Stakes Winner 2

So... I have had this game for a long time now... Seemed interesting, and I got it real cheap. Problem was, I never really could figure it out. I played it about a year ago, then put it to rest on my shelf. Well, tonight I couldn't sleep... thought you know what, I want to play some Neo Geo, but I am not in the mood for the same old thing... I pulled out Stakes Winner 2, I sat down and learned how to play the game.. and you know what, it is pretty damn good!!!!

I just beat the game about 5mins ago, I have to say that it is really a unique game with very deep playability. The careful purchasing of items (since you can only carry one into a race) and the delicate balance of how hard you push your horse in a race as well as knowing what items will give you the best edge without tiring the horse to quickly. This game is a lot of fun! I choose Earthquake off the bat, and he was a pretty toned horse to begin with, but even the little training session (although all are identical just with different backdrops) are fun and help you balance out your horse...

Anyway, I just wanted to rant here, since I rarely see anyone talk about this game. I may not run to play this game again right away, but I had fun with it, and I will deffinetly come back for more on this one.... oh yeah, and I did not beat my rival in the final race, so I may have more to see anyway (!)... it's a good game, kind of a quirky twist on the car racer... with a lot more depth then most arcade games... anyone else out there enjoy this game?

-Nick

[ April 20, 2002: Message edited by: nruva ]</p>

Stakes Winner is rich of fun. But I think it's AES Value is way too expensive.

Yeah, I don't know what it cost for the home system, but it was only $20 on MVS, and is well worth it for that price

-Nick

I LOVE Stakes Winner 2. Horse racing with power-ups, and a lot more depth than most people would imagine possible in a horse racing game. I haven't had much time to play it over the last month or so, and I haven't had it that long (not easy to find on NGH) but damn, it's all true what you said about it. I'm probably the only person who would rather play Stakes Winner than most other games on the system, but hey, it's damn fun. The furthest I have actually made it was the 4th race I think, where my horse (I think Shining Star) kept dying because I didn't use enough foresight with he power-up I bought, didn't balance it out properly. So I have it saved there. It's well worth the price if you can find this game on any format (MVS, NGH, SS, PS) so give it at least a try, people.

Yeah, the nice thing about unlimited continues was I could keep trying out different items to see how they would effect a race I just lost... man that last Japan cup is so hard!!! You have a rivial and he has this sort of speed boost he uses towards the finish line. I just try to use the soft whip and pray my power doesn't dip to low. I usually just fell out at the last few seconds... running out of stamania and walking in 7 or 8th place... Finally I took the soft saddle, blaned to only jam on the B button when it was 100% needed... and just jammed A all the way... When I got to the end, we sprinted but only got 2nd place my rival getting first!!!! damnit... hehe, it was amazing though, you would think I had money riding on some of these races, I got so excited when we came in first!

-Nick