Gran Turismo 3 A-spec

by Sony

Product Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Driving

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000503MO
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 6.1 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 15, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (628 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,281 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #6 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Racing
  • #100 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > All Games
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The PlayStation2 takes the Gran Turismo franchise to new heights in the third edition of the venerable racing series. The graphics are sure to grab you--the cars and tracks are awe inspiring, and there are some incredible lighting effects. This game is much more than eye candy, though.

The gameplay in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is the same as its predecessors; fans of the previous games will feel right at home, while newcomers will be able to pick things up easily. There are more than 150 cars from which to choose, and plenty of tracks upon which to race them. Arcade mode works well for a quick fix, while simulation mode provides outstanding replay value. The sound effects are impressive--each engine has a unique sound, and tire screeches from different cars sound noticeably different. The soundtrack is a good mix of original compositions and a wide variety of recording artists, including Motley Crue, Raekwon, Jimi Hendrix, and Snoop Dogg.

One minor flaw with the game is its relatively predictable artificial intelligence. Computer-controlled cars follow distinct lines, and you'll be able to pick up the patterns after a few races. Considering how far the graphics have come since the original Gran Turismo, it's disappointing that the AI hasn't progressed similarly. Despite this, GT3 remains an outstanding game. Few games offer its combination of high quality and immense variety. --Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Incredible graphics
• Excellent physics and controls
• Great soundtrack

Cons:

• Predictable AI
• No Porsche or Ferrari licenses

Product Description

The drive of your life. all of the worllds top manufacuters Obsessively technical, Meticulously refined. Viciously FAST

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not quite five..., May 31, 2001

By 

iluspook ":)" (Warren, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gran Turismo 3 A-spec (Video Game)

i love this game but, with that said, i want to get the bad stuff out of the way...

LESS CARS-many less...a lot of my favorites have gone the way of the dodo. 126 cars to start with, with a few more added later, is a lot, but when compared to four to five times that in gt2, it pales in comparison...

DUMB A.I.-sure the computer cars are a little more "intelligent" than before, but when a random car that had never been touched slams its brakes, effectively taking it out of the race, just to stop the player, then their is work to be done... besides this, all cars still follow a racing line, albeit not as religiously as before. a.i. could be better...

NO DAMAGE-understandably, the manufacturers will not allow the gt producers to portray their perfect cars as anything less than that(i.e. no scratches or dents in these work machines), but slamming a wall at 200km/h plus,(i have japanese version) will have repurcussions. i will gripe and gripe until this is corrected!

NO WORKING HEADLIGHTS-i will give my right eye for a left one that can see the road! why turn on the headlights at all? the street lights obviously do an adequate job! the headlights look pretty, but do nothing! yes this is a minor gripe, but simple physics is not too much to ask for! argh...

ok...with that out of the way, time for the good...

GRAPHICS-obviously being the first thing one will notice, the graphics are phenomonal! sure, the audience remains a cardboard cut-out and the rear- view mirror does not present all the fixins(very generic), but with these being the only flaws, this game is truly a sight to behold. the lighting is extremely impressive(i was actually blinded by the sun) and the textures are right on. i have read of texture lighting problems, but have yet to experience any. all the touches are in the right places. and the replays...beautiful!

MUSIC-again, sony got different bands for the soundtrack...like lenny kravitz, feeder, grand theft audio, overseer...it really keeps you motivated. although i do like the music in gt2 a bit better(one of the best video game soundtracks ever), this music was still right on!

MORE RACES-even more races including the gt2 rally races and some f-1 racing this time, the race options are amazing!

IMPROVED PHYSICS-not a very noticeable change, as gt2 had great physics, but a significant one at that. rear and mid engine cars do not flair as wildly out of control as in the past, and the new wet ground physics are great. the pinball action off the side rails remains, however...

running out of space, i realize there is a lot to say about this game, and it is an extremely enjoyable experience. granted, the time to make each car model limited the selection this time around, but there are still more cars than any other ps2 racer. try it out and see...especially if you have never played a gran turismo game...you are sure to enjoy!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The king of all racers!, July 8, 2001

By 

"justin1298" (new york, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gran Turismo 3 A-spec (Video Game)

[...] WHY NO PORSCHE?

there is porsche! its called RUF! Porsche (the name) is licensed to other game companies and locked up! Ferrari is not available due to tighter licensing and no "RUF" for ferrari to get round this.

FEW AMERICAN CARS?

because the game was made in Japan, by Japanese the emphasis is on japanese makes .. plus, in the GT world, the range, depth and ability of japanese racing cars is much greater than American cars.. even so they've added many european makes, and a decent range of US cars as well.

FEWER CARS THAN GT2?

Many cars in GT2 are just existing cars with a stripe added.. all of the GT3 cars are modelled with a much greater degree of accuracy and most have authentic recorded engine sounds. Polyphony Digital took seven times longer to add a single GT3 car than a single GT2 car due to this extra attention to detail.

MANY OF THE SAME TRACKS?

Yes, but redone in graphics that bring them alive. Given a choice of totally new tracks or old favorites from GT2 done to this level, the compromise of many old tracks and about five new ones is pretty good.

Ok my original review:

I've had the Japanese edition for some time. Its basically identical to the July 11th release US edition.. The game is a triumph.. the designers said in an interview that they hope gamers will get six months of use out of GT3, and I'd agree with that.. you can get to 100% complete faster, or you can never get anywhere near 100% complete and just dip in randomly for fun - either way there are well over 100 hours worth of play in here, much of it not released to you until you're ready.. Graphically GT3 is the best looking (and feeling) racer on all platforms, and looks to be unchallenged for the forseeable future.. there simply isnt anything even in development that will come close... Its worth buying a PS2 purely to play it.. the force feedback wheel adds to the experience (if you can find something to clamp it to!) as it imparts extra sensations you don't get with the analog dual shock.. Any magazine reviewing on a 5 or 10 point scale gives this game a perfect mark.. if you hate accurate racing simulations, then why are you reading these reviews? but if you enjoy looking at and using cars and racing against another (split screen) or against computer cars, or against your own best laps (ghost image), then you need to buy GT3 because there will not be another racing game that matches it for some time.

Having got GT3 and a PS2 you can also look forward to amazing titles this year such as Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Solid 2, ICO, State of Emergency and many others.. after a drought of A grade titles since the PS2 release, there is a FLOOD coming your way...

Some special moments in GT3 racing for me: Racing at high speed in rally mode and not being able to see a thing due to the dust clouds from the car in front!

Finally getting all golds in two sets of racing license tests, after hours of practice and incremental improvements..

Controlling a high powered car on a wet track using gradual acceleration and braking..

Managing to lap at Monaco without hitting any walls..

Watching replays of innumerable close races.

Finally earning enough money to buy a top GT car..

It goes on and on really.. stop reading and get this game.. it won't change your life, but its brilliant value for money.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth buying a PS2 for this game alone, April 23, 2003

By 

Michael S (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gran Turismo 3 A-spec (Video Game)

I literally have not bought another PS2 game since I've had GT3 for over 4 months. I've taken it out of the player maybe once or twice. It is the most realistic driving simulator I've ever tried.

Good points:
* Good selection of cars (and colors). Everything from econoboxes to muscle cars to sports cars to F1 and prototypes.
* Good selection of tracks, including city, race track and rally. Plus several real-world (the challenging Laguna Seca and Monaco tracks)
* Cars are customizable: add parts, fine-tune settings.
* Good custom wheel selection
* Realistic driving physics. Oversteer/understeer, wheelspin, weight shift, suspension mods, etc. behave as you'd expect.
* Great graphics
* Challenging
* 2-player battle and iLink (you can hook up several PS2's and compete)

Not-as-good points:
* AI cars hit you, each other and the walls, and can be annoying.
* Car selection emphasizes Japanese cars (not that they're bad, but I'd like to see more European)
* No damage model or rollover, so bouncing off walls has no effect
* Rally races aren't set up like real rallies (they're all head to head as opposed to beating a time)
* Only appearance change is wheel. I'd like to see custom graphics, paintjobs, bodywork, etc.

If you're looking for an arcade action game, this is not it. You'll likely be frustrated by the license tests which need lots of practice to get through. And most of the races require some level of license. But if you're looking for a challenge and to improve, the license tests will make you work for your skills, and enable you to beat some tough AI competition.

But even with a few problems, I give it 5 stars. I could probably get by without buying another game until GT4 comes out. Seriously, it's cheap. Buy it.