Gran Turismo 3: A-spec

aka: GT3, Gran Turismo 2000, Gran Turismo 3: The Real Driving Simulator - A-spec
Moby ID: 3910

Description official descriptions

This is the third game in the Gran Turismo series of racing games.

The game is now an even more realistic driving experience with lighting now having an effect on the game, such as buildings blocking the sunlight. There are smoke effects caused by skidding and even heat rising from the road.

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Credits (PlayStation 2 version)

541 People (379 developers, 162 thanks) · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 92% (based on 47 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.8 out of 5 (based on 106 ratings with 10 reviews)

Best racing game ever, but not without some flaws.

The Good
When this game was released it was without question on of the beautiful racing games ever seen on any console. Being the first Gran Turismo on the PS2, the graphics department is one area where this game certainly didn’t disappoint. The amount of details in each car was astonishing, and the little touches like glowing brake discs under heavy breaking was a nice inclusion. Engine sounds were great in this game, except the V8 engines (good news is that GT4 has some beaut V8 engine sounds).

The Bad
GT3 was a great game, and although it looked the best in the series, it really missed some features that the original one’s had. One set back was the lack of cars/variety of cars. There were 120+ cars in the game, but GT1 had about 150, and GT2 had 300+ cars, the 120 presented in GT3 did seem small. But the number wasn’t really the problem, it was the variety. For instance there is something like 6 different Mitubishi Lancers all practically the same.

Another drawback to the game was the sense of speed. Or lack of it actually. There are situations where you find yourself driving a car at 150+ and it feels like your just cursing around at 20kph.

But the biggest drawback to this game, in my opinion anyone, was the computer AI. The computer controlled cars were to too stupid and offered no challenge.

The Bottom Line
Even with it's flaws, this still is the best racing game (Until GT4 hits our shelves). This game (series of games) is the sole reason I ever bought a PS2 (and PSX/PSOne). The game still offered some of the most realistic handling and physics ever, without sacrificing playability too much. If you're a serious racing fan/car nut, go out and grab this game (should be budget priced now). Or you can just wait for GT4. (I have played GT4:Prologue. And it is great)

PlayStation 2 · by gozilla (66) · 2004

A whole new experience, and a sign of things to come...

The Good
The amazing amount of realism: Light flowing through cracks in the tree branches and bouncing off the roof; headlights lighting the way through the rain; sun sets blinding your view; logo's on the cars. Everything has been taken care of.

The tracks: Updated looks for classic tracks from GT1 and 2, and new tracks with plenty of winding roads and tight turns, making for some great passing moves.

The Cars: A great selection, including some new models (and my personal fav, the Ford Tickford V8 Supercar, marking the debut of Australian cars in the GT series).

The Rally mode: Bigger and better then GT2, and just as good as any other stand alone Rally game out there.

F1 Cars: Yes they are in there, somewhere, although not the latest versions, but still this makes for another good reason to complete the game as best you can.

And finally, the sound. Plug in your surround sound system, and you'll be in heaven.

The Bad
A few things missing in the latest version:

Online: It's a pitty that an online mode hasn't been included, but that makes GT4 all that more important for the PS2. The i.link modem meanwhile, does a good job of bringing heaps of people together at a time.

The Cars: Not as many as the previous title, but then again, it wasn't all that much fun racing in a VW Beetle, was it? So the lack of a huge amount isn't that much of a worry.

Car Damage: Thank the car manufacturers for this loss, as they do not wish to see their cars damaged. This would have added a lot more realism to the game, and a bit more strategy in buying new parts, etc. So hopefully GT4 will change that.

No Drivers: Not that I didn't like this, but it seems funny driving these super realistic cars without a driver inside them!! Makes it look like radio controlled cars!

The Bottom Line
The only reason (for the time being) why you should save up and buy a Playstation 2. Amazing detail, and a sign of great things to come over the next few years, considering this is a 1st/2nd generation title. You must get this, if only to watch the sun set.

PlayStation 2 · by Kartanym (12418) · 2001

Great Game For Its time

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.

PlayStation 2 · by Pedro Cunha (233) · 2012

[ View all 10 player reviews ]

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Development

Although Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec is more advanced in the graphics department than Gran Turismo 2, GT2 featured around 500 cars and 27 tracks. GT3 has 19 tracks and around 150 cars. This was due to time constraints; the extra detail that developers went to when developing vehicles and tracks for GT3 made the scope of GT2 an unrealistic goal.

Sales

According to developer Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec sold 14,890,000 copies worldwide since its original release, making it the best selling title in the franchise at the moment of writing.

Awards

  • 4Players
    • 2001– Best Simulation of the Year
  • GameSpy
    • 2001 – PS2 Racing Game of the Year
  • Retro Gamer
    • September 2004 (Issue #8) – #94 Best Game Of All Time (Readers' Vote)

Analytics

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Related Games

Gran Turismo
Released 2009 on PSP
Gran Turismo
Released 1997 on PlayStation
Gran Turismo: Sport Spec II
Released 2019 on PlayStation 4
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue
Released 2007 on PlayStation 3
Gran Turismo 2
Released 1999 on PlayStation
Gran Turismo 5
Released 2010 on PlayStation 3
Gran Turismo 4: "Prologue"
Released 2003 on PlayStation 2
Gran Turismo 6
Released 2013 on PlayStation 3
Gran Turismo: Sport
Released 2017 on PlayStation 4

Related Sites +

  • GT Planet
    Covering the World of Gran Turismo
  • GT3Times.com
    A site for submitting your race/lap/licence/time trial best times and see how you compare to the rest of the world. No driving up against walls or off-track allowed.
  • Gran Turismo 3
    Sony's official portal for Gran Turismo 3.
  • Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
    Official website
  • IGCD Internet Game Cars Database
    Game page on IGCD, a database that tries to archive vehicles found in video games.
  • Racing-Line
    A lap times database. No wall-riding or off-course times are allowed, but there IS a specific hybrid section
  • The House Of GT
    Online racing centre. Also the source of mk's GT3/GT Concept garage editor.

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 3910
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Brolin Empey.

Additional contributors: Macintrash, Matthew Bailey, Tibes80, Famine3h, Zaibatsu, CalaisianMindthief, Patrick Bregger, Titan10, Pedro Cunha, Victor Vance, FatherJack.

Game added July 14, 2001. Last modified February 5, 2024.