NEWS Racing Cockpit Clonage

   Gran Turismo 4 will eventually reach market. Until that day, eager racing fans may prepare for the big event by rearranging the game room and  practicing daily on GT4 Prologue. Perhaps placing an obtrusive racing cockpit next to the ottoman might also be in order for true aficionados.

   In the UK, Ash Design currently supplies a cockpit called the Gamepod GT1 which was designed somewhat similarly to the original Sparco cockpit but with the addition of a television shelf for close-up viewing of the action. Pricing is about US$650 for the model with Rockingham seat or roughly US$900 for the version with adjustable Daytona seat.

   Preorders for Sparco's new Racing Cockpit Pro open up on May 7 at Y73290 (US$673) with delivery destined for June 10. The price covers the seat and frame only which accepts a GT Force Pro controller but not the original GT Force. In all likelihood, we'll skip the Sparco cockpit due to onerous shipping fees for such a massive unit coupled with the $600+ price tag which will likely bring it over $1000. There is an alternative for stateside racers however. 

   As is routine in Asia, an OEM has opened up preorders for a Racing Cockpit clone at a rather reasonable price of approximately US$350 after shipping costs from overseas. The frame isn't as ergonomically styled as the Sparco cockpit and our assessment is that the unit looks like surplus weight-lifting equipment that was rammed into another application. The specs:

- Includes racing wheel with force feedback and vibration function
- Wheel operates in digital, analog and NeGcon modes
- Wheel may be swiveled and swung for optimum comfort
- Mounted pedals for braking and acceleration
- Adjustable racing chair which slides along the metal runners
- Compatible with Dreamcast, Gamecube, Playstation, PC and Xbox

   The preorder flyer also mentions "High sensitivity function and flashing effect," which apparently refers to the wheel while the latter may refer to LED lights on the wheel base. Unknown at this time is if the factory wheel can be swapped out for a GT Force Pro but we'll update soon. Preorders are welcome today for delivery in mid-June 2004.

  SOTD Matrimelee for Neo Geo AES - $149

   We've been on many binges, where inventory was gathered through the years with nary a second thought. These binges will inevitably continue as it is the nature of the business but a purging process is necessary every few years to move dormant inventory. Our suppliers in the UK call it "dead stock" and they slash and burn without equal in the world. Suppliers in Hong Kong are a bit more reticent to take hefty losses but prices can drop pretty quickly once the competition gets the ball rolling. The Japanese are unique however. Sure, there's plenty of inventory "control" but what's old and once discounted very often becomes "hot" again and commands mighty prices as time passes.
   This maxim does not hold true for everything, of course, but what was once "dead stock" churns into "collector's items" if given the time to appreciate. Lead into gold. Time and again, we've witnessed revivals in Famicom, Super Famicom, PC-Engine, and other prices in Japan. The PC-FX comes to mind as a recent example. There was a time when vendors were desperately selling new, boxed consoles for the equivalent of U$45. At that price, we wouldn't import any units since the fear was that the prices would go even lower... 

   With that in mind and plenty of cases of Matrimelee sitting dormant, we've decided to slash Matrimelee from $319 to $149 + shipping. The game may very well retail for $319 again in another few years as stock dwindles and magic happens but we're in a UK state of mind.

  MOTD Famimaga Vol. 20 (October 6, 1995)

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