The arcade version did not feature the stunt wing ability, which allowed player to perform maneuvers in the air whilst gliding. All console ports featured a variation from the arcade version, that being the addition of stunt wings. When released under licence as Midway Arcade Treasures 3, the Slim Jim advertisements were removed and replaced with Midway Games logos. The Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast versions, as in the original arcade version, contain Dickies and Slim Jim advertisements. San Francisco Rush 2049 was ported to the Nintendo 64 and the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 by Midway Games. The arcade version includes eight music tracks, six of which are used during gameplay. The Dreamcast version includes twenty music tracks, many of which are the same as the arcade versions and some of which are exclusive to that version. The N64 version contains twelve music tracks, almost all of which are exclusive to that version and do not feature in the arcade versions. The Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast versions of have almost entirely unique soundtracks. All songs were composed and produced by Barry Leitch. Rush 2049's soundtrack mostly comprises genres of big beat, break beat, D&B, and techno. This game was the final game released to carry the Atari Games moniker prior to the company being renamed Midway Games West.
In 2003, Betson Enterprises released an upgrade, called San Francisco Rush 2049 Special Edition, that added two new tracks, ten new cars, and new shortcuts.
#GAMEFABRIQUE SAN FRANCISCO RUSH 2049 UPGRADE#
The upgrade was recalled soon after as Midway shut down its online tournament network, although it may still be found in a few sites that retained it such as Video Bobs Starbase Arcade in San Rafael which was heavily involved in play-testing as a result of their proximity to the Midway West campus.
It also had the ability to connect to an external server, via a T1 network connection, and play against other players in an online tournament. In 2000, Midway released an upgraded version, Tournament Edition, that fixed bugs and added new tracks and cars. The racetracks contain a total of 100 coins which when found unlock new cars and paint jobs. In each stage the player must race seven other CPU-controlled cars. This version features a roster of five playable tracks and eight different cars, with more unlocked as the player progresses through the game. The original San Francisco Rush 2049 was released in 1999. The machine used a 3dfx Voodoo 3 graphics card. A telephone-like keypad to the right of the steering wheel gave players the option of choosing a PIN and allowed them to earn points to unlock new cars and tracks. The arcade version was an eight-player game (but more commonly bought in pairs), sit-down machine with force feedback steering wheels, gear shifts, and three pedals (gas, brake, and clutch). The game's soundtrack mostly comprises Big Beat, Break Beat and Drum N' Bass. The single player race mode places emphasis on outlandish and death-defying shortcuts, creating a risk and reward structure to the gameplay. Different Automobiles and Automobile components are unlockable throughout the progression of the game, but cheat codes can allow for the instant achievement of these components.
There are six race tracks, four stunt arenas, eight battle arenas and one unlockable obstacle course named 'The Gauntlet'. The game also includes a multiplayer deathmatch battle mode and race mode for up to four players. As with previous titles in the franchise, Rush 2049 features a stunt mode in which the player scores points for complex mid-air maneuvers and successful landings. This feature is a product of the science fiction setting and as such is not seen in other entries in the Rush series. Cars have the ability to extend wings from their lateral aspects, allowing for mid-air adjustments.
Race tracks are based around a futuristic representation of San Francisco. The game features an arcade-style physics engine.