slow progress on the Daytona USA conversion, several members of the Virtua Fighter 2 team were reassigned to Daytona USA. AM2 completed the conversion in April 1995. It was a Western launch game for Saturn, and was also released for Windows. Reception and legacy Arcade Daytona USA was popular in arcades. In Japan, it was the ninth highest-grossing arcade game of 1994, and the highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1995. In North America, it was listed by Play Meter as one of the top two highest-grossing arcade video games of 1994, with the twin cabinet receiving a Diamond Award from the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) that year; it again received a Diamond Award the following year for being one of America's top three best-selling arcade games of 1995. In the United Kingdom, it topped the dedicated arcade charts for six months in 1994, from May to October. In a 2002 report, Sega said it was one of the most successful arcade games of all time. Retro Gamer's Nick Thorpe said that though Daytona USA is considered anecdotally one of the most successful arcade games for its multiplayer and longevity, exact figures were difficult to find. In 2015, IGN's Luke Reilly said that the game is "perhaps the most recognisable arcade racing game of all time and the highest-grossing sit-down cabinet ever" and noted the continued presence of Daytona USA cabinets in arcades and bowling alleys. The original arcade game was critically acclaimed. Upon its North American debut at ACME 1994, it received a highly positive reception from Play Meter and RePlay magazines, which both considered it the game of the show while praising the graphics and gameplay, but with Play Meter criticizing the expensive $20,000 cabinet price. Rik Skews of Computer and Video Games praised its "state-of-the-art" graphics, sound, and damage physics, and said that the gameplay was difficult but "pitched perfect". He called Daytona USA the best arcade game he had played in years. Bob Strauss of Entertainment Weekly gave the game an A and wrote: "Picture yourself watching a sci-fi movie, set in a futuristic arcade, that involves a dizzying car race. 'Wow!' you can imagine saying to yourself, 'How did they do those special effects?' You'll have the same reaction while enjoying Daytona USA". Writing for GamePro, Manny LaMancha commented on the improved graphics and more sensitive steering than Virtua Racing. He stated that Daytona USA