Sega Announces Free Software Update For Daytona Championship USA [UPDATED]

Arcades and software updates have changed a bit over the years. It wasn’t too long ago that most were handled by a CD or DVD that your distributor might send your way, although most of the time you had to know about it and request it. For a time, some manufacturers offered the updates direct from their website (or at least a way to download the update) but then some removed that ability. It seems to be very inconsistent as to what to expect in this regard – excepting pinball where it’s long been a direct download from the website to a USB stick. Speaking of that, V1.00 for Stern’s Star Wars pinball was released a few days ago but on to the subject of the post here.

If you own Sega’s new Daytona Championship USA then today the company wants you to know that you can get a free software update for the cabinet right now. This is the same software that was running at IAAPA that they were unofficially calling “The Definitive Version” of the game with corrected/improved handling and some other changes.  I’ll just re-post the PR that was sent out as it explains how to go about along with the changes made:

UPDATE: Sega sent out an email stating that there was a “technical issue” with the downloads so they have had to re-make the links with new URLs. Those have been fixed below.

FREE SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR DAYTONA CHAMPIONSHIP USA!

Sega has released free software upgrade for its award-winning video racing game Daytona Championship USA. Packed with brand new software features and refined existing features this software update amps up the gameplay experience – ‘the best just got a whole lot better!’

• All New Panoramic Attract Sequence: Now you can watch the attract sequence action explode across all linked screens (minimum 4 linked cabinets required).

• Improved Handling: Refinements to the car handling makes you feel even closer to the action.

• Refined Force Feedback: Lets you feel every crash, smash and grind as you fight your way to the finish line.

• Revised difficulty and AI (Artificial Intelligence): Making the game more accessible for beginners while retaining the classic Daytona challenge for the pros.

• Upgraded Graphics and Audio: Delivers an immersive experience that captures the essence of full throttle racing.

• All New Party Mode: Operators can now schedule private events for parties and automate a unique event for up to 128 named players.

“We want all our customers to have this important software upgrade, so we are offering it completely Free of charge. In fact, we have already started shipping out the upgrade on a USB-drive to our Daytona customers. You should get your USB drive shortly, if you do not receive your USB-drive, simply email us at sales@segaarcade.com so we can arrange one to be sent out to you. Alternatively, customers can simply follow the links below to download the software upgrade files.” A USB-drive with a minimum of 8GB free space is required. Comprehensive software download and installation guides are also included.” Says Justin Burke, General Manager at Sega.

Link to Software Download Guide (pdf).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvnwvr6oyde1x68/Software%20Download%20Guide.pdf?dl=0

Link to Installation Guide (pdf).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ub6nzifvlxkake/Daytona%20Software%20Update%20Installation%20Manual%20%28171206%29.pdf?dl=0

Link to Software Download (exe) [3.8GB file]

(link temporarily removed at Sega’s request)

Justin continued “The entire process is easy you just need one USB-drive to update multiple cabinets, and the same USB-drive will also update the billboard and gameboard.” All Daytona games now ship out with this exciting new software update. For further technical advice contact Sega’s technical support on +44 (0) 208 391 8060 (then option 2) or +1 224-265-4283.

Paul Williams, CEO at Sega says “Daytona has been at the top of operators buying list for 2017 and we are sure, that with this update, it secures the top spot for 2018 too. We exhibited Daytona with this software upgrade at IAAPA, and the reception was phenomenal. Players and Operators loved the enhanced game-play and new features. Some players even going as far to say, ‘it’s a whole new game compared to last IAAPA, this Daytona is their favourite arcade racing game’. This software upgrade marks our continued commitment to keeping Daytona as the number one driver on location.”

For more information contact Sega on +44 (0)208 391 8090; +1 (847) 364-9787; sales@segaarcade.com, or contact your local Authorized Sega Distributor. For technical support call +44 (0) 208 391 8060 (then option 2) or +1 224-265-4283.

DAYTONA® is a registered trademark of the International Speedway, Inc. and licensed to International Speedway Corporation.

If you happen to have a DCUSA game and also want to update the up/down shifter then I also imagine it would involve contacting your distributor or Sega (I’m surprised that isn’t mentioned here). Here’s footage I captured of The Definitive Version of the game being played last month; I’d also be interested in hearing from anyone who played the previous builds with this one to hear your thoughts on how it compares. I played both the old and new while in Orlando and noticed the difference, finding the new to be tighter, more responsive: