This Ferrari F355 simulator available for purchase represents the pinnacle of retro sim racing.

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      These days, a racing driver looking to refine their skills off the track can easily gather PC components and create a basic system capable of running various simulators adequately. The video game industry surpassed the milestone of photorealism over a decade ago; any further enhancements, like raytracing, are simply extra for enthusiasts, such as the writer of this article. However, 25 years ago, if someone like Rubens Barrichello wanted a reasonably accurate and engaging digital simulation of driving a Ferrari sports car, it wasn’t readily available. He would need to get assistance from Ferrari’s partner, once a giant, Sega, and acquire a Ferrari F355 Challenge arcade cabinet—similar to one currently listed for sale on Bring a Trailer.

      Right from the start, I must confess that if I had a garage, I’d be competing against other bidders for this machine. Either way, I'm thrilled to see that these cabinets are receiving the recognition they deserve on platforms like Bring a Trailer, alongside actual F355s.

      For those unfamiliar with the history, the F355 Challenge was created because the iconic game designer Yu Suzuki, who was behind 1986's Out Run, sought a realistic experience of driving his own F355. He and his AM2 development team brought that vision to life, with the game debuting in arcades in 1999, followed by home versions on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 in 2000 and 2002, respectively.

      F355 Challenge was quite advanced for its time, focusing solely on mirroring the dynamics of Ferrari's sports car across several circuits used in the associated racing series. The first series of deluxe cabinets featured clutch pedals and six-speed shifters, along with paddle shifters, which were innovative at that time. While it may seem dated by today’s standards, genuine three-pedal manual transmissions were rare in arcades aside from early 3D simulators like Hard Drivin’, which was already outdated by the time F355 was released.

      These deluxe cabinets also included a triple-screen setup, anticipating the future preferences of many sim racing fans. Sega equipped them with four NAOMI arcade boards: one for each screen, and another as a master to synchronize everything. I had the chance to experience driving a deluxe machine a few years ago, and despite the years taking a toll on its controls and force-feedback system, I still enjoyed the experience immensely.

      Here I am, seated in an F355 Challenge deluxe cabinet. Those other individuals are paying homage to Yu Suzuki—it’s quite a story. Photo by Josh Davis

      Additionally, you might spot a message inscribed on the seatbacks in the listing. This heartfelt note, authored by Yu Suzuki, captures the spirit of the time and I find it charming: “In 1985, there was Hang On, followed by Out Run in 1986. Over the years, I’ve developed numerous driving games, always aiming to create a game where professional drivers could outperform game enthusiasts. After a decade, I finally accomplished this objective. With Ferrari's collaboration and numerous pro drivers, I created a machine that resembles a real racing simulator more than a game, and I hope it evokes the same passion and emotions as an actual Ferrari. I now present this game for the enjoyment of motorsports fans globally.”

      I’m skeptical that anyone would claim F355 Challenge truly replicates the real driving experience today, but it is enjoyable and still requires precision and skill, similar to modern racing simulators. Suzuki once mentioned that Barrichello was interested in acquiring such a machine, although I haven’t found confirmation that he actually did. Someone should inquire next time they see him.

      Unfortunately, the cabinet for sale on BaT is a dual, two-player model, which does not include the six-speed shifter and clutch pedal. Nonetheless, that wouldn’t deter me, and it shouldn’t deter you either. The unit is based in Connecticut and is being auctioned with no reserve, but the bidding has already hit $4,500 at the time of this writing, with two days remaining.

      With three 29-inch CRT monitors, the deluxe unit must have weighed as much as a small planet. It even had the ability to print out telemetry data of your driving! Sega via Sega Retro

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