR (CT9A)
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V GSR/RS (CP9A)
 * Nissan 180SX (RPS13)
 * Nissan Fairlady Z (Z31)
 * Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GDB-F)
 * Toyota Aristo (JZS161)
 * Toyota Celsior (UCF10)
 * Subaru R2 (RC2) (SECRET)
 * Toyota Aristo Taxi (SECRET)

Maximum Tune 3 DX
Same as MT3, plus:
 * Nissan Fairlady Z 370Z (Z34)
 * Mazda Roadster (Mazda MX-5) (NCEC)
 * Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR/RS (CZ4A)
 * Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GRB)


 * Toyota Celsior Taxi (SECRET)
 * MazdaSpeed Atenza (MazdaSpeed 6) "Maxi Driving School" Edition (SECRET)
 * Toyota Hiace (Jacked Suspension) (SECRET)

Maximum Tune 3 DX,Plus
Same as MT3DX, plus:
 * Nissan GT-R (R35)
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R (KPGC10)
 * Nissan GT-R SpecV (cheat: shift 1-3-5-2-3-5-3-3-5-5-5)

Trivia

 * Two of the Mazda cars (MazdaSpeed Atenza & Mazda Roadster) will be translated as MazdaSpeed 6 and Mazda MX-5 in English Version.
 * The Gemballa cannot be selected, played, or seen in the English Version.
 * Purple is the only color for Celsior in MT1, after a certain tuning stage, red is selectable. In MT2, neither purple or red is selectable. Only colors are available are black, white, dark green, and silver. When transferred from MT2 to MT3, one may reselect the color of the Celsior again with a choice of (purple, black, white, dark green, and silver). Purple will still not be selectable if the Celsior is made on MT3. The only possible way to get a stock red Celsior is from MT1
 * There's a glitch in MT3DX+ which allows players to "test" a full-tuned car (based on your used card). You HAVE TO insert your used card (the used card is your old card after transferring the data to DX+). Then, you MUST insert credits to make a new card. Then select ANY CAR and the settings and dressups will be EXACTLY the same (EVERYTHING is same, including level and title). It is good until you take the card out from the machine. The card will be printed with only the word "USED", however if you can renew the card before the card is spit back out you can keep the car data.
 * In Maximum Tune 3 DX, when a 10 Outrun Mode race has an achievement of S-rank, the screen reads "SUDDEEN KILL". This was rectified in DX+ to be "SUDDEN KILL"
 * In WMMT3DX+, if the player selects the Nissan GT-R, the tuning stage is known as a Step-Up Stage
 * The HP for cars made in WMMT3DX+ are displayed as a Power-Handling ratio (P:H); however, the HP for cars transferred over from WMMT3DX are displayed as HP settings (i.e., 760/B).

Soundtrack
The background music for the series is composed by Yuzo Koshiro and has more of a trance music feel than rival Initial D's use of Eurobeat.

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Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune

 * 1) Maximum Acceleration
 * 2) Stream Of Tears (More Tranced Remix)
 * 3) Feel the Passion
 * 4) Beyond The Horizon
 * 5) Fun-Loving Spirit
 * 6) Speed Fanatic
 * 7) Total Terror
 * 8) Driver's Delight
 * 9) Decoration For The dement
 * 10) Atheist on the Highway
 * 11) This is my destiny
 * 12) Stream Of Tears
 * 13) Acid Runner
 * 14) Blue Blazes
 * 15) Destination Blackout

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2
Holy Land Anthem
 * 1) Overdrive Neurotransmitters
 * 2) Maximum Acceleration
 * 3) Feel the Passion
 * 4) Upbeat Gas Junkie
 * 5) Fun-Loving Spirit
 * 6) Driver's Delight
 * 7) Decoration For The Demented
 * 8) Ghost in the Resonance
 * 9) Stream Of Tears
 * 10) Total Terror
 * 11) Smoldery Guest
 * 12) Atheist On The Highway
 * 13) This is My Destiny
 * 14) Unlawful Temptation
 * 15) Nothing Can Live Forever
 * 16) Destination Blackout
 * 17) Blue Blazes
 * 18) Another Dimension
 * }

 Nip And Tuck Race Highway Obsession Adrenaline Blowouts the Fear 

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3, DX & DX Plus

 * 1) Stay where you are (3DX Plus)
 * 2) Loop of Fortune (3DX Plus)
 * 3) Acid Runner remix 2010 (3DX Plus)
 * 4) Feel the Passion remix 2010 (3DX Plus)
 * 5) Enjoy The Process (3DX)
 * 6) Inexhaustible Energy
 * 7) In Your Dream
 * 8) Get Down to the Drive
 * 9) Top-Flight Mechanics
 * 10) Wanna Try One Last Time
 * 11) Get you Cornered
 * 12) Love to Rise in the Summer Morning
 * 13) Evil Association
 * 14) Supreme Folly
 * 15) Control Your Body
 * 16) Shrewd Critic
 * 17) Cause You're Different
 * 18) Feel the Moment
 * 19) Black Pressure
 * 20) Phantom of Blue
 * 21) Shine


 * 1) Just Flat Out
 * 2) Midnight Sanctuary

Wangan Midnight R

 * 1) Rival's Theme 1
 * 2) Rival's Theme 2
 * 3) Hiramoto's Theme
 * 4) Masaki's Theme
 * 5) Kei's Theme
 * 6) R200CLUB's Theme
 * 7) Kuroki's Theme
 * 8) Eiji's Theme
 * 9) Kijima's Theme
 * 10) Reina's Theme
 * 11) BlackBird's Theme
 * 12) Akio's Theme
 * }