| Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec | |
|---|---|
North American cover art featuring Acura CL |
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| Developer(s) | Polyphony Digital |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Kazunori Yamauchi |
| Series | Gran Turismo |
| Engine | Custom |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | |
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (グランツーリスモ3: A-spec Guran Tsūrisumo Surī A-supekku) is a racing game, the first in the Gran Turismo series released for the PlayStation 2. Gran Turismo 2000 was the working name used when demonstrated at E3 2000/2001. The game was a critical and commercial success, going on to become one of the best-selling console games of all time.
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The objective of the game is to win all the provided races, championships, complete license tests and achieve 100% game completion. Every 25% of the game completed results in the player being awarded a car as a special prize. For GT3, the Gran Turismo Mode (Simulation Mode in the American version) 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 an opponent. 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 its predecessor.
On the downside, far fewer vehicles are available in GT3 (just over 180 in total) than GT2 (around 650). This is attributed largely to the work needed for the more detailed graphics, providing detailed statistics for all the cars and the game's release being early in the PlayStation 2's lifespan. Other changes include the omission of the ability to "race modify" or add downforce to production cars, removal of suspension damage, and the absence of torque limits for races.
New to the franchise, GT3 also contained unlicensed versions of actual Formula One cars (labeled as Polyphony 001 and 002 in the PAL version and F686/M, F687/S, F688/S, F090/S, F094/H and F094/S in the Japanese and American versions) that the player can win from endurance races. In the American and Japanese versions, the name of each car denotes various pieces of information (such as the amount of cylinders in the engine, the year the chassis was raced, and its driver, respectively). GT3 also marks informal appearances of automakers Lamborghini and Porsche. A racing JGTC Lamborghini Diablo was featured in the NTSC-J version (as well in NTSC-U with cheat device), and a Porsche 911 GT3 can be found in the game code (though it cannot be obtained normally, and requires the use of cheat device). Both cars, together with two hidden Lancia Stratoses (road and rally versions), however, is completely absent in PAL version.
The developers collaborated with computer and game peripheral maker Logitech for the game, which resulted in the GT Force steering wheel. The wheel features force feedback and was designed specifically for GT3.
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 94%[3] |
| Metacritic | 95/100[4] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Eurogamer | 10/10[5] |
| GamePro | [6] |
| GameSpot | 9.4/10[7] |
| GameSpy | [8] |
| IGN | 9.8/10[9] |
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is considered a critical and commercial success for Sony in Japan, Europe, and North America. The game is highly praised by game reviewers and players as one of the best racing games ever made. GT3 also received a Platinum Award from Electronic Gaming Monthly. Gran Turismo 3 has a 94% rating on GameRankings as of May 5, 2010,[10] placing it among the top 50 of all games on the multi-platform site and in the top 10 of PlayStation 2 titles. It frequently appears on 'Top 100 Lists' such as that by IGN.[11]
As of April 30, 2008, the game has shipped 1.89 million copies in Japan, 7.14 million in North America, 5.85 million in Europe, and 10,000 in Southeast Asia for a total of 14.89 million copies.[1][2] It is the highest-selling game in the Gran Turismo franchise. It is a part of the PlayStation 2's Greatest Hits. It ranks fifteenth in the list of best-selling unbundled console games of all time, just below Wii Fit Plus.[12]
Due to its good reception, a short version, Gran Turismo Concept, was released in various parts of the world except North America in 2002. It included new models unveiled during famous Asian and European Motor Shows.
Upon completing the game, the player was given a save game with all licenses completed and 10,000,000 credits for Gran Turismo 3.
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