Super Monaco GP

In the arcade version of Super Monaco GP, the game is a simulation of the Monaco Grand Prix, although the actual Circuit de Monaco is replaced by a fictional track that includes many features of the actual circuit. Players must qualify for the race around a short circuit before playing the main race; failing to complete the lap before the 45-second timer ends results in a Game over. Performance on the practice lap will determine the player's starting grid position. The race is then played against 19 computer controlled drivers, and players have to maintain above a position limit which counts down, or else the game ends. Completing the race in third place or better allows the player to race again in wet conditions.

Each race consists of three laps on the main track. Before a race begins, the player has selection of the car's transmission, among an automatic, 4-speed manual, and 7-speed manual. Players control their car with a steering wheel and shift with plates mounted behind the wheel, in a similar system to cars made by Ferrari. Acceleration and braking are handled by pedals.

The idea for Super Monaco GP's arcade version came from Hisao Oguchi, who was at the time a game planner with Sega. At a younger age, Oguchi had played Monaco GP, released by Sega in 1979. When Oguchi decided to design a game based on Formula One, he started with a different name but chose Super Monaco GP after listening to opinions that the name was a good one. He referenced a parallel between the Monaco Grand Prix being the top event in racing and Sega being the top company in arcades. The game was also developed for the tenth anniversary of Monaco GP.

Super Monaco GP was the first arcade game where the arcade cabinet gave direct feedback in response to gameplay. The game's steering wheel includes force feedback with precision in response to the player's movements in-game. Utilizing the Sega X Board for an arcade system board, Super Monaco GP runs at 60 frames per second and displays on a 26 inch screen. The cabinet also includes a Fresnel lens to make the image on the game appear larger.

According to Sega Enterprises USA head Tom Petit, the arcade game was very successful, especially in Asian and European markets. In Japan, on Famicom Tsūshin's arcade earnings chart, it was second in August 1989, just below Namco's 3D polygon racing game Winning Run. It became the publication's top earner in September 1989, and retained its spot in October 1989 above Sega's arcade version of Tetris. It ended the year as the third highest-grossing arcade game of 1989 in Japan, just below Sega's Tetris and Namco's Winning Run.

Super Monaco GP was later Japan's highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1990, third highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1991, and eleventh highest-grossing arcade game of 1992. At the 1989 Gamest Awards in Japan, Super Monaco GP won a Special Award, and was nominated in the "Best Action" and "Best Graphics" categories.