Gran Turismo

Polyphony Digital's seminal racing simulator for the PlayStation.

Overview

Gran Turismo was produced by Japanese based studio Polyphony Digital and published in Japan in 1997. It went on to become one of the most successful console racing games ever made.

Gameplay

At the time of release, many PC racing games featured realistic, simulation style handling but there were few such titles for systems like the Playstation. Gran Turismo was one of the first games to bring a realistic style of car physics and handling to a home console. This was made possible by the increased computing power brought about by the Playstation generation of hardware.

The player competes in competitions to earn money, which is then spent on new vehicles or upgrades to already purchased ones. A competition consists of a number of discrete races, and depending on a player's finishing position a trophy is awarded. In addition, more mundane changes were possible, such as changing a vehicle's wheel design or oil. These changes remained available in later Gran Turismo titles as well.

The game features 178 cars and 11 race tracks including two real world locations. It also featured a robust car modification system that allowed players to upgrade their car's performance in a number of key areas:

Engine
Exhaust
Gearbox
Aerodynamics
Weight

License Tests

Grand Turismo included a unique tutorial to introduce players to the style of driving necessary, which was unusual in console racing games at the time. The player was required to earn "Licenses" in game, in order to unlock more advanced races. The licenses (B, A and International A) are each achieved by completing eight sections of increasing difficulty, which serve to introduce driving techniques and ensure players are proficient enough in them to pass. These license tests were completed with varying trophy grades depending on the finish times. Gold trophies are by far the hardest to attain, but completing a license with all gold trophies tends to unlock a reward car which can be kept and used in races. Typically the Silver times proved challenging, though Bronze was the minimum that could be achieved.

Car Manufacturers

The original Gran Turismo featured mainly Japanese cars, with a few big-name brands from the US and UK:

Acura
Aston Martin
Chevrolet
Dodge
Honda
Mazda
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Subaru
Toyota
TVR

The range of cars in the game is broad, hatchbacks, wagons, sedans and sports cars all being available for use, though the more eclectic brands such as Dodge and TVR only featured high-end automobiles. Depending on the game's region (eg. NTSC and PAL), the cars contained may have different information. For example, Acura appeared only in NTSC copies of the game, while it was listed as Honda in PAL copies. This was due to the fact that Acura is not marketed in European regions, acting as Honda's American division. Some of the cars are limited only to Arcade mode instead of Simulation Mode, while some of the cars in the game simply are not meant to be seen for various reasons.

Another key example of the manufacturers and regional differences is with the Toyota GT-ONE Le Mans car. In PAL copies the car features a red and white livery with the Esso branding running across it. In NTSC copies the Esso branding is replaced with Exxon, though the other decals present on the car remain constant. Minor differences like these can be noted in the game throughout.

Cars

Toyota

Starlet Glanza V
Corolla Levin BZG
Sprinter Trueno BZG
Celica GT-Four
Mark II '92 Tourer V
Mark II '92 Tourer S
Chaser Tourer V
Chaser Tourer S
Soarer '95 2.5 GT-T
Soarer 2.5 GT-T VVT-i
MR2 G-Limited
MR2 GT-S
Supra '95 SZ-R
Supra SZ-R
Supra RZ
MA70 Supra GT Turbo Limited
JZA70 Supra Twin Turbo R
AE86 Corolla Levin GT-APEX
AE86 Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX

Nissan

Fairlady Z ver.S 2 by 2
Fairlady Z TwinTurbo 2 by 2
Fairlady Z ver.S 2-seater
Fairlady Z ver.S TT 2-seater
R32 Skyline '89 GT-R
R32 Skyline '91 GT-R
R32 Skyline GT-R Vspec
R32 Skyline GT-R Vspec II
R32 Skyline GT-R NISMO
R32 Skyline GTS-t Type M
R32 Skyline GTS25 Type S
R32 Skyline GTS4
R33 Skyline GTS25t Type M
R33 Skyline '95 GT-R
R33 Skyline '95 GT-R Vspec
R33 Skyline GT-R
R33 Skyline GT-R Vspec
S14 Silvia Q's
S14 Silvia K's
S14 Silvia '95 Q's
S14 Silvia '95 K's
S13 Silvia '91 Q's 2000cc
S13 Silvia '91 K's 2000cc
S13 Silvia '88 Q's 1800cc
S13 Silvia '88 K's 1800cc
Primera '90 2.0Te
Primera '95 2.0Te
180SX '95 Type X
180SX Type X
180SX Type S

Mitsibishi

Pulsar '91 GTi-R
GTO '92 SR
GTO '92 Twin Turbo
GTO '95 SR
GTO '95 Twin Turbo
GTO '95 MR
GTO SR
GTO Twin Turbo
Galant VR-G Touring
Galant VR-4
Eclipse GT
FTO '94 GR
FTO '94 GPX
FTO GR
FTO GPX
FTO GP version R
Lancer EvoIII GSR
Lancer EvoIV GSR

Honda

Mirage Asti RX
Mirage '92 Cyborg R
Prelude '93 Si
Prelude '94 VTEC
Prelude
Prelude SH
Civic Sedan
Civic 3-Door
Civic (racer)
del Sol '93 S
del Sol '93 Si
Civic '91 CR-X Si
Civic '93 3-Door Si
Civic '93 Sedan
Accord Sedan
Accord Wagon
NSX '91
NSX '93
NSX
NSX Type S
NSX Type S Zero
Integra GS-R
Integra Type R

Mazda

E unos Cosmo 13B Type-SCCS
Eunos Cosmo 20B Type-ECCS
Lantis Coupe 2000 Type-R
Eunos Roadster '89 Normal
Eunos Roadster '90 V-special
Eunos Roadster '92 S-special
Eunos Roadster Normal
Eunos Roadster V-special
Eunos Roadster S-special
FD Efini RX-7 '91 Type-R
FD Efini RX-7 Type RZ
FD Efini Rx-7 Type RB
FD Efini Rx-7 Touring-X
FD Efini Rx-7 A spec
FC Savanna RX-7 GT-X
FC Savanna RX-7 Efini III
Demio GL-X
Demio GL
Demio LX-G package

Subaru

Alcyone SVX Version L
Legacy Touring Sedan RS
Legacy Touring Wagon GT-B
Legacy '93 Touring Sport RS
Legacy '93 Touring Wagon GT
Impreza WRX-Sti Type-R
Impreza '96 Sedan WRX
Impreza '96 Sed. WRXSti vIII
Impreza '96 Wag. WRXSTi vIII
Impreza '95 Sed. WRXSTi vII
Impreza '95 Wag. WRXSTi VII
Impreza '94 Sedan WRX
Impreza '94 Wagon WRX

Aston Martin

DB7 Coupe
DB7 Volante

Dodge

Viper RT/10
Viper GTS

TVR

Cerbera
Griffith 500
Griffith 4.0

Corvette

Camaro Z28
Corvette '96 Coupe
Corvette '96 Grand Sport

Tracks

Autumn Ring
Autumn Ring Mini
Clubman Stage Route 5
Deep Forest Raceway
Grand Valley Speedway
Grand Valley Speedway East
High Speed Ring
Special Stage Route 5
Special Stage Route 11
Test Course
Trial Mountain Circuit

Upgrades and Tuning

Polyphony's racer has an extensive level of simulation and physics emulation. This allows for a robust tuning system, making it possible to adjust or even completely overhaul a car's handling and power. Dependent on what upgrades are installed, a car's characteristics may be altered in a multitude of ways. From ride height and tire composition, to gear ratios and boost timings, Grand Turismo had no parallel on consoles of the time.