TownRanger.h.o.t.m.a.i.l. (Guess what...) 2 May, 2007
TownRanger (aka Leslie Keung aka townrangertr) Version 1.000
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B A T T L E G E A R 4 T U N E D G U I D E
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A guide for the final installment of Taito's (R) Battle Gear (R) series.
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You are now reading TownRanger's Battle Gear 4 Tuned Guide
written exclusively for the Japanese version
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Table of Contents
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I . Introduction
I.1 - Disclaimer
I.2 - Differences across BG4, BG4T and BG4T Pro
II . Game Play Mechanics
II.1 - Credits and Netkey
II.2 - Solo and Linked Play
II.3 - Cars
II.4 - Game Modes
II.5 - Settings
II.6 - Ghost
II.7 - BG Points
II.8 - Replay
III . My Garage
III.1 - Registration
III.2 - Log in and out
III.3 - Adding Parking Spaces
III.4 - Buying Settings
III.5 -
IV . Advanced Tips
IV.1 - Setting Your Car up
IV.2 - Driving Tips
IV.3 - Practicing Methods
V . Additional Information
V.1 - Glitches and Exploits
V.2 - Battle Mode Titles
V.3 - Online Discussion Forums
V.4 - Video Locations
V.5 - Useful Websites Online
V.6 - Machine Locations
VI . Closing
VI.1 - Revision History
VI.2 - Credits
VI.3 - Contacts
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I. Introduction
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Welcome to my Batle Gear 4 Tuned Guide. This is the second one I've written for
this game. My previous document written for the predecessor Battle Gear 4 can
be found at:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/game/926539.html
Having published the above guide, I have been receiving emails saying how
helpful the guide is, particularly with the confusing Japanese language spoken
by the online point system "My Garage" of the game. However, I still think it
is disorganised, too much of a side tracking, lacks informative on cars,
courses and settings, and has poor transitions from sections to sections.
Now that I have only sent this guide to GameFAQs:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/data/937334.html
If it had not been this Battle Gear 4 Tuned as the final installment of Taito's
BG series, I would not have been still updating the guide. Before we get to it,
I have something important to warn you...
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I.1 - Disclaimer
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As soon as this guide has been published, this section has to be here.
DO NOT reproduce or quote the whole or any of the text in this guide without my
prior consent, or else I will file a complaint of plagarism, and you will be
the one who suffers from its cost. The risk is not worth taking.
Under all circumstances, I take no responsibility of any money or time loss due
to the reading of this guide.
The video links provided in this guide are the properties of the driver being
filmed or the one who filmed it (or both). Sites hosting those videos subject
to copyright issues with the video owners. Online viewing is usually acceptable
but downloading to your storage system may or may not be legal. I am in no way
responsible for your own action.
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I.2 - Differences across BG4, BG4T and BG4T Pro
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Getting used to these abbreviations, one should be able to notice that Battle
Gear 4 (BG4), Battle Gear 4 Tuned (BG4T), and Battle Gear 4 Tuned Pro (BG4T
Pro). Names are not a major concern, whereas the thing is "What are they?"
On the title screen of any machines of any names aforementioned, you can find
a version number in the lower-right corner. It is self-explanatory that the
version number indicates which version it is.
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BG4
---
If I have not remembered wrong, I guess the original Battle Gear 4 does not
have a version number (That is the oldest and Japanese version). The numberless
title screen indicates the oldest and Japanese version of Battle Gear 4 which
was the first one to hit the market. That is the original Battle Gear 4 (BG4)
published in August 2005.
Since BG4 has an online automatic updating function, the oldest BG4 can't be
found now, not even in arcades without Internet connection. An updated patch is
installed in BG4 either on the Internet or in CD ROMs (GD ROMs?). This very
first updated version is indicated by the version number 2.00 HKG. The letters
vary according to the location your arcade is at. The first patch comes with
two new courses Choushoukyuu and Choudokyuu, and is published on 20 December
2005.
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BG4T
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A major update persists, and brings us Battle Gear 4 Tuned (BG4T) which is
numbered as version 2.03 HKG (Again the letters depend all on the lcoation that
you are in). New cars are added in this version, and also all engine powerbands
(except Toyota AE86's and AE85's 4GA (11,000rpm) racing engines) are granted
with 500 or 1000 more rpm. Improving the handling of all cars that way, BG4T
also pushes the TA times of all cars shorter by unleasing more engine power and
a better acceleration out of the extra engine revolution rate. The drift mode
is made available which acts as an utilisation of the useless Drift Points
after each TA session in the previous versions.
Not long after the first release of BG4T (2.03), the famous course resembling
Akagi, Gumma is added as in the game Dokyuu B. This version is numbered 2.04.
Taito continues to add new courses into the game. They are Choushoukyuu B and
Chyuukyuu C. However, the version number remains intact as 2.04.
Up to the publishing date of this guide on 18 April 2007, the current version
number is Battle Gear 4 Tuned 2.04 HKG in my local area.
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BG4T Pro
--------
Above we have covered the history of BG4 and BG4T. Now that the original
version BG4 cannot be found anywhere, and we will now discuss the difference
between BG4T and BG4T Pro.
Simply put, BG4T is installed on BG4's setup whilst BG4T Pro is installed on
a more decent setup. BG4T Pro upgrades the hardware system with an inclusion of
a clutch, an H-shaped pattern shifting knob, a 16:9 wide screen, a seat
vibration function, and a screen blurred-out effect when a nitro or boost is
triggered.
Yet another difference, although may or may not be intended by Taito, is the
increased price per play of BG4T. Even if an arcade has only got the old
machines installed with the software BG4T with the exact same piece of
hardware, it still costs you more.
Having said that the game BG4T on old machines or BG4T Pro on decent hardware
costs you more, I guess you are still a dedicated BG4T'er who is willing to
spend in the game or else why would you have been reading this very boring
guide from the beginning down here which is something that outsiders will go on
a "Huh-what-the-heck-are-you-taking-about" face? Why don't we proceed to the
next section informing you with the Game Play Mechanics?
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II . Game Play Mechanics
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I can recall in my previous guide written for Battle Gear 4, I have spent a
whole lot of texts explaining some very trivial things as an introduction to
my guide, to the game, and to the game mechanics. Now I have decided to cut
them short and get rid of those redundancies, although there may have some
important information for you. You can refer to my previous document for more
details.
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II.1 - Credits and Netkey
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Since the currency (real life) varies from countries to countries, or even
within the same country the price per play can be up to individual arcades to
decide, at least this is the case in my place.
In some places around the London area, as Odie tells me, there are no Internet
connections in the arcades, meaning that the BG4T games cannot go online. Taito
does not sell Netkey to places and shops where their game is not registered
online. Taito has a dedicated server to store data of all over the world the
arcades with BG4T connected live online. So if an arcade does not have Internet
access for BG4T, Netkeys will not be sold. In other words, netkeys are only out
there for sale in arcades with online BG4T.
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Credits
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So the credits per play are always a variable. Worry not when you are in an
arcade; the screen will prompt you with a fraction of a number showing you
the number of credits required per play.
An example is on the title screen displaying the ultra huge words "Battle Gear
4 Tuned", the bottom of the screen shows "Credits 00/03". That suggests you
will need three coins or tokens for one single play. Inserting one coin or
token, the screen prompts "Credits 01/03". The nominator of this fractional
number records the coin(s) or token(s) the machine detects as valid. Once after
a sufficient input of them is done, the screen converts into something like
asking whether or not you have a Netkey... and whether or not you are going to
have a linked play. But now we are not at that part II.2 yet, and we will now
just simply cover the Netkey issue...
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Netkey
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The game BG4T concerns your Netkey first (it's always your arcade that concerns
money but not the game itself does...). After inserting the correct amount of
credits to initiate a game play, your quivering hand holding your BG4T Netkey
should be plugged into the ignition, and be turned.
If you do not have a Netkey, now you can insert coins or tokens to the slot
machine up on the dashboard directly below the Netkey dispensor. How can I
register a new car with my newly brought Netkey? The answer is in the next
session below. Right now we are looking at something else first.
The worst case scenario. Nothing is even worse than an offline BG4T machine.
That happens. Shit happens. Alright, no Netkey and you should not buy a
Netkey if you know your arcade does not have BG4T connected online or has a
very slow and unstable online BG4T machine.
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II.2 - Solo and Linked Play
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If you are to avoid fishers or to break your own hardcore TA record, here is
your choice to play solo by HOLDING (not just pressing once) the triangular
hazard button. The screen turns purple that way, confirming that yours is a
solo play.
If the hazard button is not being held when you are ready with one game credit,
the other linked machines nearby will have their screen flashing some large
words which read something like "Linked Play Available!" with a timer counting
down from 15 to 0. Mind you, 15-second is a really long time for fishers who
have been idling around in your arcade for decades looking for fish, and of
course you do not want to be his fish.
In order not to allow fishers to take advantage on you, what you could do is to
insert the coins / tokens WHILE holding the hazard button. That way the screen
turns purple once after your credit is ready for a game play. The linked play
function is disabled by holding but not pressing only once the hazard button.
You can enjoy your solo play that way.
Beware of fishers. The other day I was about to play the game. There are four
cabs in a row with one of them failed in Internet connection, another one
occupied by a 50-ish oldie, and the remaining two by some teens. The teens soon
ran out of money and they let me use one of the cabs. I strapped myself in, and
inserted four coins (five coins per play). I checked around carefully to see if
no one else was trying to drag me into a VS battle. Alright, things seemed
fine. I inserted the fifth and last coin and... HOLY ****!
The 50-ish oldie inserted his last coin, and tried to fish me!
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II.3 - Cars
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Seeing this screen, it is either A) you are playing without a Netkey, or B) you
are registering a new car with a newly bought Netkey. Either way, you can take
a look through the car makes. The car make logoes are at the bottom of the
screen.
On the upper half of the screen, there will be the available car models of each
car make.
The cars available are:
Honda - NISSANFAIRLADY Z Version ST(Z33)
- NSX type S (NA2)
- NSX type R (NA2)
- S2000 (AP1)
- INTEGRA TYPE R(DC2)
- INTEGRA TYPE R(DC5)
- ACCORD Euro-R (CL7)
- CIVIC SiR(EG6)
- CIVIC TYPE R(EK9)
- Fit 1.5S(GD3)
Subaru - IMPREZA WRX STi spec C (GDB)
- IMPREZA WRX STI spec C ['06] (GDB)
- IMPREZA WRX type R STi Version VI (GC8)
- LEGACY B4 2.0GT spec.B(BL5)
MITSUBISHI MOTORS - LANCER Evolution IX GSR (CT9A)
- LANCER Evolution IX MR GSR (CT9A)
- LANCER GSR Evolution III (CE9A)
- LANCER GSR Evolution IV (CN9A)
- FTO GP Version R (DE3A)
- COLT PLUS Sport-X (Z23W)
MAZDA - RX-7 Type RS (FD3S)
- RX-8 Type S (SE3P)
- ATENZA 23Z (GG3S)
- SAVANNA RX-7 GT-X (FC3S)
- EUNOS ROADSTER C (NA6CE)
- DEMIO SPORT (DY5W)
- ROADSTER RS (NCEC)
- ROADSTER RS-II (NB8C)
NISSAN - SKYLINE GT-R (BNR32)
- SKYLINE GT-R V-spec (BCNR33)
- SKYLINE GT-R V-specII (BNR34)
- 180SX TYPE X (RPS13)
- SILVIA K's (S13)
- SILVIA spec-R AERO (S15)
- MARCH 12SR (AK12)
TOYOTA - Supra RZ (JZA80)
- ALTEZZA RS200 L EDITION (SXE10)
- MR2 GT (SW20)
- CELICA GT-FOUR (ST205)
- CELICA TRD Sports M (ZZT231)
- MR-S S EDITION (ZZW30)
- SPRINTER TRUENO GT APEX 3door (AE86)
- COROLLA LEVIN SR (AE85)
- Vitz RS 1.5L 3door (NCP13)
VOLKSWAGEN - Golf GTI (1KAXX)
- New Beetle Turbo (9CAWU)
RENAULT - Lutecia RENAULT sport V6 (BL7X)
PEUGEOT - 206 RC (206RC)
CITROEN - C4 2.0 VTS (B5RFK)
- Xsara Coupe VTS
FORD - FOCUS ST170 (WF0ALD)
MINI - MINI Cooper S (RE16)
SUZUKI - SWIFT Sport (ZC31S)
Deciding a car, you will be brought to a screen where you can change the colour
of your car by pressing the View Change Button. This is not Wangan and not
Initial D either; you can always change the colour of your favourite ride when
you access My Garage with a Netkey.
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II.4 - Game Modes
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Coming soon...
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II.5 - Settings
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Coming soon...
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II.6 - Ghost
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Coming soon...
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II.7 - BG Points
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Coming soon...
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II.8 - Replay
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Coming soon...
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III . My Garage
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Under construction...
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IV . Advanced Tips
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IV.1 - Setting Your Car up
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I have a setting which I call the Test setting. The setting is slow but the car
is stable. I won't say it grips the ground like a hoover machine does. It does
not feel like a hovercraft in a typhoon in stormy waters. It is easy to
manuevoer.
Use Super Low final gears for twisty or bumpy mountain courses in such a way
that when you exit a hairpin in a very low speed, you could always pick up by
using the 2nd gear rather than the 1st. This saves you time to shift up from
1st to 2nd where there will be a speed clung. It takes way the time for you to
shift up.
Don't shift up while you are preparing to enter a corner that needs speed
reduction.
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IV.2 - Driving Tips
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Here is one of my readers Fox's submission:
"I read in your BG4 FAQ that you're working on a BG4T FAQ as well, if you
are going to make a section for drifting like in BG4, you can use this
technique since it comes with the clutch pedal:
"Clutch Kicking
1. Approach the corner normally (from the outside)
2. Brake and turn with half gas
3. The moment you turn, start tapping the clutch pedal hard and fast to
cause a sudden over revving
4. Keep your right foot on both the gas and brake pedals to prevent a spin
out
5. Countersteer and exit
"* This is a pretty advanced technique to use considering the footwork
involved.
"Here's a little add on for your section on Powerslide:
"Based on personal experience, Powersliding is a beginner friendly technique
with Sidebrake Drifting in second because (not sure about BG4) in BG4T, the
steering wheel turns past 180 degrees. If you want to try your hand at
drifting in BG4T and are still getting used to the steering, use Powerslide.
I can back this up because using Powerslide, I gained the No.1 time in 3
courses and No.1 score in 3 of 4 courses in its Drift Mode using a Sprinter
Trueno with only one hand on the steering wheel throughout the whole race."
(Thanks to Fox)
Fox also submitted a Toyota Trueno review for us:
"The Trueno is one of the ideal cars to begin drift training because its an
FR car with low power. It won't dominate the courses with wide corners and
long straights but it has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with
on technical courses such as Mt. Akina onwards. This car is for those
cornering demons who are looking for a challenging car to drive because you
need an insane line to come up with good times with the 86. It can lose a
hefty amount of traction during a drift so mind your entry speed and line.
"If you're a fan of ID (like me) or don't have exceptional drifting
technique yet, this is the car for you."
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IV.3 - Practicing Methods
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Below is one of my readers Seishirou's submission of how to practice the 6-MT
clutch system:--
"Hi, i am Seishirou from Singapore. Thanks for the great FAQ from you. Hope
to add in more information which i found. Clutch and 6MT gearing system.
"Oh, those who don't drive, will find a hard time using this system, like
me!! Best practice method is to use a lower class car, (For me, i use
beetle to practice this system) and slowly get use to the patten."
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V . Additional Information
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V.1 - Glitches and Exploits
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Unlimited Ignition Time
The time that you plug your Netkey and turn the ignition is infinite. I have
heard stories of fishers waiting for fish for that moment for five minutes,
and stupid punks not doing anything after they know that someonee behind was
waiting for the machine.
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V.2 - Battle Mode Titles
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Coming soon...
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V.3 - Online Discussion Forums
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zone x forums
(Thanks to x3ternalx)
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V.4 - Video Locations
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Subaru Legacy B4 - Akagi Reversed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_6Mz2ofGZU
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V.5 - Useful Websites Online
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http://www.racegame.org
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V.6 - Machine Locations
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Battle Gear 4 Tuned in Singapore
Woodlands, Causeway point. Time Zone Arcade
Normal price is $1.50, VIP is $1.40
(Thanks to Seishirou)
Online play is available only at Dohby Ghaut MRT Station Now.
Simei now has BG4 machines but there's no internet connection.
Not in Zone Z outlets, I believe it's timezone.
(Thanks to x3ternalx)
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VI . Closing
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Before we come to an end of this guide, I would like to say a few more final
things...
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VI.1 - Revision History
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Version 1.000 - 2 May 2007
- Included information exclusive to BG4T which cannot be found in
my previous work of BG4 guide
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VI.2 - Credits
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I would like to thank these people for their help in the writing process of
this guide:
Seishirou
x3ternalx
Fox
Odie
ms09
Anson for his great help in granting me a new job
Daytona for allowing me to use his guides and boost positions
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VI.3 - Contacts
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Contact me on TownRanger.h.o.t.m.a.i.l. (Use your IQ) if you have any thing to
ask, say, or comment.
