![Take Yutaka GI Memory [Model SHVC-AGBJ-JPN] screenshot](images/game/62465_2.png "Take Yutaka GI Memory [Model SHVC-AGBJ-JPN]")
武豊G1メモリー © 1995 N&G Project
(Take Yutaka GI Memory)
Take Yutaka GI Memory is a horse racing simulation game centered on the career and expertise of legendary Japanese jockey Yutaka Take. Rather than functioning as a standard sports title, it is a highly produced "celebrity simulation" that incorporates real-world racing personalities and historical narratives. The game features an immersive "Memorial Mode," allowing players to train iconic thoroughbreds such as Ten Point, Mr. CB, Super Creek, Mejiro McQueen, and Tokai Teio, each with unique story scenarios.
GAME ID: SHVC-AGBJ-JPN
Technical Specifications: It was released as a 24-megabit FastROM cartridge with battery-backed SRAM for saving player progress and training records, essential for the "Memorial Mode" scenarios.
Released on July 21, 1995 in Japan.
Production Pedigree: The game is famous for its "all-star" cast of Japanese racing experts who contributed to the production. It features race commentary by the legendary announcer Kiyoshi Sugimoto, poetry by Naoto Shima, planning advice by racing writer Akihiro Shimada, and expert commentary by the famous racing analyst Keijiro Okawa.
The "N&G Project": This title was a collaborative effort between the publisher Naxat Soft and the developer Gaps, often credited collectively as the "N&G Project." This joint venture was common for high-profile licensed simulation games on the Super Famicom during the mid-90s.
Gameplay Criticisms: Despite its high production values and licensed credentials, the game is frequently cited in retro-gaming circles for its punishing "luck-based" mechanics. Many players found that numerical stats had a negligible impact on race outcomes, earning it a reputation among fans as an "un-ge" (a game defined entirely by luck rather than skill).
Cultural Context: In 1995, Yutaka Take was already a cultural icon in Japan. This game served as a digital museum of his successes and the history of Japanese horse racing, capitalizing on the peak of the 90s horse racing boom in Japan.