i had the joy of a ridge racer competition over the years passing a psp back and forth with my uncle trying to blitz sunset drive. we shaved mere milliseconds off each other for the course of a summer, and then we wouldnt see each other for a while, and then we’d come back having learned a slightly different strategy and line and chunk a half second off the record time and the game would start again. it’s been a while since i played type 4 in earnest but i rec’d it to a certain noellefie and i hope she gives it a shot. the psp game is the one with the most magical feel in my hands though. 7 and unbounded feel a tiny bit too simmy, too replete with chunky slow physics and a wide field of view that encourages well anticipated lines rather than instinct and raw reaction. i never thought of the arcadey, grimly determined headspace as being specifically chuuni, but i recognise a certain affinity for expertise and mastery in me that optimising a highly specific challenge really tickles. its like one of those highly flawed minmaxxed characters that if you figure out their obvious weakness will fold, but their one exceptional skill is still highly potent. less chuuni, more tailored weapon full of wariness and intense self knowledge. they have a scarf that billows in the wind that covers the lower half of their faces, and they don’t respond to silly provocation.

I should check out Robot Alchemic Drive as well… I don’t know if it’s exactly as you described it, but I really like the kinesthetic feeling of using the joysticks as limbs. I don’t care about boxing, but I really liked the PS2 Fight Night games because you used the analog sticks to puppeteer your little boxing man to jab or hook or what have you.