I've heard of numerous accounts from my friends that the US version has been destroyed by Tokyopop. Mainly they scrapped the entire awesome Eurobeat(or Para Para) soundtrack in favor of a more Hip-Hop/Rapcore(<--GROOSSSS
)or "American Friendly" soundtrack, the names have been changed(Takumi to "Tak", Istuki to "Iggy" and other bogus shit like that.)
Also, I heard that they added really lame digital filters to the CG race scenes. Is this true? cause if it is, I'ma gonna get reallllly pissed at Tokyopop.