The car I chose to review and play this game is a black BNR32 Nissan Skyline GT-R since it is the only car in the game that I've owned in the past. I just made my plate identical to the last car I owned while I lived in Japan. In Japan, people take this very seriously. I guess they didn't want to be responsible for any liabilities if somebody's real plate is duplicated. Real plates in Japan have a maximum of 4 main numbers, but for the game's sake they made it 5. Next you choose the main 5-digit number for the license plate. The 'Y' is designated to US servicemen so that it's easier for the police to profile them.

Just don't choose a 'RE' or a 'WA' as those are designated for rental cars in real life. After that you are to choose the hiragana identifier that goes to the left of the main identification number. If you want to be realistic, then enter the correct number which the chosen car is classified under. If you don't' care about this, enter a random number. All cars are classified by their size, weight, and engine displacement. After that you have to choose the classification number. After you choose your car you create a license plate to your liking. Suzuki? Yeah, they had to add a Cappuccino in there for good measure. After this, you are asked to choose a car. Just skip this part by using defaults unless you really care how your character looks. If you're not Japanese, or even Asian, it may be a bit difficult to make your character look like you. You can do minor modifications to your character to make them look like you. After choosing your gender, you choose a name for yourself. Upon starting the game on mode you are asked to choose if you're a male or female. Think of it as The Fast and the Furious movies, which are thought of as an abomination to the tuning culture by tuning purists. The franchise is not nicely received by people who are really into the scene in which the franchise represents, which is why I never bothered with it. Keep in mind as you read this review that I have never read the manga or seen the anime. This review will have two parts one through the eyes of a gamer, and the other through the eyes of a car enthusiast.

Initial D Extreme Stage