Gran Turismo 3: A-spec

The Good
This game has got lots of gameplay time, about 60 hours. The cars and tracks available are very high detailed. Also has different types of tracks, goes from technical, with lots of turns, to high speed tracks. Each car has a different handling. The endurance races are not too strenuous.

The Bad
In this game there were only about 180 cars, way less than previous titles. Some professional events and races are just too long.

The Bottom Line
This game marks a huge leap in graphics and that's due to the change from PS to PS2. It allows you to have a very nice time, alone or with your friends. It justifies being one of the best selling PS2 games ever. It's a classic and if you can you should get it.

The Good
Graphics are superb and smooth. Cars are rendered cleanly and have that signature shimmy and shine. Peripheral viewings as you are blazing down the courses is adequate for visual pleasure. It is not like you have a lot of time to ponder the surroundings unless you are in a slow car.

The Bad
All aspects but one were stellar. The one major flaw in this game are the endurance races. If you want to get 100% in this game you have to go through the tedious and hour plus races that totally takes all the fun out of this title. These races should be for "extra" points and not for completion requirements. It is so bad that some people have given suggestions on how to tape your controller in a particular position and acceleration on the oval tracks to get through the races. It is then recommended to go to a move while your rigged controllers buzzes your car around the track. I like to enjoy my games, not have them be a job!

The Bottom Line
Awesome on road and off road actions. Great for simulation and quick racing. As long as you can avoid the endurance races, you got a class A title.

The Good
Nice graphics. Large variety of music.

The Bad
The first time that I played it I was very disappointed. There are no used cars. I was expecting a huge car line up. As an example there is the Chrysler dealership and the only car that it offers is the PT cruiser. A lot of the dealerships offer only a very small selection to choose from. Something is wrong with the stats. I bought a Mazda Miata and upgrade the motor so I was sitting on 280hp. It said that the car made 17 ft/lbs of torque. There are still the licenses to get but they seem almost pointless...like someone remembered that GT1 & GT2 had license tests so GT3 should have tests as well. You cannot adjust the level of the music and background volume as you could in the earlier versions. Instead you can only turn it on and off. I find that the music volume is barely audible and I would like to be able to adjust it. I could be wrong but it seems like the tachometer and speedometer are not custom to each car. All cars have a max 9k tac and 200mph speedo, they simply have different rev limiters. All in all the game feels less personal and detail oriented. For me this takes away from the overall fun factor. I am still playing this game, so if it grows on me with time I'll be sure to update this review. I am still playing the game trying to get into it but I'm so far having a hard time.

The Bottom Line
A graphical step step forward. The lack of detail and car selection is disappointing.

I would buy this game only if you already own a PS2 and the game is cheap.