Time Attack

Lore & Background

In the Initial D video game franchise, players race against different opponents through various mountain passes featured in the manga. Vehicles featured are mostly Japanese cars, such as the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mazda RX-7, Subaru Impreza, Honda Civic, as well as the Toyota AE86. Using the optional magnetic card system (arcade installations from Arcade Stage Zero and later utilize Amusement IC, Banapassport, or Aime cards rather than dedicated magnetic cards), players can save a customized car as well as their progress for future sessions; otherwise, their game progress is deleted. Players can continue growth with their cards on another Initial D cabinet of the same version. However, the card must be renewed every 50 plays. Resuming from another version is subject to conditions: there is no backward compatibility, upgrading the card to a more recent machine is permanent, and when upgrading from one version to another, remaining plays will be carried over, and 50 plays will be credited to the card.

In Their Own Story

Time Attack was introduced as a core mode from the earliest arcade versions. In Arcade Stage Ver.2/Special Stage through Arcade Stage 6 AA, players could change stages' weather conditions, adding a strategic layer to setting fast times. This feature was removed from Arcade Stage 7 AAX to Arcade Stage 8 Infinity. In Arcade Stage 5 through Arcade Stage 8 Infinity, Time Attack was included as one of only two modes in the Racer's Event mode, alongside Online Battle. The mode tests a player's ability to master a course without interference from opponents, focusing purely on driving skill and car setup.

Reader's Guide

To excel in Time Attack, players must learn each course's layout and optimal racing line. Courses include Myogi, Usui, Akina, Happogahara, Akagi, Irohazaka, Shomaru, Tsuchisaka, Lake Akina, Tsukuba Fruit Line, and Nagao. Weather conditions could be changed from Arcade Stage Ver.2/Special Stage to Arcade Stage 6 AA, allowing players to practice in rain or snow. The game uses a magnetic card system (or Amusement IC, Banapassport, or Aime cards from Arcade Stage Zero onward) to save progress and car customization. Cards must be renewed every 50 plays. When upgrading from one version to another, remaining plays carry over and 50 plays are credited to the card. There is no backward compatibility between versions.

Did You Know?

• From Arcade Stage Ver.2/Special Stage to Arcade Stage 6 AA, players could change stages' weather conditions in Time Attack mode.
• The weather change feature was removed from Arcade Stage 7 AAX to Arcade Stage 8 Infinity.
• In Arcade Stage 5 through Arcade Stage 8 Infinity, Time Attack was one of only two modes in the Racer's Event mode, alongside Online Battle.
• Players can save their customized car and progress using a magnetic card system, which must be renewed every 50 plays.
• When upgrading from one version to another, remaining plays are carried over and 50 plays are credited to the card.