Special Criminal Investigation (Japan) - MAME machine

Arcade Video game published 35 years ago:

S.C.I. - Special Criminal Investigation © 1989 Taito corporation.

A direct sequel to 1988's "Chase H.Q.", S.C.I. once again puts the player in charge of an unmarked police car - this time a red Nissan 300ZX [Z32] T-Top turbo - in which the player must chase and capture a criminal mastermind before the time limit expires. Graphically, S.C.I. is very similar to its predecessor, although there are slight improvements with both a better use of color and the introduction of some weather effects; such as the rainy thunderstorm on the stages #1 and #4. Unlike the first game, the player is armed with a gun; this is used to take out criminals and roadblocks as the player races against the time limit, and also to capture the criminal mastermind and make an arrest before the time limit expires.

TECHNICAL
This game was available in at least 3 different dedicated cabinets, plus it was also sold as a conversion kit for "Chase H.Q".

• The sitdown version is a strange plastic monstrosity with a huge monitor. This may have been a Japan only release, as the cabinet looks very similar to the popular Japanese cabinet style.
• The standup versions are all very solid wooden affairs, covered with full painted sideart (very few games still used painted sideart in the late eighties).

All versions use Happ Controls force feedback steering wheels (the ones that can spin all the way around), a high low shifter (different versions had this on different sides), and a single pedal (gas, but some versions featured also a brake pedal).

Runs on Taito Z System hardware
Board Number: M4300140A
Prom Stickers: C09

Main CPU: (2x) Motorola 68000 (K1100492A, K1100491A)
Sound CPU: Zilog Z80
Sound Chips: Yamaha YM2610
Screen resolution: 320x240 (horizontal).

Players: 1
Control: Steering wheel (270 or 360 degree range; set in dip switches), 2-speed gear shifter (high and low) + 1 or 2 pedals (gas and brake; most cabinets have only one pedal - gas)
Buttons: 2
→ A = shoot the gun, B = use turbo.

TRIVIA
S.C.I. - Special Criminal Investigation was released in October 1989.

The player is given to control a red Nissan 300ZX [Z32] T-Top turbo, known in Japan as Nissan Fairlady Z Z32.

Soundtrack releases:
S.C.I / Taito - Pony Canyon / Scitron - PCCB-00024 - April 21, 1990

UPDATES
The Japanese version shows speed in a kilometer per hour, world and US version use a mile per hour.

Nancy is called Karen in world and US versions.

The Japanese version has a different voice and has less English text than in releases for the US and the rest of the world. Additionally, it has a territorial notice not allowing to play outside Japan, the cop siren is repainted to red and the message after stage #6 is spoken by a voice-over actor not mentioned in the staff roll.

The US version has the "Winners Don't Use Drugs" screen. Moreover, it has a territorial notice not allowing to play outside Mexico, Canada and the US.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• A little known, serious bug is in this game: Start a new game, and accelerate VERY slowly until your score reaches 90. Now STOP and just let the time run out. Once your game ends, don't continue, just let the timer run down. Once that happens, you'll notice that your score will SKYROCKET to the ridiculous amount of 76,543,210 (cheater!).
• The arrow on stages #3 and #4 always points right unlike its predecessor.
• Don't turn left on the aforementioned stages: you'll not be able to catch the criminal.
• You have only 1 turbo and 1 chance to complete stage #6. You'll have no option to continue the game after 30 seconds run out.
• After you insert the coin and are on 'Push start button' screen, hold the start button to simulate car's ignition. Remember to release the button.
• Don't error the coin: the game will lock up.

SERIES

• Chase H.Q. (1988)
• S.C.I. - Special Criminal Investigation (1989)
• Super Chase - Criminal Termination (1993)
• Ray Tracers (1997, Sony PlayStation)
• Chase H.Q. 2 (2007)

STAFF
Project leader: George Jyuttute
Game design: Hiroyuki Sakou, Fumio Horiuchi, Eiji Nishikawa
Software: George K-5, Yuichi Kikuchi, David Uematsu, Kazunori Sako
Character design: Oolong Yamada, Gyoza Ohmae, Kawamoyan, Gishikun, Kazumasa Fuseya, Gomachan, Neko Minako, Kouzou Igarashi, Takatsuna Senba, Tetsuya Shinoda, Takayuki Ogawa
Sound creator: Zuntata
Hardware: Masahiro Yamaguchi, Yuzuru Yoshimura
Mechanical design: Itsuji Yamada, Kazuaki Sasaki, Takaaki Deguchi
Design: Atsushi Iwaoka

PORTS

• CONSOLES:

[JP] NEC PC-Engine (Jan. 25, 1991) "S.C.I. - Special Criminal Investigation [Model TP03016]"
Amstrad GX4000 [JP] (1991)
[EU] Sega Master System (1992) "Special Criminal Investigation [Model 7079]"
[US] Sega Genesis (Oct. 22, 1992) "Chase H.Q. II [Model T-11106]"
[JP] Sega Mega Drive (Oct. 23, 1992) "Super H.Q. [Model T-11163]"
[JP] Sega Saturn (Jun. 9, 1996) "Chase H.Q. + S.C.I. [Model T-1105G]"
[JP] Sony PS2 (Jan. 25, 2007) "Taito Memories II Joukan [Model SLPM-66649]"

• COMPUTERS:

[EU] Atari ST (1990) "Chase H.Q. II - Special Criminal Investigation"
Commodore Amiga [US] (1990) "Chase H.Q. II - Special Criminal Investigation"
[EU] Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1990) "Chase H.Q. II"
Amstrad CPC+ [EU] (1991)
[US] Commodore C64 [EU] (1990) "Chase H.Q. II - Special Criminal Investigation"

CONTRIBUTE
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