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Gran Turismo (PSP)
Encyclopedia
is a PlayStation Portable
(PSP) game developed by Polyphony Digital
. The game was announced at the E3 Sony
press conference on May 11, 2004, the same conference where Sony announced the original PSP. Following five years of delays and speculation, it made a reappearance at E3 on June 2, 2009 in a playable form. It was released on October 1, 2009 as one of the launch titles for the new PSP Go
. As of August 31, 2010, Gran Turismo has sold 1.96 million units. On June 1, 2010, the game was rereleased as part of the Greatest Hits.
The game is centered on an open-ended design. The single-player menu presents players with three variables — Mode Selection (Time Trial, Single Race, and Drift Trial), Car Selection, and Track Selection. The player can pick and choose circuits and vehicles, with credits earned based on the difficulty, performance and number of laps they have chosen. Players can select from any number of laps, one to 99. There are 45 tracks (including layout variations) plus the added bonus of reverse on most tracks, which takes the track number close to 75. For the first time in the series, the game features the use of custom soundtracks that enables players to play their own songs while racing, but this option must first be unlocked by completing section B of the Driving Challenges. The music tracks can only be played if it is set on "MUSIC folder" and can be used for offline or online races.
There are three hidden tracks which are removed prior to release (Smokey Mountain North from Gran Turismo 2
, Tahiti Dirt Route 3 from Gran Turismo 2, and Gymkhana from Gran Turismo 4). These tracks are only accessible via PSPs that have custom firmware and running Gameshark
-like programs. Gran Turismo features over 800 vehicles, each modeled accurately and statistics derived from their real life counterparts. Players will start with a low-powered car, but can upgrade as they progress through the game. The dealerships available change after every other race, so players won't always be able to buy what they are looking for. Like Tourist Trophy, there are only four cars (3 are opponents) feature in a race at any one time. There is an interior view available for each car — however, it is not detailed. For multiplayer, players have access to four-player local wireless play across a handful of modes, with various options that allow players of all skill types to play together. There is no online play nor are there any online leaderboard
s for time trial
times or the ability to share ghost laps with other players.
The game features over 800 cars, although only four cars are present in any race. The exotic car manufacturer Ferrari
is featured, and for the first time in the main Gran Turismo
series, Lamborghini
, Bugatti
and various other cars were introduced and fully licensed. There is no damage model in the game.
Gran Turismo is centered on completing driving missions in order to advance in the game, unlike Gran Turismo 4
s open-ended map. The game uses a new trading system to allow players to acquire cars. Ad hoc multiplayer will be supported for up to four players. Gran Turismo also allows online play through the free downloadable PlayStation 3
(PS3) application Adhoc Party for PlayStation Portable
. During an interview at E3, it was revealed that tracks featured in the game are directly sourced from Gran Turismo 4 and Tourist Trophy
, while the game's physics engine is based on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
. Downloadable content
(DLC) will not be released for Gran Turismo, although five cars already included in the game are available for free download off the PlayStation Store in exclusive colors.
. Series director Kazunori Yamauchi
stated that the main problem was trying to fit the game in such a small memory space. Regardless, Gran Turismo runs at 60 frames per second
(rare for a portable title) and takes up only 1GB of storage.
Originally named Gran Turismo 4 Mobile, the game was initially to have a release date sometime in April 2005 — however, it was notably absent from the 2004 Tokyo Game Show
and then from E3 2005, a year after it was first announced. At the end of 2005, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that the game would be pushed back to sometime in 2006. Despite no news for most of 2006, Kazunori Yamauchi assured audiences that Gran Turismo for the PSP was still in development and on its way.
In April 2008, Yamauchi stated that developing Gran Turismo 5
on the PlayStation 3
"took much more time and effort and this was because loads of new stylish cars have started to come out so it took longer to develop than we had first imagined," and that it was unlikely the PSP version would be released by the end of 2008. A version of Gran Turismo for the PSP was shown during Sony's E3 2009 keynote on June 2, 2009. Called simply Gran Turismo its October 1, 2009 release date coincides with the launch of the PSP Go
(announced at the same conference). Yamauchi discussed many reasons for the delays, with one of them being Polyphony Digital's busy schedule with releases of Gran Turismo 4
, Tourist Trophy
, Gran Turismo HD
, and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
during the time of Gran Turismos development. The company also refused to outsource the game to another developer describing that move as, "unthinkable." Yamauchi also considered other names for the PSP game, either Gran Turismo Spyder or Gran Turismo Portable, but decided at the end to name it just Gran Turismo because he wanted people to know that it was a "fully-specced Gran Turismo."
in Cologne
, Germany
that would hang the journalists 15 meters above the ground to try out the game. Sony Canada has also been known to advertise the game on various billboards in the Toronto, Ontario region. Sony has recently started a TV teaser campaign. The most recent commercial for the game was shot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
.
Gran Turismo is available as both a Universal Media Disc
(UMD) at retail and as a digital download from the PlayStation Store
. Users are able to install part of Gran Turismo on their memory stick. The install takes about 1GB (1014 MB on the European version and 750 MB for the American version) of space. The UMD still needs to be in the PSP's UMD drive to run the game. The loading times of the game are drastically reduced after installing.
, the game has an overall rating of 74%, based on 70 reviews. It was criticized for not having a career mode or car upgrades. Gran Turismo has sold 2.32 million copies worldwide.
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
(PSP) game developed by Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital, Inc. is an internal video game developing company of Sony Computer Entertainment and is part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios...
. The game was announced at the E3 Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
press conference on May 11, 2004, the same conference where Sony announced the original PSP. Following five years of delays and speculation, it made a reappearance at E3 on June 2, 2009 in a playable form. It was released on October 1, 2009 as one of the launch titles for the new PSP Go
PSP Go
The PSP Go is a version of the PlayStation Portable handheld game console manufactured by Sony. It was released on October 1, 2009 in American and European territories, and on November 1 in Japan. It was revealed prior to E3 2009 through Sony's Qore VOD service...
. As of August 31, 2010, Gran Turismo has sold 1.96 million units. On June 1, 2010, the game was rereleased as part of the Greatest Hits.
Gameplay
There are three hidden tracks which are removed prior to release (Smokey Mountain North from Gran Turismo 2
Gran Turismo 2
is a driving simulator / racing game for the Sony PlayStation. Gran Turismo 2 was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999. The games serves as a sequel to Gran Turismo...
, Tahiti Dirt Route 3 from Gran Turismo 2, and Gymkhana from Gran Turismo 4). These tracks are only accessible via PSPs that have custom firmware and running Gameshark
GameShark
GameShark is the brand name of a line of video game cheat cartridges and other products for a variety of console video game systems and Windows based computers. Currently, the brand name is owned by Mad Catz, who actively markets GameShark products for the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and Sega game...
-like programs. Gran Turismo features over 800 vehicles, each modeled accurately and statistics derived from their real life counterparts. Players will start with a low-powered car, but can upgrade as they progress through the game. The dealerships available change after every other race, so players won't always be able to buy what they are looking for. Like Tourist Trophy, there are only four cars (3 are opponents) feature in a race at any one time. There is an interior view available for each car — however, it is not detailed. For multiplayer, players have access to four-player local wireless play across a handful of modes, with various options that allow players of all skill types to play together. There is no online play nor are there any online leaderboard
Leaderboard
Leaderboard is a series of golf simulation video games that was developed by Bruce and Roger Carver, and published by Access Software.-Summary:thumb|left|Teeing off on the first hole ....
s for time trial
Time trial
In many racing sports an athlete will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. In cycling, for example, a time trial can be a single track cycling event, or an individual or team time trial on the road, and either or both of the latter may form components of...
times or the ability to share ghost laps with other players.
The game features over 800 cars, although only four cars are present in any race. The exotic car manufacturer Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
is featured, and for the first time in the main Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo (series)
is a popular and critically acclaimed series of racing simulation video games developed by Polyphony Digital.Developed exclusively for PlayStation systems, Gran Turismo games are intended to simulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, nearly all of which are licensed...
series, Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
, Bugatti
Bugatti
Automobiles E. Bugatti was a French car manufacturer founded in 1909 in Molsheim, Alsace, as a manufacturer of high-performance automobiles by Italian-born Ettore Bugatti....
and various other cars were introduced and fully licensed. There is no damage model in the game.
Gran Turismo is centered on completing driving missions in order to advance in the game, unlike Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4
is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
s open-ended map. The game uses a new trading system to allow players to acquire cars. Ad hoc multiplayer will be supported for up to four players. Gran Turismo also allows online play through the free downloadable PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
(PS3) application Adhoc Party for PlayStation Portable
Adhoc Party for PlayStation Portable
adhoc Party for PlayStation Portable , adhoc Party for short, is a PlayStation Network free game service for the PlayStation Portable handheld console which uses a WLAN-connected PlayStation 3.A Japanese beta version was released on November 6, 2008...
. During an interview at E3, it was revealed that tracks featured in the game are directly sourced from Gran Turismo 4 and Tourist Trophy
Tourist Trophy (video game)
is a motorcycle racing game. It was designed by Polyphony Digital, the same team that makes the popular Gran Turismo auto racing series. It was largely created off of Gran Turismo 4's game engine...
, while the game's physics engine is based on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a PlayStation 3 exclusive title which was announced at the E3 2007. This short version title was a precursor and sampling of Gran Turismo 5 and replaced Gran Turismo HD Concept...
. Downloadable content
Downloadable content
Downloadable content is official additional content for a video game distributed through the Internet. Downloadable content can be of several types, ranging from a single in-game outfit to an entirely new, extensive storyline, similarly to an expansion pack. As such, DLC may add new game modes,...
(DLC) will not be released for Gran Turismo, although five cars already included in the game are available for free download off the PlayStation Store in exclusive colors.
Development
Fitting a full-scale Gran Turismo on the PSP platform was a challenge for Polyphony DigitalPolyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital, Inc. is an internal video game developing company of Sony Computer Entertainment and is part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios...
. Series director Kazunori Yamauchi
Kazunori Yamauchi
is a Japanese game designer, professional racing driver, and most notably, CEO of Polyphony Digital and producer of the Gran Turismo series. He became the president of Polyphony Digital after designing his first game Motor Toon Grand Prix, a cartoon-inspired racing title similar to Mario Kart...
stated that the main problem was trying to fit the game in such a small memory space. Regardless, Gran Turismo runs at 60 frames per second
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
(rare for a portable title) and takes up only 1GB of storage.
Originally named Gran Turismo 4 Mobile, the game was initially to have a release date sometime in April 2005 — however, it was notably absent from the 2004 Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show
The , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and the Nikkei Business Publications, Inc...
and then from E3 2005, a year after it was first announced. At the end of 2005, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that the game would be pushed back to sometime in 2006. Despite no news for most of 2006, Kazunori Yamauchi assured audiences that Gran Turismo for the PSP was still in development and on its way.
In April 2008, Yamauchi stated that developing Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 5
is the fifth edition of the Gran Turismo racing video game series. Developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, it was released for PlayStation 3 on November 24, 2010...
on the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
"took much more time and effort and this was because loads of new stylish cars have started to come out so it took longer to develop than we had first imagined," and that it was unlikely the PSP version would be released by the end of 2008. A version of Gran Turismo for the PSP was shown during Sony's E3 2009 keynote on June 2, 2009. Called simply Gran Turismo its October 1, 2009 release date coincides with the launch of the PSP Go
PSP Go
The PSP Go is a version of the PlayStation Portable handheld game console manufactured by Sony. It was released on October 1, 2009 in American and European territories, and on November 1 in Japan. It was revealed prior to E3 2009 through Sony's Qore VOD service...
(announced at the same conference). Yamauchi discussed many reasons for the delays, with one of them being Polyphony Digital's busy schedule with releases of Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4
is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
, Tourist Trophy
Tourist Trophy (video game)
is a motorcycle racing game. It was designed by Polyphony Digital, the same team that makes the popular Gran Turismo auto racing series. It was largely created off of Gran Turismo 4's game engine...
, Gran Turismo HD
Gran Turismo HD Concept
Gran Turismo HD Concept was the first installment of the Gran Turismo racing series to be released on the PlayStation 3. It was made available as a free download which was released on the PlayStation Store on December 24, 2006...
, and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a PlayStation 3 exclusive title which was announced at the E3 2007. This short version title was a precursor and sampling of Gran Turismo 5 and replaced Gran Turismo HD Concept...
during the time of Gran Turismos development. The company also refused to outsource the game to another developer describing that move as, "unthinkable." Yamauchi also considered other names for the PSP game, either Gran Turismo Spyder or Gran Turismo Portable, but decided at the end to name it just Gran Turismo because he wanted people to know that it was a "fully-specced Gran Turismo."
Marketing and release
As part of its promotion of the game, Sony had a crane built at GamesComGamescom
gamescom is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is organised by the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware...
in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
that would hang the journalists 15 meters above the ground to try out the game. Sony Canada has also been known to advertise the game on various billboards in the Toronto, Ontario region. Sony has recently started a TV teaser campaign. The most recent commercial for the game was shot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a paved road racing track used for both auto racing and motorcycle racing, originally constructed in 1957 near both Salinas and Monterey, California, USA....
.
Gran Turismo is available as both a Universal Media Disc
Universal Media Disc
The Universal Media Disc is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on their PlayStation Portable handheld gaming and multimedia platform...
(UMD) at retail and as a digital download from the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
. Users are able to install part of Gran Turismo on their memory stick. The install takes about 1GB (1014 MB on the European version and 750 MB for the American version) of space. The UMD still needs to be in the PSP's UMD drive to run the game. The loading times of the game are drastically reduced after installing.
Reception
Gran Turismo received mixed to positive reviews from critics. On MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, the game has an overall rating of 74%, based on 70 reviews. It was criticized for not having a career mode or car upgrades. Gran Turismo has sold 2.32 million copies worldwide.