WHY I THINK GRAN TURISMO 2 IS THE BEST RACING GAME EVER
Since its launch in 1999, Gran Turismo 2 has been considered as one of the best racing games ever created. I try to explain...
In 1999, Polyphony Digital launched what became considered one of the best racing games ever sold. Released as a sequence of the Gran Turismo 1 (Which was the bestselling game for Playstation), the game sold a total of 9.37 million copies, making one of the biggest hits for Playstation. Although it sold less than the previous game, Gran Turismo 2 was more complete, offering more cars (around 650), more tracks (with rally stages), more licenses and more championships.
Everything you want and need in a racing game!
I consider the best racing game first of all because it was simple and complete. Think that in 1999, a game with those capabilities meant a lot. You could racing modify a car, modify its transmission, aerodynamic, braking settings. Gran Turismo 3 and 4 didn`t have many of Gran Turismo 2 resources, like the racing modification. Cars didn`t have ESC and TCS as standard, so when you bought yourself a Dodge Viper, it really felt like the beast we became used to. If Gran Turismo evolved this game, instead of creating new stuff like the photo mode, I believe we would have a better Gran Turismo than today.
Here are some of the things I love about the Gran Turismo 2:
The expensive Racing Modification
Racing Modification was unlocked after installing Weight Reduction Stage 3. It was the most expensive item and it transformed the exterior of the car into a racing spec. The Taurus received the same livery from the NASCAR Taurus. Europeans sedans usually received the BTCC livery.
Remember the 90's with the BTCC liveries
NASCAR Taurus
The menus were simple and the game focused racing, and racing only. There weren't useless photo or B-Spec modes. The soundtrack was also gave the game a very good atmosphere, the intro had the hit "My Favourite Game" by The Cardigans.
Cars didn't have ESC and TCS as standard, they were sold as upgrades for cars. This made driving a lot more challenging than the future games. Also, although it had only 5 AI players, they seem to be more challenging than the ones found in future games.
Carefull with the throttle, otherwise you will spin...
The two player mode was good and simple. You could load the garage of the simulation mode from the inserted memory card, so you would have more options than the cars available from the arcade mode. Also, there was a score after each race, you could gather your friends and make your own championship.
There were lots of cars from the 90's that never appeared again in a Gran Turismo game. This cars are one of the reasons people still play Gran Turismo 2 and think about the 90's nostalgia that will come in the next few years.
Renault Espace F1
Austin Mini Cooper
Alfa Romeo 145
Aston Martin DB6
BMW 840Ci
Toyota Mark II, a popular choice among drifters
Skyline 25GT Turbo, the FR GT-R
HKS 180SX
TOM'S Supra
The GT90 Concept
RS200 road car
Tommykaira R34
Venturi Atlantique, the Ferrari of France was very popular in the 90's racing games
Vector W8
Vector M12
Fiat Punto GT
Renault Laguna
Toyota Caldina GT-T
Corsa GSi
Ford Mondeo
Dodge Cooperhead
Ford Puma
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Comments (3)
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Oops, gotta disagree. SNES' 1992 Top Gear, the cool grandparent of all racing games, will always be the best racing game ever. The music is superb and one could trace a psychological profile from the adversary's choice of car to tease them the whole race, abusing of their biggest fears. #teamwhitecar for over 20 years. Did I mention the music is incredible? www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hru6NR6a_NM
I really agree with this review. I still pop up to play this game. The car roster is incredible. I always wondered why they brought so many new cars (like those really old vintage cars) when PS2 was about to be released and they had to build those from scratch to update the graphics. They did put in a large effort that no other developers did.