Today, Sega announced that their latest racing game has finally gone gold (in gamer-speak, the game is code-complete and ready for manufacturing). Coast 2 Coast lets players race from Palm Beach to Cape Way in a variety of vehicles, including 12 licensed Ferrari models. The game will have you hitting the road in missions, license mode, or online racing for up to six players.

The game is due out April 25th for the PS2, PSP, and Xbox.

If you're still on the edge of purchasing OutRun 2006 for your PSP, maybe this trailer will make your decision a little easier. In this one minute flick, you can take a look at some intense Ferrari drifting action. The racing looks fast paced to say the least, and there will be a wide variety of cars at your disposal. This arcade racer includes a plethora of game modes, including the OutRun mode in which you'll need to choose the right path in order to stay ahead of the pack. Other features include the Heart Attack mode where you need to complete objectives for your passengers, while a traditional Time Attack mode is available for those who just want to race.

Download: [OutRun 2006 PSP Trailer]

The OutRun series has been a fun standard in the arcades and was a luke warm hit with the Xbox when it was released back in 2004 with OutRun 2. The new game, OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, will see 30 locations, PS2 and PSP connectivity to unlock special cars and courses, and selecting your own soundtracks. Heart Attack Mode will also be returning which is a big feature as Marty says. Heart Attack Mode is where you're driving the open-ended course to the time limit, the passenger will frequently request certain stunts and actions. These requests, carried out through marked sections of the course, can include passing cars, drifting around bends, driving through marked lanes, knocking over cones, and simply not crashing into anything for as long as possible. If successfully done, the player will receive 'hearts' and, at the end of the request section, be graded on their performance. The player's performance is also graded at the end of the stage. Crashing into the scenery at any time will result in the player losing "hearts".

In the interview, IGN talks multiplayer with Marty saying that the PSP version will, unfortunately, only have ad-hoc functionality but he says it's all about the fun. Right, with the whole two people who will sit next to you to play. The PS2 and Xbox version, on the other hand, will have up to 6 players online. To bad PS2 and PSP players can't play together online like the new World Tour Poker game coming out, that would be pretty sweet. The interview is fairly short and linear and will answer basic questions for you OutRun fans. Here is a piece of the interview and four screenshots of the PSP version to look at.

IGN: How many players can go online with Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast?

MC: You can play with a maximum of 6 players online. Just imagine you and 5 of your friends in Ferrari's racing down a coastal highway, drifting past each other going 100+ miles an hour. Good times if you ask me.

IGN: Are there map editors to create your own stages for other players to play on?

MC: There is no map editor though this feature was discussed at the earlier stages of the project. It may be included in future projects.

IGN: Will any tracks from the previous Outrun games make an appearance in Outrun 2006?

MC: All the original OutRun2 tracks are included. The older titles hold so many fond memories for players and fans alike and they can relive those fond times.

OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast is the arcade racing game to beat on the PSP. This title is from Sumo Digital, developer of the OutRun2 and OutRun2 arcade versions of the game.

There are several game modes that will definitely be enjoyed by up to six gamers who can all play at the same time via the ad hoc or infrastructure options. Time Attack mode requires you to race against a ghost car that represents your best time yet in the entire game. The Heart Attack mode will require you to take mini-missions that will be instructed by the passenger. This will include having to overtake other racers, hitting ghosts and collecting hearts, among others.

The OutRun mode of the game gives the gamer options in the 15 different stages of the game. When roads branch out, turning left would mean choosing the easier route while choosing the road on the right leads to harder stages.

OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast will appeal to most gamers - they'll really feel as if they're playing an arcade game in any of the 13 officially licensed Italian Ferraris.

OutRun 2006's not perfect however - sometimes the graphics overload and the game freezes for about half a second; some stages are really troublesome to navigate; plus gamers can't use the 328 GTS and the F430 unless they buy them first on the PlayStation 2 version.  These caveats aside, though, the arcade racing PSP version OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast is the best racing game for the PSP yet released.

We just received some new screenshots for the upcoming release of Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. Check them out now! OutRun 2006 is slated for an April Release.

SEGA's wild drift-happy racer comes to PSP with this follow-up to the arcade and Xbox Outrun revival. The enchanting draw of the open road has never been so appealing with the choice of one of 12 fully licensed Ferrari models, featuring the all-new F430 and the dazzling Superamerica. Gamers will feel the throaty whine and that distinctive Ferrari exhaust tone as they power their way across 30 glorious stages from the best of the OutRun2 original and the follow-up OutRun2 SP arcade experience. Race from coast to glorious coast with a fresh new mission structure, a license mode and wireless link play with up to 6 players for a thrilling head-to-head journey. With platform specific missions, the player will also be able to unlock PSP exclusive content by connecting with the PS2 version, and vice versa. Stack up the OutRun miles from the sun-drenched sands of Palm Beach to the charms of Cape Way to unlock new tracks, cars and much more!

Sega and DemonWare, the leading network middleware provider, today announced that they are working together to power the groundbreaking multiplayer features in the highly anticipated OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast for PS2, PSP and PC platforms. As one of the biggest names in gaming, SEGA turned to DemonWare to ensure their reputation continues with the multiplayer experience.

"We're very proud of how OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast is looking and by working with DemonWare, we've ensured that the online play on both PS2 and PSP lives up to the standard players expect from a Sega product." commented Ben Gunstone, Senior Producer at SEGA Europe Ltd. " The integration of the matchmaking systems and leader boards into the PS2 and PSP versions was seamless and support provided by DemonWare was always lightning fast and efficient."

"We're delighted to be working with Sega on a title that is both a fantastic game and a huge favorite with the rest of the DemonWare team" said Dylan Collins, CEO DemonWare. "We're very pleased that our technology has allowed Sumo Digital and Sega to develop such a unique multiplayer gaming experience across several platforms".

Drifting, yeah, drifting! But what’s wrong with the graphics? It’s not as good as Ridge Racers!

   
   

SEGA's wild drift-happy racer comes to PSP with this follow-up to the arcade and Xbox Outrun revival. The enchanting draw of the open road has never been so appealing with the choice of one of 12 fully licensed Ferrari models, featuring the all-new F430 and the dazzling Superamerica. Gamers will feel the throaty whine and that distinctive Ferrari exhaust tone as they power their way across 30 glorious stages from the best of the OutRun2 original and the follow-up OutRun2 SP arcade experience. Race from coast to glorious coast with a fresh new mission structure, a license mode and wireless link play with up to 6 players for a thrilling head-to-head journey. With platform specific missions, the player will also be able to unlock PSP exclusive content by connecting with the PS2 version, and vice versa. Stack up the OutRun miles from the sun-drenched sands of Palm Beach to the charms of Cape Way to unlock new tracks, cars and much more!

   
 

[via JeuxFrance]

Sega has opened the official site for OutRun 2006 Coast 2 Coast has been opened. The site is filled with info on the game, as well as movies, screenshots and downloadable PSP wallpapers. You can also find reviews and press info, outrun miles description, and a full game description.

Check out the site [here].

Six new screenshots have been released of Sega’s upcoming racer, Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. Sega's wild drift-happy racer comes to PSP with this follow-up to the arcade and Xbox Outrun revival. The enchanting draw of the open road has never been so appealing with the choice of one of 12 fully licensed Ferrari models, featuring the all-new F430 and the dazzling Superamerica.

  

Gamers will feel the throaty whine and that distinctive Ferrari exhaust tone as they power their way across 30 glorious stages from the best of the OutRun2 original and the follow-up OutRun2 SP arcade experience. Race from coast to glorious coast with a fresh new mission structure, a license mode and wireless link play with up to 6 players for a thrilling head-to-head journey.

  

With platform specific missions, the player will also be able to unlock PSP exclusive content by connecting with the PS2 version, and vice versa. Stack up the OutRun miles from the sun-drenched sands of Palm Beach to the charms of Cape Way to unlock new tracks, cars and much more!