Gallop Racer 2006

[Drag66]

I know there was some interest when the Breeder's Cup horse racing game came out last year. This game looks to be very solid and the preview is very positive. The Gallop Racer series is always top quality even though it has no official licenses for US hosrses, races, or tracks. Here it is:

http://www.totalplaystation.com/previews.php?id=144&page=1

It is supposed to ship May 11th, but now I have heard May 2nd. It is PS2 exclusive which means I will be buying a PS2 again.

[mgoblue]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

I played Gallop Racer 2003 quite a bit and it's a fun series...much more fun if you're into horse racing more than I am, but they do a good job. I think I'll pass though, have to decide if i'm selling the PS2, or buying this and MLB the show

[Drag66]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

I am a die-hard horse racing fan and this series is the only series that is pretty solid in simulating racing. I hate buying a PS2 again, but I have to play this and I want to try God of War as well. Maybe you should just sell me your PS2.

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

It seems the game came out this week, and I'm curious if anyone picked it up?

I am considering renting it, as I recall playing a previous version years ago.

[dave360]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

Gallop Racer, MLB The Show, and Kingdom Hearts II are making me wish I still had my PS2. This may be enough to push me over the edge

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

It seems this game is going to be tough to find on a rental basis. I called a privately owned store here and they said it is too much of a niche title to be worth renting out..

I suppose I could buy it, and then sell it on eBay, and have the sell back price-drop serve as the rental price, if I in fact don't consider it worth buying.

eBay seems to be a nice place to sell niche games, as they aren't as readily available as other mass popular games.

[Rodster]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

I'm picking up the game either today or tomorrow. The game is getting pretty good reviews from the diehard Gallop Racer crowd. If anyone is interested here's a link to a website dedicated to Gallop Racer 2006. Read for yourself before buying.

http://p083.ezboard.com/fgallopracerseriesfrm249.showMessageRange?topicID=72.topic&start=1&stop=20

I like what i've read so far from the forum.

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

I picked up the game today.

Seeing that I don't follow, or support, horse racing, there was definitely an adjustment stage. At first I was breeding my own horses to use in the Challenge mode, but then restarted and used an already existing horse.

So far I've been in 11 races, and won 5 of them, one at the G1 level. It's a very fun game, and also quite challenging. The game captures the struggle of jockey and horse very well, as my horse often wants to run with the pack, at the cost of overexerting itself and losing badly on the last stretch.

The breeding is really fun also. I was messing around with the game earlier when my mom was using the computer, and bred a horse named "Negro Please." Unfortunately he did not win many races, but my mom initially thought I was watching the Kentucky Derby, and then expressed her surprise that an owner would name their horse Negro Please, and that it would actually make it to the Derby.

Good stuff. Definitely a niche game, but I'm enjoying it now that I am starting to win. I also gather there are quite a bit of things to unlock which certainly adds to the fun factor.

[Rodster]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

I got it as well today and I'm with ya my knowledge of Horse Racing is very limited. I like the game as well but I haven't won a race yet. Placed 2nd and that's 20 races on "easy" difficulty. I know that's pretty lame.

But I do like the race and it portrays the sense of Horse Management from a Jockeys perspective. I see proper pacing and great starts are essential to winning. Something I haven't gotten the hang of yet.

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

The colored meter behind the horse's gallop is really important. When it starts to go yellow, I pull it back until it is green again. Otherwise, when you push yellow and red, your horse likely is going to run out of gas before the end of the race.

One of the many things the game does really well is having horses run out of gas down the stretch and give up huge leads. Starts are also really helpful, and tough. I gather the ideal start is one with the arrows aligned and far to the right of the meter.

Took a bit for me to get into the game. Initially I didn't think I would enjoy it, but when I picked a better horse and won a little, things started to turn around. I've been using Bay Society with good results.

[Rodster]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

The colored meter behind the horse's gallop is really important. When it starts to go yellow, I pull it back until it is green again. Otherwise, when you push yellow and red, your horse likely is going to run out of gas before the end of the race.

One of the many things the game does really well is having horses run out of gas down the stretch and give up huge leads. Starts are also really helpful, and tough. I gather the ideal start is one with the arrows aligned and far to the right of the meter.

Took a bit for me to get into the game. Initially I didn't think I would enjoy it, but when I picked a better horse and won a little, things started to turn around. I've been using Bay Society with good results.

Thanks Brah, I read the manual a little and playing more of the game I started to figure it out like you said. Very cool game.

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

Also, when scheduling races, I recommend using "Square" to view a roadmap. This gives a bracketish layout of the races, and allows you to see when Cups, higher ranked races, etc are coming up, and is much easier to read than the regular schedule, which often includes races a current horse isn't even eligible for.

The replays, and the ability to save them, are also nice.

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

My horse simply cannot win on dirt tracks. I am one GI dirt track win away from a well-rounded related trophy, but my horse just can't last the entire race, and when I don't push him he gets beaten badly.

[Rodster]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

My horse simply cannot win on dirt tracks. I am one GI dirt track win away from a well-rounded related trophy, but my horse just can't last the entire race, and when I don't push him he gets beaten badly.

What difficulty are you playing at? On easy setting i'm starting to win more, that will change i'm sure when I bump the setting to normal. I'm still goofing around with free mode trying to get the hang of this game.

My first Horse Racing game eva. It's crazy fun though.

[Jimplication]

Re: Gallop Racer 2006

What difficulty are you playing at? On easy setting i'm starting to win more, that will change i'm sure when I bump the setting to normal. I'm still goofing around with free mode trying to get the hang of this game.

My first Horse Racing game eva. It's crazy fun though.

I'm playing on Easy also. It's neat how different tracks affect a horse's ability to run them, as mine simply can't do well on dirt. Distance doesn't really factor into it.. If it's dirt, my current horse will fall off by the end.

I'm also curious how other horses are unlocked for breeding purposes. I'm starting to accumulate some money/points in Trophy mode, and thus it would be nice if some more expensive horses were made available to breed. I gather there are many to be unlocked, I'm just not sure how.