Gran Turismo (PSP)

With GRAN TURISMO Sony has finally brought its beloved console-based racing simulation franchise to the PlayStation Portable. Like its big brothers, it’s loaded with more than 800 licensed cars and 35 real-world tracks (over 60 if you count the mirrored circuits), and features scores of driving challenges that teach players how to do things like take advantage of slipstreams, handle tricky chicanes, and safely overtake competitors. Outside of the challenges, players can enter one-off quick races against a trio of computer controlled opponents, enter time trials on the tracks of their choice, and go up against up to three other players in local wireless multiplayer (there is no online play).

Gran Turismo is just OK. What’s in the game is terrific -- the selection of cars is second to none and they handle splendidly -- even without the force feedback found in the console editions. However, Gran Turismo is missing some key features, like the ability to purchase upgrades and improve car performance. Even more noticeable is the absence of any sort of career mode. Without these elements, the races seem somewhat pointless. You can earn money and buy cars, but without some sort of grander aspiration -- like building up a supercar or winning a particular series of races -- it’s easy to get bored and lose focus.

The most compelling reason to keep playing, it turns out, is to build up your garage so that you can transfer it over to Gran Turismo 5 for PlayStation 3 when it releases next year. But buying a full-priced game as a way to prepare for an as-yet unreleased game is a bit lame -- especially since fans of the franchise have already done this once before when they picked up Gran Turismo 5: Prologue for PlayStation 3 last year. That part is disappointing.