Gran Turismo 2

After the monster hit that was Gran Turismo, the sequel Gran Turismo 2, has more that a mammoth task ahead of it, but surpass it does and by some distance. The two gaming discs contain an Arcade version to get you racing straight away, or the Simulation mode where you have to race for cash to buy and upgrade your cars. Realism is the core of GT2 so you really do have to get your racing gloves on.

The range of cars is offensively large--everything from the Toyota Yaris to the Dodge Viper is covered. The attention to detail is fantastic, the cars sound and perform like the real thing and the upgrades available cover everything from alloy wheels to a racing weight flywheel for your engine. There are a number of different driving licences to pass and you have to have a particular class of licence to race in the different leagues, which get progressively harder, but reap richer rewards. To really succeed in Gran Turismo 2 you have think like a racer--slip-streaming and power sliding around corners to get the edge on your opponents are just some examples.

The two versions of the game provide a great balance between a serious sim and quick multi-player arcade action, making it a worthwhile investment, whilst the gameplay sits on the realistic side, so it takes a little time to get totally proficient behind the wheel.

Having said that, once you master control of your machine, you really do have the power. If driving is your thing Gran Turismo 2 is a must. --Chris Hall

The original Gran Turismo is generally credited as the best driving game ever released on the PlayStation. That's a tough claim to beat, but the best contender to steal those bragging rights is, of course, the much-anticipated sequel Gran Turismo 2.

This time the driving action takes place on 20 different racing courses--almost double the number in the original game. There are more than 400 cars to choose from, including newly added "muscle cars" and even a VW Beetle! While some racing games slide by with less-than-realistic driving control, the Gran Turismo series has won over die-hard car fanatics with its attention to detail and realism. For example, this game gives you the freedom to modify your engine to maximise your driving performance. While not all gamers will care about adjusting their axle width or suspension, it is a nice option for those of us who like to get under the hood before we go.

Once your car is up and running, the race begins. The arcade racing mode is filled with numerous bumps and surprises. If you have a dual shock controller, you will feel every rumble and shake as your car speeds, slides and (often) crashes on the street. The in-depth simulation mode allows you to earn money from your races so that you can upgrade your car's parts and, ultimately, buy or sell a car.

The world's most advanced racing experience is back with a thunderous new set of features, stunning graphics and trademark gameplay. Gran Turismo 2 will build on the extraordinary success of the original game with an unbelievable selection of cars, all-new racing modes, and a level of realism never before achieved in a console game. With highly detailed graphics precise control, and fast-paced action, Gran Turismo 2 will take PlayStation gaming to new heights, with over 500 authentic vehicles designed to exact specifications, all-new European super cars and old American muscle cars, all-new off -road and drag racing modes, and over 20 detailed tracks to race with over 40 track combinations. All vehicles feature individually customized performance, handling, drive train and real engine sounds. There are over 60 different license tests, arcade racing mode with power slides, burnouts, jumps and excessive speeds. There's also an in-depth simulation mode where money is earned to buy and sell vehicles and upgrade parts. All vehicles are totally cusomisable. Gran Turismo 2 has a sophisticated replay function and 2-player racing.