Overall: 10

Gameplay: 10
Graphics: 9
Sound: 9
Concept: 10
Replay Value: 10

Aptly titled 'The real Driving Simulator', Gran Turismo has everything good from previous racing games and more. It features over 150 true to life cars, with some of the best console physics of any game before it. Add the ability to customize your car with a variety of parts and enhancements, and realistically tune aspects like gear ratio and ride height, and it's a real winner.

The meat of the game is the 'Simulation' mode, where you begin with 10,000 credits (1 credit equals roughly $1). Using this small nest-egg, your goal is to buy a car to start your racing career and move up the ranks. At first, only a used car is affordable, but with the huge number of total cars, there are still several to choose from. Thankfully, at first the only races that are available are the low-challenge, low-payout Spot Races. To compete in the more challenging, higher-earnings races, a license is required (and a faster car). The tests are generally short, demanding timed runs of one or two coners of a particular track, and to pass them they must be driven with great precision.

As Simulation mode progresses, you'll able to buy better cars and modifications, but the best vehicles can only be won, either from the races or by doing excellently in the licenses. There are over 15 race series to choose from, and many have special requirements limiting which cars can enter; for example, the 4WD Challenge only allows Four-Wheel-Drive cars, and the UK vs Japan Race only allows British or Japanese cars.

The graphics aren't quite as flashy as many of the other racing games out there, but they're there where it counts. The cars are excellently modeled after thier real-life counterparts, down to hood intakes and side gills. The special racing modification body kits are a joy as well, with sponsor stickers and wild paint schemes emblazoned on the cars. While Gran Turismo doesn't have the glitz of other racers, like tire skid marks and lens flares, it really shines in the race replays. You can watch the replays from the vantage point of any of the six cars in the race, either from the car itself or from the fixed angles on the track. In the replays, you'll notice little details like reflections on the cars, and if you don't wash your car, it will get duller to the point where it won't reflect. Though while the graphics are fairly impressive, the gameplay is what this game is really all about.

Sounds are brilliant. The engines sound like they're growling at low speeds, whining at high, just like in real life. Turbocharged engines sound like turbocharged engines. The exhaust notes change as cars are modified. You'll hear the tires give slight squeals of complaint as you push the limits, and you'll really hear it when you spin out. The only detraction is the music. The musical tracks are real songs from real bands, such as Ash, Cubanate, and Garbage, and while some of them are very good songs, they don't always quite fit. None of them are what I personally consider 'driving' songs, and the real turnoff is the fact that the game doesn't shuffle the songs, but repeats them after they're over. That's fine for 3 or 5 lap races, which may take somewhere between 3-10 minutes. However, there are three endurance races in the game, which take from 45 to 90 minutes to complete. That means you'll be hearing the same song long enough for it to be etched in your brain for eternity. Luckily, there is an option to turn off the music altogether.

The idea behind Gran Turismo is the real winner. There are plenty of arcade racing games out there, with bent physics engines designed for speed speed and more speed. There are also more detailed simulation games, with better physics, but only featuring a handful of cars. Gran Turismo outdoes both by having 11 different maufacturers and over 150 cars, with physics and tuning options that rival many simulation games. This combination raised Gran Turismo to the rank of a classic, and helped the console racing game genre balloon almost overnight.

With plenty of cars to choose from, Gran Turismo will give an avid player literally hundreds of hours of gameplay. Add to this the various levels of modification and learning the fine points of vehicle tuning, and this is a game which may rarely leave your Playstation. Once the game is seemingly mastered and the player has all the best cars, it's never over. With Memory Card Battle, racers can go head to head with thier favorite cars and setups. There's always the goal of getting the unique cars from the license tests - there's one for each test - which will try even the best racer. And there's always more challenging action considering you can tune your car to give you a minimal advantage, or even a disadvanatge, over the opponents, and try to take the checkered flag. There really is no end to this game.

Since its release, Gran Turismo has spawned two sequels, Gran Turismo 2 on the Playstation and Gran Turismo 3 on the Playstation 2. While all are excellent games, GT2 is generally considered the best of the three, even considering the wonderful graphics of GT3. If you have a choice, it may be better to pick up the second game before the first, though both can provide months of enjoyment.

Overall, this is an excellent game deserving of a spot in any gamer's library. It's approachable for a new player, and has enough details to keep a serious gamer interested. Car buffs will find plenty to do, considering their favorite car or company is most likely included. Even if the game itself gets boring, there's always head to head battle with your friends. Truly a top-notch game.

Recommended: Yes