The critics loved HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us, audiences turned out to see that Spider-Man kid in Uncharted and the Ratchet & Clank movie was definitely a thing that happened, which means that the next big video game adaptation from Sony is going to be ... Gran Turismo? And it's based on a true story? What? Okay, look, we did one of these EGM Ranks episodes when Twisted Metal got a show, so I figure that we might as well see what Electronic Gaming Monthly thought of Gran Turismo back in the day.
In case you're wondering, EGM reviewed five Gran Turismo games between 1997 and 2008. That includes everything from the original game right up to the 2007 release of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue. Unfortunately, they did not get a chance to cover Gran Turismo 5 through 7, along with the PSP version and Sport, because those came out after the magazine folded. However, to keep things interesting, we're going to include the three unrelated PlayStation games made by Polyphony Digital, including the adorable Motor Toon Grand Prix. What we're going to do today is count down the best and worst Gran Turismo and Polyphony Digital games using Electronic Gaming Monthly's own words and scores. There's no editorializing here, we're going to focus on what the critics said back when these games first came out. So, get ready to earn your virtual driver's license, because you're going to need it when Electronic Gaming Monthly Ranks Gran Turismo and Polyphony Digital games.
Tourist Trophy (PlayStation 2)
#8
“I've never ridden a motorcycle, but from playing Tourist Trophy ... it must be hard as hell. I like manual gears, so that and two brake buttons, a crouch button, and the analog stick, I could be hitting up to five inputs at once – and still wishing I had an analog trigger for the gas. Tourist Trophy is an incredibly technical racing sim and a well-executed vanity project that will appeal to a very small group of people. It feels a whole lot like Gran Turismo, but it's even less forgiving on the track. I can see how some players will really appreciate that, but if you're looking for an actively FUN racer, this isn't it.” (7.2 out of 10)
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (PlayStation 3)
#7
“I say Prologue is a demo. It lacks enough tuning options to keep the hardcore gearheads interested, doesn't have enough content for the casual fans, and the online options are elementary. In a “gen” where multiplayer features are becoming very relevant to a game's longevity, Prologue manages to feel last century. Offline, only two of the six tracks offer a real challenge against some very impressive AI opponents. It's still a great racing simulator if you want to be a beta tester. Otherwise, wait until the real Gran Turismo 5 arrives.” (B out of A+)
Motor Toon Grand Prix (PlayStation)
#6
“I was all set to dislike this game when I first saw it, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The tracks are long enough to be interesting, with a number of visually entertaining backgrounds and environments. The inclusion of the sometimes-wacky power-ups and weapons makes for even more interesting play, especially the ability to jump and increase the size of your car. The cartoon graphics might take some getting used to, but this is a solid racing title that any fan of video racing is sure to enjoy. It's well worth a look.” (8.25 out of 10)
Omega Boost (PlayStation)
#5
“Wow. Shooters have been getting gradually more and more impressive on the PlayStation, but this has to be the best-looking one yet. The team behind Gran Turismo really knows what it's doing when it comes to graphics. Underneath all the flash it's a pretty fun game too ... although it does get really tough. Sometimes everything's moving so fast and there's so much of it, that it's difficult to really make out what's going on.” (8.9 out of 10)
Gran Turismo 4 (PlayStation 2)
#4
“If you've been a disciple of the Gran Turismo school of motorsports for the past seven years, playing GT4 makes you realize just how incredibly ahead of its time the original game was back in 1997. To date, no other driving simulation on console systems even comes close to what the Gran Turismo franchise has accomplished. But has top-dog status made developer Polyphony Digital complacent? For your average couch driver who will never have a wheel setup, GT4 does feel somewhat like a car roster update. The opening of the game is still dragged down by seemingly endless license tests, computer opponents still lack decent A.I., and the axed online mode is a criminal shame. The absence of real car-damage modeling also makes GT4 feel oddly dated despite its state-of-the-art looks.” (9.2 out of 10)
Gran Turismo (PlayStation)
#3
“Get used to this quote, ‘cause you're gonna hear it a lot: Gran Turismo is the best racing game of all time. GT is loaded with so much depth, so many options, so many CARS, so much variety – it just literally destroys anything that's come before it, except for the lame fact that many cars still have their Japanese names and likenesses. Aside from that, however, GT just rocks.” (9.25 out of 10)
Gran Turismo 2 (PlayStation)
#2
“Polyphony Digital never ceases to amaze me. After churning out Gran Turismo (my favorite game of all time), they released Omega Boost, one of my favorites of 1999, Gran Turismo 2 is perfection all over again and I don't know how to thank them enough. Unfortunately, GT2 has a couple of bugs that slipped out the door, but the realism and sheer joy of driving (and modding) your own car remains unsurpassed. I shudder at the thought of GT 2000 in March.” (10 out of 10)
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (PlayStation 2)
#1
“Gran Turismo 3 isn't just about the beautiful graphics, or the huge roster of cars, or a sense that the Gran Turismo mode somehow nurtures your driving skills and invigorates your racing spirit – these are elements any great driving game should have. What I truly love about GT3 is the fact that each car has a feel all its own. Since GT mode now classifies races by car models and types, you end up learning the subtle nuances of every ride. The game's weakest point is its AI, as it still forces me off the road in pursuit of its pre-scripted race lines. GT3 is, at this point, the best racing game ever made.” (10 out of 10)
