When it arrived in North America, Sega’s new machine represented the most extravagant and expensive arcade system ever. It made Namco’s Pole Position—and every other racing simulator—seem primitive. Gamers went ape, and Japan couldn’t build Hang-On cabinets fast enough to meet demand. Best of all, Suzuki later admitted the whole project was an elaborate tribute to his real-world roadracing hero: “Freddie Spencer’s riding style, it was so nice, and my game was like an homage. That’s the reason I wanted to make it—he rode a Honda bike, and I loved the way he hung on!”