Nowgamer: Gran Turismo PSP review

Nowgamer: Because kart racing is sooooo 1993

It's no real surprise that Sony decided to drop any kind of number from the title of Gran Turismo's PSP debut and there are a number of good reasons for this. First up, there's the classic reason of not wanting the buyer to think they've somehow missed out on several games in the last few years. Secondly, had it been 'GT4', it'd be aeons too late – had it been 'GT5', it'd be too early. And finally, using either name would be misleading as the all-new handheld-oriented approach makes this very much its own game rather than a mere port. So just Gran Turismo it is then and sure enough, Gran Turismo it is.

[randomwiz]

ahhh... too many mixed reviews. Need to try the game myself.

[Saaking]

The main problem is lack of career mode+ only 4 cars on track. If you can get around that it's an awesome game.

[LiquifiedArt]

...The more interesting i'm becoming. It still seems like a fun portable GT experience. Maybe even allowing me to work up some credits on the go to transfer back to my GT5 game!

ya know what SCREW IT! THIS IS STILL ON MY RADAR!

[PROFIT]

as far as PORTABLE gaming goes, there is no alternative to gt.

pd have done a magnificent job considering this is on a umd

[soxfan2005]

"The main problem is lack of career mode+ only 4 cars on track. If you can get around that it's an awesome game."

Funny how PS3 fans like you love to condemn Forza because of features you think it is "missing" compared to GT5, yet when it comes to a Sony game, you can "get around" missing features and still consider it awesome.

I've been awaiting GT PSP for years, and I'm disappointed with what I've read so far. As a racing fan though, I'll probably still get it.

[Tinted Eyes]

lol Once again Soxfan complains AND brings up Forza, a game no one was talking about.

Nice going. ;)

[Saaking]

GT PSP is a HANDHELD game. Forza is a full Console game. It is only obvious you would expect MUCH more in from a console game.

[Narutone66]

Insecure much?

[FlipMode]

Wow, Soxfan still complains even when it isn't relevant.
What else is new.

[soxfan2005]

I was expecting from GT PSP what other developers have successfully delivered on PSP when porting console games - a complete experience. Look at God of War PSP - it's just as good as it's console counterparts. I simply expected the same from GT. Maybe GOW was just an exception.

EDIT - Why shouldn't I complain? When I drop my $40 for GT PSP, I want it to be the best game it possibly can - I would think you guys would too. I will concede to you guys that I may be pleasantly surprised when I play it - maybe I'll be part of the 8.5 camp.

[PROFIT]

crying?

do us all a favor and dont buy the game.

if you dun like it, you may kill someone out of spite

[MerkinMax]

Play the game for yourself. Never judge a game by the review, well maybe if it's consistently getting the same score. But when a game comes out people need to stop the bashing about the review scores. Too many times this generation reviews have not been what they should be. Halo 3 ODST got a 65 from one review. Does that mean you shouldn't give it a try? Uncharted recieved a 21/20, does that mean everyone will praise it the same? Play the games people and stop the fanboy war that is destroying gaming! /rant

[Biphter]

Finally.... instead of a portable PS2. GT PSP comes along made from the ground up with portable gaming in mind, you know something alot of games on PSP haven't had lately. A trend that made the PSP more a portable you play at home as an alternative to the Living Room console, not how it should be, on the Go.

Think this with GT5 on PS3 as the ultimate combo. Unlock cars on the go and have quick fix fun, then when you come home, upload the won cars to GT5 and play in full career mode at home with new cars ON THE PS3. If you look at GT PSP like a companion to GT5 (Which I'm sure is imminent) then there are no problems.

I can see how PSP only owners are feeling a bit upset, but If you have a PS3 and intend to get GT5 then I can't see any reason NOT to be excited!

[kerrak]

I have 50+ umd games and a true orientation to psp specific capabilities is what mostly makes a game good in this platform

1-portable (somebody told that he was not getting gtpsp because he couldn't use a wheel lol)
2-short time gameplay bursts
3-nice graphics for a handheld
4-franchises that you can feel nearer to, but not mere ports

Dissidia or Arctic Edge are some recent and good examples of well executed games with this orientation, and from what i read in every review (good and bad ones) GT is another one.
If you really like to play with your PSP and you really love GT franchise, you will sure love GTPSP.

[RockmanII7]

If kart racing is sooooo 1993, how come it's one of the best handheld games this generation? (Only behind Chinatown Wars and Chains of Olympus)

[NegativeCreep427]

Now I'm waiting to see all the MS trolls come in here claiming that an 8.5/10 labels a game as a flop, when beyond their knowledge, practically any and all Xbox 360 exclusives not titled "Halo 3" or "Gears of War 1 or 2" have received average scores of 8.5 or less.

[soxfan2005]

The 8.5 for GT is NOT an average - it is the highest of many reviews so far. Most other reviews are in the 7-8 range. GT PSP will probably end up with an average score of around 7.5. You can't compare that to a 360 exclusive that has a true 8.5 AVERAGE (as you say). Or, should we just trust the highest score given to a game, as you are doing?

By the way, I do own a PSP, and I'm quite disappointed with what I've read so far about GT PSP.

[NegativeCreep427]

Your response was so out of context with my initial post, I don't even think trying to correct your mistakes with what I sayed would even strike a cord with you.

You were way out of the ballpark, soxfan2005.

[Saaking]

Great.

[Shadow Man]

*Goes back to playing Dirt2*

[Saaking]

8.4>6.4

[B_Rian89]

So IGN is the only site that doesnt like the game. Every other review has been 8+ unless I missed some

[Ravage27]

hardcore GT fan so he probably had very high expectation of the game. I'll be honest here, as disappointing as the lack of career mode is, i get the feeling many people are not reviewing it as a PSP game constrained by both hardware and UMD disc space.

PD intended it to be the type of game you play between train rides and if you put aside the hype, it delivered.

[fr3d0]

i'm so sick of these small minded reactionary reviews

The game doesnt have a career mode, so the immediate reaction is to question the sanity of the developers by giving the game a low score. total win for the reviewer.

And fail for the consumer cuz this garbage gets taken seriously.

A) They didnt 'forget' career mode; Lack of career mode was a conscious decision. its a party mode version of gran turismo precisely because of the medium its on, which is mobile and transient. Conscious development decision.

B) Tired of the standard, arbitrary list of features that every game must conform to or face the wrath of the uber l33t critic. Let the games be different. I really don't see why every game must have the same cookie cutter features. Look at each game in its own context.

Sorry for the long post but I'm sick of video game critics raining down chaos on great games based with half assed reviews overwhelmingly skewed towards the unrealistic, mindless and arbitrary feature list expected of every single game now.

[Veneno]

Droids nor Bots know what to think right now.

[2FootYard]

Hop in your dump truck, relapse for good luck.

[Close_Second]

...is not a major as I don't often check the rear view to see whos behind me anyway :)

I hope there is a demo as its the lack of career mode that puts me off most as I'm not the kind of person that will check back every day to unlock a car. However, if the game is fun then I'll definitely consider it.

Wonder how much it will cost in NZ?

[mjcrow33]

Sorry but I would have been more excited for career and upgrades for your car.

[SoapShoes]

So it's a decent title. I wouldn't be surprised if 1up or Gamespot gave it a good score since it's all opinion.

Basically this game is good. IGN had a hardcore fan review it and he hyped this game up beyond belief. That's what happens.

[andron]

Some very mixed reviews of this one, but it still looks as a great portable driving game.

I think they left out a full career mode of the PSP title so people would focus on GT5s career mode. That way it becomes more of a GT5 companion game you can play when on the go...