Wangan Midnight: R is a racing game based on the Wangan Midnight manga. For Arcade it is a revised and updated version of Wangan Midnight while for the PS2 it is the first version and the first home console release in the series as well. The PS2 release has an AC Scenario mode (original Arcade Scenario mode), Mission mode, Time Attack mode and an i.Link Battle mode (local multiplayer) similar to the Versus mode used for the two units of the arcade cabinet. There is also a Replay Theater where replays of races can be viewed. The mission mode has a number of challenges against one or more opponents divided over eleven series (series one to ten and then Tune as the final one). The game contains licensed cars from the manufacturers Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, RUF, Subaru and Toyota.
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Uniquely, this game adapts the lifebar system from the Shutokou Battle / Tokyo Xtreme Racer series, where instead of traditional "race from point A to point B" format, you and your opponent each have a lifebar that depletes when striking walls, other cars, or falling behind, and the first player to run out of life loses. That said, there is still the traditional method of being ahead of your opponent when time runs out, if the setting for that is on. In practice, many battles will end in timeout since it takes a bit for lifebars to drain over time, unless the timer is turned off, as was the case for Versus mode when I played this at my local arcade -- Nickel City in San Jose, California (sadly now defunct).
I personally love the soundtrack, it's by Yuzo Koshiro who many WMMT fans know from his trance soundtracks. It's considerably more dramatic and has a more jazzy and "old movie car chase" feel to it, combined with the moodier graphics compared to the WMMT games and it makes races feel more gritty.