Gran Turismo review

Sony’s premiere racer guns the throttle and zooms onto your PSP

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    How it's finally here at last

  • +

    Console-quality racing on a handheld

  • +

    That the cars handle differently

Cons

  • -

    Only four cars and no damage

  • -

    How the gloss is mostly gone

  • -

    No career mode? Why?

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We can only assume that this is what Polyphony has been doing to it in that time:


Above: So... you've taken the '4' off the title? Oh, and the UMD. Good work

May 11, 2004 we saw that PSP box art and swanky UMD that implied it was ready to go. TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR. We could go on but, for the sake of our blood pressure, let's just forget that the last five years ever happened and start again. So... what have we got?

The new game features 800 vehicle models and 45 tracks. Impressive figures, although some cars are only different in name (like 5 variations ofthe Hyundai Coupe/Tiberion) and some tracks mere alternative routes around the same course such as Suzuka's East and West variations.You can also drive them in reverse to get even more lifespan from the game. Duplicates or no, it's bewildering when you're actually presented with the choice.


Above: Aaargh! We can't decide

The game is almost identical to PS2 Gran Turismo titles in terms of style and sensation of movementand, as you'll probably know, that means quality. Few sims manage to make every car model feel unique, but GT pulls it off just as convincingly on PSP as it does on PS2 or PS3.

The depth of the simulation means that G-forces (no, not theguinea pigs) are shifting as you take the turns, apply the brakes or gun the throttle. You wouldn't think a handheld racer could truly convey that sensation of steering a superpowered car around race circuits or through narrow back-streets, but PSP handles it with aplomb. At 60fps, the simulation of driving is never compromised and the faster cars are simply a pleasure to drive.


Above: Laguna Seca's challenging corners are a real proving ground

More info

GenreRacing
DescriptionGran Turismo on PSP is not quite as slick as its PS2 or PS3 brothers and the lack of a career mode is surprising. It's clumsy at times and the quality varies immensely, but it's still a class act. (Also available as a download on the PlayStation Network.)
Franchise nameGran Turismo
UK franchise nameGran Turismo
Platform"PSP"
US censor rating"Everyone"
UK censor rating"3+"
Alternative names"Gran Turismo Portable"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.