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TOCA Championship Racing

aka: TOCA Touring Car Championship

[ All ] [ PlayStation ] [ Windows ]

Critic Reviews 81% add missing review

Mega Score (98 out of 100) (98%)

Quando o PR da Codemasters me passou as primeiras imagens para a mão agradeci mas disse que queria algumas do jogo. São essas, disse-me. Ainda não recuperei do embate...

Nov 1997 · Windows

Absolute Playstation (92 out of 100) (92%)

With so many racing games now available for the playstation, I find it amazing that Codemasters have managed to produce something that still feels new and quite different from the rest of the pack - the style of driving needed to play this game is very different from V-Rally, F1-97 and even Rage Racer. Having watched a lot of Touring car racing down at Donnington (one of the tracks), its its also fair to say that the tracks are as close to the originals as they could possibly have been. Even though this game runs far slower than some of its counterparts, it still manages to capture both the style and spirit of this sport perfectly.

Sep 1998 · PlayStation · read review

NowGamer (9.2 out of 10) (92%)

If the depth of the realism sounds too involved, don’t let it put you off. Touring Car Championship is packed with plenty of the smash ’em and crash ’em gameplay you would expect from a console game, and it has the frame rate to match. A one-on-one split screen game gives you the chance to really fly off the handle and whiz around any track with a friend, leaving broken signs, car parts and traffic cones strewn in your wake. Switch the catch-up on or off and just drive like an idiot for three laps. It’s very healthy.

Nov 1st, 1997 · PlayStation · read review

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20) (90%)

Ce premier volet de la série des TOCA est une franche réussite. Il parvient à imposer un nouveau style de conduite qui ravit les fans de simulation automobile. Un peu léger graphiquement et en termes de contenu, ses nombreuses suites corrigeront ces aspects et feront de cette licence l'une des plus prolifiques dans les annales du jeu de courses.

Mar 11th, 2011 · PlayStation · read review

Consoles Plus (89 out of 100) (89%)

Toca Touring Car est une bonne simulation de course de berlines. Le mode 2 joueurs est particulièrement efficace car très rapide.

Dec 1997 · PlayStation · read review

PC Jeux (87 out of 100) (87%)

TOCA souffre encore de petites imperfections mais devrait faire de l'ombre à International Rally Championship.

Nov 1997 · Windows

Total! (Germany) (86 out of 100) (86%)

Trotz der recht hohen Realitätsnähe wurde auch die Spielbarkeit genügend berücksichtigt. Was Codemasters hier geleistet hat, macht auf mich den Eindruck wie das Touring-Car-Pendant zu Psygnosis‘ Formel 1: authentische Strecken, realistisches Handling und das alles in technisch einwandfreier Aufmachung. Wenn man gerade in der Startphase eines Rennens rempelnd und schubsend durch die Blechkolonne rauscht, dann bekommt man schon einen ungefähren Eindruck von der Rasanz des Touring-Car-Sports. Wer jedoch spektakuläre Tunnelfahrten oder extreme Steigungen von einem Rennspiel erwartet, wird dies bei TOCA vergeblich suchen, da es sich ja ausschließlich um die „echten“ Rennstrecken handelt.

Dec 1997 · PlayStation

PC Games (Germany) (85 out of 100) (85%)

Endlich mal etwas anderes als diese supersensiblen Formel 1-Boliden, endlich eine Simulation, bei der es auch mal etwas derber zur Sache geht. Die Strecken mit all ihren gemeinen Bodenwellen, Schikanen und kniffligen Wetterverhältnissen stellen für jeden Piloten eine echte Herausforderung dar, die Sie dank der guten Steuerung aber bald im Griff haben sollten. Das Levelsystem, bei dem Sie die restlichen Strecken mit guten Leistungen erfahren müssen, mag anfangs nervig erscheinen, bietet aber viel Motivation für lange Stunden hinter dem Lenkrad. Kleinigkeiten wie die nicht hundertprozentige Grafik und den fehlenden Rückspiegel wiegen das tolle Fahrgefühl und die bissigen Gegner wieder auf.

Dec 3rd, 1997 · Windows

PC Action (Germany) (85 out of 100) (85%)

Eine ebenso seltsame wie erquickende Mischung, die Codemasters da präsentiert. Hinter der Fassade eines leicht zugänglichen Arcade-Renners, der scheinbar harmlos zum Einsteigen und Losfahren einlädt, verbirgt sich eine ziemlich knackige Simulation. Diese muß zwar merkwürdigerweise gänzlich ohne Einstellungsmöglichkeiten am Fahrzeug auskommen, offenbart aber eine sehr detaillierte und vor allem schwer zu erlernende Fahrphysik. Ohne entsprechendes Training wird Ihnen die Lust am Rempler schnell vergehen. Wenn Sie aber Wert auf ein Rennspiel mit Tiefgang legen, werden Sie von Codemasters nicht zuletzt mit einer phantastischen Präsentation belohnt.

Dec 17th, 1997 · Windows

IGN (8.2 out of 10) (82%)

But even with those two negatives, TOCA is still a thoroughly enjoyable title that offers everything a racing game should: challenge, excitement and entertainment. Highly recommended to hardcore racing fans who want to try something a little different.

Sep 30th, 1998 · Windows · read review

PSX Nation (81 out of 100) (81%)

Too little, too late could be the motto for TOCA Championship Racing. TOCA isn't a really bad game but it does have its faults and flaws and compared to some of the other games such as GT, it is hard to say that TOCA is worth purchasing. If you like European racing, TOCA is probably the best representation on the PlayStation. However if you are in it for fun there are better choices out there.

Sep 18th, 1998 · PlayStation · read review

Computer and Video Games (CVG) ( ) (80%)

You can't fiddle with the game settings as much as you can in other driving games, but the handling is a spot-on balance between realism and fun, making the races the most exciting in any PlayStation or PC driving game. It's true that TOCA looks a bit dull when you're watching someone else play, but get on it yourself and you'll realise just how great it is. Much more fun than Formula 1 '97 and V-Rally put together, I reckon. Magnificent!

Dec 1997 · PlayStation · read review

Privat Computer PC (80 out of 100) (80%)

TOCA gør et rigtigt godt forsøg og lægger sig ind i den absolut tunge ende af skalaen. Men den springer ikke bare lige sådan ind på førstepladsen. Screamer Rally, Nascar Racing og for den sags skyld International Rally Championship, er stadig ligeså veloplagte kandidater. Skal du alligevel lige ud og have dig et bilspil bør du checke TOCA.

1998 · Windows

PC Joker (80 out of 100) (80%)

Besser gelungen als die schlichte Menü-Präsentation und die vier Renn-Perspektiven sind sehenswerte Lensflares und Scheinwerferreflektonen. Die Technorhythmen und der satte Motorsound kommen sogar besonders gut. Zusammen mit der gelungenen Steuerung kommt der Spaß hier also auch ohne Tuningarbeiten und taktische Boxenspielchen auf Touren.

Dec 1997 · Windows

Computer and Video Games (CVG) ( ) (80%)

You can't fiddle with the game settings as much as you can in other driving games, but the handling is a spot-on balance between realism and fun, making the races the most exciting in any PlayStation or PC driving game. It's true that TOCA looks a bit dull when you're watching someone else play, but get on it yourself and you'll realise just how great it is. Much more fun than Formula 1 '97 and V-Rally put together, I reckon. Magnificent!

Dec 1997 · Windows · read review

IGN (8 out of 10) (80%)

Overall? These problems weren't enough to totally ruin the experience - the realism of driving the cars, sense of speed, and the better-designed courses far overshadow the game's shortcomings. It's certainly not for everyone ¿ those accustomed to Ridge Racer will be thrown for a loop - but for those who seek realism, it's certainly hard to beat. Only Gran Turismo does it better when it comes to that.

Jan 19th, 1999 · PlayStation · read review

GameStar (Germany) (77 out of 100) (77%)

Vom vollmundig angekündigten Simulationscharakter ist außer der diffizilen Steuerung nichts zu spüren. TOCA gehört am PC eindeutig in die Kategorie Action- Rennspiel und gibt als solches eine überzeugende Figur ab. Brillant der Motorensound – wirklichkeitsgetreuer habe ich noch nie einen Rennwagen brummen hören. Herzhafte Kollisionen, spannende Rennen und vor allem ein interessantes Thema – Touring Car Championchip zählt auf jeden Fall zu den interessanteren Rennspielen der letzten Monate.

Dec 1997 · Windows

Video Games (76 out of 100) (76%)

Viele haben es auf der PlayStation schon geschafft, eine überdurchschnittliche Rennsimulation zu veröffentlichen. Mit TOCA Touring Car hat Codemasters seinen ersten Versuch erfolgreich hinter sich gebracht. Hier rast Ihr wahrlich nicht in einem unrealistischen Affenzahn über die Asphaltpiste, sondern liefert Euch ein heißes Kopf an Kopf-Gerangel mit der gleichgesinnten Konkurrenz. Selbst im Zwei-Spieler-Modus flitzt die Grafik noch relativ flott über den Bildschirm. Die optische Präsentation ist beileibe nicht spektakulär, erfüllt aber voll und ganz ihren Zweck. Was ich außerdem noch vermißt habe: Ein kleiner Werkstattcheck vor dem Rennen wäre bestimmt kein schlechter Einfall gewesen. Hier hätte man z.B. den Flitzer in Bezug auf Getriebe, Stoßdämpfer und Reifen etwas feinkonfigurieren können. Wenn schon die Betonung mehr auf Simulation liegt, dann aber mal richtig!

Nov 1997 · PlayStation

Gameplay (Benelux) (73 out of 100) (73%)

Toch blijft TOCA iets voor echte racefanaten, ondanks de kleine hiaten in het weggedrag. Na een paar races vond ik het toch wat ééntonig worden.

Dec 31st, 1997 · Windows

CD-Action (7 out of 10) (70%)

TOCA spodoba się przede wszystkim osobom poszukującym mocnych wrażeń, które towarzyszą prawdziwym rajdom. W zasadzie jest to sama jazda, dla dość wąskiego grona odbiorców, którym to odpowiada. Zarazem jest to przestroga, bo jeżeli lubicie kraksy, dużo "zamieszania" itd., lepiej poczekajcie na Test Drive 4 czy gorący [email protected] Race. TOCA to raczej czysta symulacja rajdu w świetnej oprawie wizualnej. Poza tym to tylko oczka i inne zmysły cieszyć, zapraszam!

Jan 1998 · Windows

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (7 out of 10) (70%)

Even using a bog-standard controller, TOCA's a ball bustin' experience, but to get the most from the game you gotta get a steering wheel. Skids become easier to control, gear changing's a doddle and taking the perfect line through corners gets to be second nature.

Aug 15th, 2001 · PlayStation · read review

Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) ( ) (70%)

While TOCA is a wonderful game in many respects and an excellent racing simulator, I feel it will utterly fail to appeal to any but the most hardcore racing sim fan. Given the number of true racing simulations out for the PlayStation right now, I really don’t know if that is a large enough audience to label it a success or not. I’d have to say TOCA falls into that category where a fan of the real sport will probably enjoy it, but most others won’t find enough to really hold their interest. It is a good, well-designed game, but in the end is simply not fun enough for me to recommend.

Apr 3rd, 1999 · PlayStation · read review

Gamesmania.de (70 out of 100) (70%)

Originalstrecken, Originalautos - alles echt? Fast. So richtige Wettkampf-Atmosphäre will aber nicht aufkommen. Okay, die Steuerung ist den Codemastern wirklich manierlich gelungen (überhastete Bremsaktionen werden ebenso mit Schleuderpartien quittiert wie Schlammschlachten), genauso wie die Intelligenz der Fahrer. Für eine höhere Wertung fehlt aber eine stilvollere Präsentation (hallo Hauptmenü in Konsolenmanier), ein motivierender Hintergrund (rein britische Tourenwagen zu simulieren ist hierzulande mindestens gleich spannend wie ein Fußballmanager nur mit Mannschaften der Premiere-Division) und mehr Abwechslung auf den Pisten. Hinzu kommen kleinere Detailfehler: Regen und Gewitter gestalten die Fahrt zwar schwieriger, verdecken aber nicht die Sicht. Schade eigentlich. In der Außenperspektive sind Rückspiegel zu erkennen, in der Innenansicht, wo solche äußerst nützlich wären, fehlen sie. Apropos fehlen: Wo sind die Tuning-Möglichkeiten?

1997 · Windows · read review

PC Player (Germany) (58 out of 100) (58%)

Offensichtlich will TOCA weniger beinharte Simulationsexperten, sondern Gelegenheitsfahrer ansprechen. Ähnliche Intentionen haben auch Spiele wie "Bleifuss Rally", dort wurde ihnen allerdings erfrischender nachgegangen. Phantasievolle Randbauten beispielsweise gehen den TOCA-Kursen ab. Auch eine stärkere Gegnerintelligenz und ein tatsächlich geändertes Fahrverhalten der Wagen, je nach Modell und Witterungsverhältnissen, hätten dem Programm gut getan.

Dec 1997 · Windows

Player Reviews

Neither arcade racer nor pure sim, but a good racing game.

The Good
TOCA Touring Car Championship is the official game of the BTCC, which stands for British Touring Car Championship. I doubt whether a lot of people outside the UK have heard of the BTCC (here in the Netherlands we can receive the BBC, so I had seen a few glimpses of the action), but don't let that spoil your fun. Of course driving a Nissan Primera on the Snetterton circuit isn't as glamourous as let's say speeding through Monte Carlo in your Ferrari F1 car, but I actually enjoyed the fact that the game focusses on a niche. Allmost all the tracks were completely new for me (we all know Hockenheim, Monza and Suzuka by now don't we). Silverstone was the only circuit I'd seen before.

In TOCA there are nine different circuits to race on: Donington (GP and short version), Silverstone, Thruxton, Brands Hatch Indy, Oulton Park Fosters, Croft, Knockhill and Snetterton. The championship consists of 12 rounds of two races each for a total of 24 races. This means you'll have to race four times on certain circuits in a full championship. Since all tracks are located in the UK and are based on real tracks, there's not a wide variety of exotic locations (it ain't Need for Speed). But still, the tracks themselves are quite different. One has a lot of corners (Croft), the other has long straights (Snetterton) another is very short and bumpy (Brands Hatch). I got the impression that Codemasters put a lot of effort in recreating the tracks as accurately as possible.

In TOCA you race in modified versions of common street cars (8 including Honda Accord, Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna etc.). Each car feels a little bit different. You don't have the option to modify your car. That's fine with me since I take no joy out of changing tire pressures etc. Although all cars are from real brands, the cars take visible damage!! With a couple of hard crashes you can really turn your car into a wreck. Break the windows, demolish the bumpers, loose the hood etc. You can only damage the exterior of the car, it doesn't effect the way a car drives.

Car handling is excellent with firm suspension & realistic tire-grip. When you drive on the grass next to the track you will certainly spin (it's rather easy to make a 360) if you don't know what you're doing. You'll need to know how to approach each corner. So there is a bit of a learning curve, but it also feels very rewarding when you have finally mastered the game and have driven a fast lap. The weather conditions (you can choose sunny, rain, clouded, storm or snow) really have an impact on the way your car behaves (driving during heavy rain is even more difficult). You need to stay focused all the time.

One of the best aspects of TOCA is the HeadCam View. This is the first person view, but with a difference. It's like there's a small camera on the front of the driver's helmet which records the action. The trick is that the image produced is not static. When the head of the driver moves your point of view changes, this is incredibly immersive and especially fun when you're hit from behind or spin-out since the camera shakes violently. You can also see both hands (one of them shifting gears) instead of just the steering wheel & dashboard. Every racing game should have this feature.

The other things I enjoyed about the game:

  • The great, so called, pack-racing feature. This is driving door-to-door inside a group of cars, four or five AI cars will stick together for a while. It's fun to drive in a group: lots of pushing, shoving, outbraking, overtaking & collisions.
  • Computer cars make mistakes, spin out, slam into each other. The crashes are quite spectacular.
  • Commentary by Tiff Needell of the BBC before and after qualifications & races in the championship mode.
  • The HUD gives you all the info you need like your current lap, best lap, gear, position, how many seconds to the car in front of you. It's all displayed very clearly.
  • The sound effects are not really special (the engine sounds are too high, as usual), but what is cool is that the volume of certain effects changes depending on the view you use. The engines are louder when you use the 1st person view instead of the behind the car view, and you can also hear pieces of dirt hitting the underside of your car when you don't drive on asphalt. You can hear your opponents closing in on you.
  • Lot of attention to details: The Sparco name on the driver's gloves, the right brand names next to the track, the smoke or dirt or grass coming from the tires (depending where you drive). Sparks coming of cars when they collide, the driver's seat is on the left or right depending on the car you choose.


**The Bad**
I have one major problem with this game, the way the championship mode is implemented. As is common these days you don't get all the tracks at once (only two are available at the beginning), you have to earn them by progressing in the championship. You progress by scoring 20 points or more per round (=two races). Even when you've unlocked all the tracks you still need 20 points per round when you start a new championship. The championship mode in TOCA isn't that easy and the fact that you're not allowed to practice on a track until you've progressed past it in the championship mode only makes it harder. Also, you can only save your game after two races. This means that if you compete in the full championship you will have to drive up to 50 laps (including qualification), which can take up to an hour, before you can save your game. It is frustrating to restart a race several times because you need a certain amount of points at each race before you can go to the next one. Especially when completing a round takes that long. Competing in the short championship (fewer laps per race) is not an option since the A.I. drivers perform really well during the qualifying sessions and you'll need a couple of laps to reach the front of the pack. All this basically forces you to select one the faster cars in the championship mode. Why do game developers seem to make the same mistakes over and over again. Codemasters have made a great racing game with real cars, real tracks & realistic handling and then they go and spoil it all by implenting an arcade-like championship mode. Now that's bad game design. I want to be able to pick the worst car of them all, finish dead last in every race and cheer for the winner! Some of the A.I. drivers (6 or 7 out of a total 15) are not competitive at all. During some races I managed to be three laps ahead of the worst drivers (in a 25 lap race). These guys drive the slower cars (Opel Vectra, Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 406), but still, these cars can go a lot faster than that. But sometimes these slow drivers are actually very welcome. Because the A.I. drivers are not that good at overtaking they tend to block the race leaders for a while, allowing you to recover some lost ground. The music is terrible. Some stupid techno tune that one would expect to hear when playing a futuristic arcade racer, it seems inappropriate for this game. I found it distracting and always turned it off to concentrate solely on the sound effects which can give a driver valuable input. Quite a lot of pop-up of scenery surrounding the track. This looks especially stupid when there's a row of trees next to the track. You get the impression that someone is planting them in front of you one by one at a very fast pace. The cartboard cut-out spectators ain't pretty either. Resolution could've been better. Overall the graphics are O.K. but not spectacular (can't compare it to Need For Speed III and it's shiny Lamborghinis or Motorhead with its awesome environments).

**The Bottom Line**
A very immersive racing game due to the realistic handling, the HeadCam view and pack-racing. The real joy of TOCA Touring Car Championship lies in the driving itself. Too bad Codemasters almost ruins the mood with an annoying tournament structure.

by Roedie (5221) on Jan 23rd, 2003 · Windows

Plus 15 player ratings without reviews

Contributors to this Entry

Critic reviews added by Luis Silva, Scaryfun, Alsy, garkham, Patrick Bregger, Xoleras, Cantillon, Tim Janssen, Apogee IV, ti00rki, Cavalary, Wizo.