OT: Gran Turismo 4 is heaven second only to a real 911

I've been playing this game nonstop since it's release yesterday. I even went and purchased the Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel. The physics are outstanding and the graphics are amazing, especially since it can pump out graphics at 1080i HDTV resolutions. GT4 has 700 cars and over 100 tracks. The game does feature cars by RUF, so you can get your Porsche fix. Do yourself a favor and get this game and practice on the tracks before the weather gets better!

The force feedback on the Logitech setup is supposed to be incredible. GT4 is only available for PS2, correct? Not for XBox?

PS2 Only, but Forza Racing is coming out on Xbox and that one is awesome as well.

Get back to work RJ

can�t wait to get it... it will only be released in 12 days here... that game just needed a real manual tranny to be perfect.... it must be soo great..

No kidding!! I got mine tuesday night. SOOOOoooooo ADDICTING!! I can't wait for Spring and the real thing now!! Chad

A review from a friend of mine.... First, the cars. Yes, there are 700+ cars in this game. What they don't tell you is 699 of them are obscure toyotas from the 1980's. Want a Ferrari, too bad, want a Lambo, nope, how about a Porsche, nope, just a couple RUF's. ANY '05 Audi? Nope. Bentley Contie GT? Nope. Aston Martin DB1-6? **** off. The list goes on and on and ****ing on. Next the graphics. This game would be considered to have GREAT graphics... a half a decade ago. The PS2 just doesn't have what it takes anymore to rival the X-Box. Of course the graphics don't make a game. That brings us to the next point... The gameplay. You want a real driving simulator? You want a sense of speed and physics that make you think you're really driving? Well then sell the ****ing PS2, go by an old dreamcast and pick up Ferrari Challenge. I kept hearing how much improved the physics were in this game. I have decided that they simply is a ****ing lie. Sure it may be a tad bit better, but the cars have hardly any sense of weight, change direction WAY too easily, and just feel plain old "floaty". They've also ignored the AI for the other drivers. They STILL stick to one racing line and god help you if you're in it. Pass? Why do they need to pass when they can just come up from behind you and ram your ***. Yeah, there's some ****ing realism. So, in conclusion, if you just can't wait till Forza comes out, or you like a more arcade feel to your racing sims, buy this game. If not, for the love of god wait, I sure wish I did...

Umm...Nick. Dood...it's just a game. I think your friend needs relaxation therapy. Chad Good and bad for both : Forza vs. GT4 article

I believe you're right.

Audi is in the game. Ferarri, Lambo, and Porsche are not because Electronic Arts holds the license on PS2. Blame EA, not GT4. The graphics are better than any console racing game bar none. If you have an HDTV you'll see that instantly. I agree about the AI, it sucks, but I doubt Forza will be better... every other Microsoft sports game has fallen short.

And the best part: GT4 includes the whole N�rburgring! Yep, the Nordschleife! huh... I wonder whether the game will help improve my driving there, or rather will make it (even) worse... --Pierre

The x-box underground need for speed is pretty fun. I played it over x-mas time at a friends house. However it was lame that the upgrades didn't show hp etc.

Is it worth buying the whole ps2/logitech periph./and GT4......My usual attention span with most X-box games is a few days only, is the gt4 that much better than most games...yes i'll be playing on 1080i HD.

I went through all the various video games and gizmos back in the mid 90's. It turned out cheaper to build and race a real race car, and more fun too. Back then it was Spec RX-7 and it cost about 500 bucks for a car and about 750 for the cage shocks and tires. What a blast. I hear they have a spec Miata series in SCCA now...but I guess the video gear is cheaper and better too.

One complaint: Unlike GT3, you ALWAYS start in the back!!!! Bummer. What happened to the time trials?!! With the short number of laps, I have to soup up the car to awesome to catch the leader before the race is done and get the gold. After I catch the leader, the car is now so awesome it's boring. Or maybe I have to RTFM!! I've been having so much fun I havent opened the darn manual. Heh-heh-heh.

Actually, if you go to the "practice" session of the track, you qualify like in the old game... Chad

My Opinion... GT4 is the BEST racing game on PS2, but might not be the BEST Racing Video Game. That's still up for debate... Forza Racing may lack the number of cars and tracks, but its pretty BAD ***. IMO, I would rather play Forza than GT4... FORZA RACING looks FREAKING Awesome! Makes GT4 look 16bit.

If you're looking for near perfect physics, real world car setup/tweakin', huge online racing communities with teams-matches-tourneys-points brakets -- the whole shootin' match ... Then ditch the consoles and climb into games like GT-R or Live for Speed on PC.

The PC racing games are great, but it can't bear a 55" HDTV set + Logitech Driving Force Pro (yes it is worth it) + 5.1 audio. As far as Forza goes, I'm not falling for the hype until the game is released. The preview builds have gotten mixed reviews and MS Games has a ****ty track record on the Xbox.

Yea I guess Halo 2 was a flop...

My setup is in my living room, I usually play GT3 sitting on the couch. Where do you put this Logitech wheel on your lap? Coffee table?

True, you've got me beat on the 55" HD. But Logitech's rig, while capable, doesn't hold a candle to the setups you can get from folks like these: http://www.interactiveracing.com http://ecci6000.com/consumerhome.htm As a side note, have you seen this? http://www.force-dynamics.com/images.shtml

From my experiences, the Gran Turismo game is quite simply the most complete racing game imagineable--the attention to detail, etc that has gone into everything is incredible. I am not some crazy gamer or anything, but All of the Gran Turismo franchises have beaten the pants off of everything else on the market. Licensing issues aside, you can still drive a lot of cool cars, and the physics and graphics are spot on....may not be as much eye candy as Xbox, but the "racing simulator" games I have played on Xbox, with that horrid controller, are pure rubbish. My $.02 PS--Nick, if it's such a ****ty game, why does the entire online gaming community regard it as the holy grail of racing games? You must know something that none of the rest of the gaming industry does...

Well you guy's tempted me into this , and I bought the console,the game and the logitech wheel. I hooked it up to my 65" hdtv....I am not impressed with the graphics....far inferior to pc/x-box graphics...the game is good....i went to options and set the console for widescreen format and 1080i (yes, I did purchase the seperate component cable), still the graphics are blurry. Nothing like the images posted on first page (only the intro. movie is that clear) The lap setup for the wheel is not stable, i'll be attaching it to a table this evening....so far I only played the single arcade mode. Yet, I think it will keep me interested for more than the usual few days.

I've been waiting for this game forever(did'nt know it was out these couple of days.). and just in time too. my home theater with the 100" HD projector just got done. Gotta go out and find this game. Peter

GT4 is good but imagine if someone took the Need For Speed Porsche Challenge and updated the graphics/game play...now that would be the best game ever.

yeah, I gotta pick that one up. Until then it's jacking a Comet on San Andreas for me.

Or is there a PC version?

That was Bungie's core team. Not the MS XBox game unit.

Something is up with your TV because the game is not blurry on my Sony Grand Wega. It looks just like the screen shots.

Monday i should be getting my copies of the game and I can see what it looks like in 1080i

Mine looks great (but not as sweet as the intro movie). Also using the component cables/1080i on a 53 inch Hitachi Ultravision.

Wife says it's her Christmas gift for me this year

where did you guys get the component cables for the ps2?

You can get the component cables most places that will sell the PS2 (walmart, gamespot, bestbuy,etc.). I got mine hooked up to the downstairs 55 HDTV (my wife was not happy the PS2 left the bonus room, but hey, what the heck). My problem is that my TV only has one HDTV component input, and that is occupied by the cable box! I hooked it into the regular component input, and all I got was 480p (which isn't that bad, but not 1080i). Anyone know if you can get a switch box for DTV component inputs (or would any component selector work)? Also, anyone built there own racing cockpit - I want to build a racing seat and cockpit for the wheel/pedals and am looking for ideas? thanks, enjoy the game

Re-read my post. It's not "MY" review and "I" didn't say it was a ****ty game.

Nick--Apologies--I didn't read closely enough...Just didn't want a flame war to start up over someone happy about the GT4 game only to be thrown to the wolves for liking it because of someone else's opinion...

I have a question for you and mike, who are using component cables. What annoys me are those white markings on the roads and the billboard signs, they are clear when it's close, but those lines just a few feet away are broken up and flickering,and shifty. Do you guys see the same, it annoys the heck out of me. The game is great, but I still haven't found the perfect place to hook up the logitech setup yet. everything other than a racing seat setup appears to bve inadequate.

I'm using component cables and running the game at 1080i. There is an issue with many PS2 systems getting blurry/distorted. This happens with one of my PS2s, but not the other. The issue is widely talked about on my GT4 forums. Here are pics of my GT4 set-up. The seat is made my Playseat and it is awesome!

That is one serious setup!!! Where do you purchase such a setup and what does it run?

I bought it from Amazon.com for $300. Here's the link.

Thanks for the link.

Just got my copies of the game and right off the bat there is no sense of speed. Sorry....

^ i'll have to agree with kirby on this one. i've managed to log a dozen or so hrs on the game at a friends house and while the physics are still very good, features are ample and some of the tracks awsomely fun (grand canyon, and that one where you race thru the small italian town with houses on either side is reminescent of the targa florio) i just didn't find it as destinctive from the previous game. don't get me wrong, its still a very very fun game, but like he said, not enough sense of speed, and it just doesnt destinguish itself from GT3 enough. graphically its pretty good, not the be all and end all mind you, but racing isn't always about gfx (granted i havn't had a chance to play it in 1080i yet but never the less it isn't as great as those preview shots were). futhermore, my favorit car, the 787B is te most expensive car in the game, it'll take me years to get enuff cash to buy that.

Riotgear, Is that set-up stable? I thought about that one, but am nervous that it is not stable when using the wheel/pedals. Also, is it adjustable so that different people can adjust to their height? Also, Walmart sells that set-up, but maybe only mailorder. FYI - my game/ps2 is very shaky at times, as if it shakes, then settles. I am wondering if it is my ps2 console (I guess it is). I'm running the component (480p) cables, and might try s-video to see if it clears this up. Anyone know if there is a component selector box to switch between the HDTV cable box and the PS2 for a TV with only one DTV component input?

I thought getting the steering wheel was crazy enough until I saw your Playseat... That thing is hardcore... if i had it, i don't know if i would show anyone though -- (i'm an in-the-closet gaming dork)

The Playseat can fold up and be stored when your cool friends come over. I don't care what you online people think.

Yes, the setup is stable and can be adjusted for short and tall people. I have a JVC component selector box. I think I paid $100 for it on eBay.

No flickering/shifting of the graphics.