Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

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Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Developer(s)	Polyphony Digital
Publisher(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer(s)	Kazunori Yamauchi
Release date(s)	April 28, 2001 July 10, 2001 September 20, 2001
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone (E) PEGI: 3+
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Media	1 DVD-ROM

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is a racing game, the first in the Gran Turismo series to hit the PlayStation 2. Gran Turismo 2000 was the working name used when demonstrated at E3 2000/2001. Released in 2001, Gran Turismo 3 is considered the best-selling game for the PS2 (along with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City).

1 Gameplay
2 Reception
3 Trivia
4 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Gran Turismo 3 features new elements to the series, such as oil changes. As the distance travelled on the motor oil accumulates, the vehicle engine's performance degrades gradually, until a notice light is lit on the dashboard during gameplay, signaling that an oil change is needed.

The Gran Turismo Mode has a reorganized layout, with a more structured and progressive arrangement of races and challenges. Races vary from short beginner events to multi-hour endurance races and also rallying events against the clock. In addition, the car shops are now organized by country and then by manufacturer, which some find to be more intuitive than the East/West City method used in GT2. On the downside, far fewer vehicles are available in GT3 (just over 150) than GT2 (around 500). This is attributed largely to the work needed for the more detailed graphics and statistics for the cars, and the game's release being early in the PlayStation 2's lifespan.

Among the changes were the omission of the ability to "racing Modify" or add down force to production cars, removal of suspension damage and also re-absent of torque limits to races. The developers collaborated with computer and game peripheral maker Logitech for the game, which resulted in the GT Force steering wheel, which featured force feedback and was highly fitted to the game.

[edit] Reception

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is considered a commercial success for Sony in Japan, Europe, and North America. The game is the best selling game for the Playstation 2 selling roughly 14.36 million copies. The game is highly praised by game reviewers and players as one of the finest racing games ever made and frequently appears on 'top 100 lists' (like IGN's Top 100). The music included an exclusive demo recording of 'Just A Day', 'Buck Rogers' and 'Seven Days In The Sun' all by Feeder from their Echo Park era.

[edit] Trivia

The reverse lights do not work on any car
In Arcade Mode, when selecting a difficulty, holding down L1 & R1 changes "Hard" to "Professional". Choosing this difficulty results in a 10-lap race with tire wear enabled, against extremely difficult opponents, especially when using an S-Class car. A win on Professional difficulty is not recorded in Bonus Items
Following the first tunnel on Trial Mountain is a tree branch overhanging the road, on which a monkey can be seen