| It used to be that to play a decent racing game, a player would need to visit an arcade. The available video game consoles didn't have the performance or graphics to do these games justice. The original Gran Turismo for the PlayStation changed all that. Titles in the Gran Turismo series are widely viewed as the best racing games ever released. Each new version of Gran Turismo has improved upon its predecessor. The newest version is by far the finest yet (at least until the release of the PS3 version). It's almost mind-boggling how richly detailed this game is. GT4 has over 700(!) drivable cars, from the 1886 Daimler Motor Carriage and Ford Model T to the Nissan 350Z Gran Turismo edition. It should be pointed out that there are cars that aren't included for licensing reasons, including Ferrari and Porsche. That said, the number of car models available is truly staggering. Furthermore, cars are customizable in ways they previously could not be. A gamer may install aerodynamic spoilers that increase downforce, cars can spit flame from their exhaust, and nitrous oxide tanks can even be installed. The entire physics and artificial intelligence of the game have been improved upon, so this game comes as close to an actual racing experience short of strapping on a helmet and actually racing a car. Over 50 courses are included on the game, including the Grand Canyon. The level of realistic detail in these courses is magnificent. Gamers have commented while driving a course they can be distracted by the realistic rendering of the scenery. |