Sonic leans into a turn behind a controller-shaped nose, its little screen still visible. The vehicle takes its cues from the Dreamcast, one of three classic Sega systems reimagined for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
In a November 3 PlayStation Blog interview, the development team explained the design decisions behind the Sega Consoles Pack, a bonus for the Year Two Digital Deluxe Edition and Season Pass Two. Year Two was scheduled to begin later that day.
Turning hardware into bodywork
The team kept recognizable colours, silhouettes and button layouts while adapting the hardware to a racing game's proportions. Rounded shapes became fenders and nose sections; angular lines informed panels and hoods. The Dreamcast's VMU was recreated using original reference data, the developers said.
A Saturn-inspired vehicle turns the console's top and buttons into a race-car body.
Project: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Production: SEGA
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds imagery © SEGA and respective rights holders. Separate editorial reuse permission unconfirmed.
The Saturn-inspired car illustrates that translation clearly. Its console-like top sits ahead of a cockpit and wheels, with blue controls picking out details in the grey body. The result reads as a vehicle while retaining the features that identify its source.
A console that still has to race
CrossWorlds lets players combine front and rear vehicle parts. The developers say they designed the console vehicles around that system too, pairing elements associated with consoles and controllers.
The Genesis Tower US presented a particular challenge: the team experimented to keep its recognizable shape without hiding the racer or obstructing play. It is a reminder that a visual homage still needs to work from the player's camera.
SEGA says Year Two also introduces Duel Mode and the Super Slot for enhancing a one-slot Gadget. The console vehicles are a bonus tied to the editions and pass named above, rather than a feature described as free for every player.
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