Yet, when Matsushita acquires 3DO's M2 chipset for a new game console, Konami surprises everyone by announcing that it will develop arcade games based on the M2 hardware with possible home versions to follow, mysteriously noting that the M2 will be used in their arcade lineup for inexpensive titles demanding a reasonable amount of power. Konami declined - with that name, it could be the only company permitted to release Ultra Football , Ultra Soccer , Ultra Baseball for the system, names so powerful that they would sell cartridges even without any promotional effort. The name was changed, and Konami's plans were scrapped, but not for lack of trying. Throughout the year, the company continues to develop arcade titles using generally the same hardware found in the previous year's Speed King and Midnight Run , including a jet ski title, called Wave Shark , and an enhanced version of Midnight Run , called Winding Heat , complete with better control and graphics. At the end of 1996, Konami releases GTI Club , a driving game with incredible polygon performance that allows players to ride roads in a European town, taking all sorts of shortcuts through surprisingly navigable areas.
People begin to speculate as to what hardware was used to power the impressive game.
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