Video Game Review: Gran Turismo for PSP

GT for PSP's single player mode is not like GT4's. You choose Time Trial, Single Race or Drift Trial events. The Time and Drift Trials are similar to GTHD and GT5 Prologue. AI driver ability increases with the "ranking" you earn for each track. You start with a "D Rank" and work your way up to an "S." Once you've achieved a rank of B or better for the track, the three AI cars are hard to keep up with unless your driving is very clean.

In the new multiplayer mode, you can race other GT for PSP players, and share and trade cars. One of the best things about the new game is that it won't collect dust after GT5 arrives. GT addiction can truly be satisfied at any time you're away from your PS3. Also promising is the rumor that Sony's upcoming Ad Hoc Party software may enable Internet play in the near future.

GT for PSP has a Driving Challenge mode similar to the challenges from GT4. The challenge demonstration videos include voiceovers by Jay Leno, whose partnership with Polyphony Digital probably began with the inclusion of his "tank car" in Gran Turismo 4. This mode is the best way to earn credits as the effort required for good drivers to earn golds is reasonable. Be aware, though, that there aren't any exclusive cars awarded if you go for the gold.

Bear in mind that the car acquisition process is slower than in GT4, because only four brands are available at one time, and the limited selection from each lineup is on sale only for two days. You can't purchase car modifications, but a Quick Tune function is available a la GT5 Prologue.

To view the action, you can select from nose, cockpit, roof and chase camera views. Cockpits are available for all cars, but aren't fully modeled like those in GT5 Prologue. Also, your selected view can't be saved for the next time you play. The standard heads-up display (HUD) shows throttle and brake input, an active stability management activation light, a handbrake activation light, an AI driver enabled light, suggested gear box, current gear indicator, shift light, speedometer, tachometer, boost indicator and most important of all, a clock -- an key acknowledgment by the GT creators that people will be playing on the go.

The game controls are straightforward. You use the X button to accelerate and the square button to brake. Steering is done via the D-pad or the analog nub below the D-pad. For slow, tight turns such as Turn 11 at Laguna Seca, turn-in needs to be initiated earlier than one would think is necessary. Manual shifting can easily be performed by remapping the shift functions to the L and R triggers.

You'll notice we haven't used the word "simulator" to describe GT for the PSP. We turned multiple sub-1:42 laps at Laguna Seca Raceway in a stock Japanese-market Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII with Sports S2 tires and Professional physics. In the June 2007 issue of Motor Trend, veteran sports car racer Max Angelelli's best lap in a stock U.S.-market Evo IX was a 1:47.926. With cornering speeds that are too high and braking zones that are too short, the tire model or entire physics model needs further tweaking if Gran Turismo wants to be a "real driving simulator."

The Gran Turismo series has always been regarded as a visual treat, but with a resolution of 480-by-272 pixels, the PSP version has some hardware limitations. Graphically, it's very similar to GT4. Shortcomings include visible seams in certain tracks representing the border of two or more bitmaps, a lack of on-track brake markers, a variable level of detail car in replays and an overall dithered look (think ink jet printer output). It appears Polyphony Digital did as much as they could to keep polygon counts minimal and memory consumed by texture mapping low. On the upside, the game's framerate is a consistent 60 frames per second.

Vehicle sounds are distinct but fail to fully represent all of the vehicles. Cars sound just like they did in GT4 -- hardly a symphony, but adequate in communicating engine rpm and tire grip.

Shortcomings aside, don't be surprised if you opt to play GT for PSP instead of your previous driving game of choice on your console (or PC). The new game is fun, and it plays like more than a strategically released holdover to prime the pump for GT5 -- even if that's exactly what Sony intends.

Pros: Driving fun, finally a full GT game you can play anywhere, excellent replay value.

Cons: Hardware limitations, much more like GT4 than GT5, extended playing will necessitate battery charges.

Ratings (out of 5)
Gameplay: 4.6 - Acquiring and racing different vehicles in this portable format provides loads of tire-squealing fun.
Graphics: 4.2 - Variation in the car model detail can be abrupt in replays depending on camera location and angle. Scattered low resolution textures reduce vehicle and environment detail.
Sound: 4.1 - Vehicle sounds and music are adequate for gameplay, but aren't enough to engulf the player to convey a true sense of driving particular vehicles.
Presentation: 4.0 - GT for PSP introduces a new interface that isn't as easy to use as GT4's.
Replay value: 4.7 - GT for PSP will keep GT diehards entertained for a long time while those new to the franchise may become similarly obsessed.
Overall: 4.3 - A fine game for any gamer who loves cars or car lover who loves videos games.

-- Loren Wong, Contributor