Test Equipment

PlayStation 2 Equipment

As mentioned in the introduction, we used an import copy of Gran Turismo 3 on an import Japanese PS2. The US version will be largely identical. In addition to the English translation, the US version of Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec will have new licensed music specific for North America (GT2 had some tracks from the Cardigans), and one new "secret" car. The identity of the secret car for the North American edition has not been revealed, but we think it'll be a 2002 Honda Integra Type-R --the Japanese-market version of the upcoming Acura RSX.

One DVD-ROM of fun

Nice packaging

The Japanese edition of Gran Turismo3 includes a 179-page reference manual. The first 25 pages discuss driving techniques and different race mods (i.e. exhaust, clutch, etc.) and the rest of the book provides technical data for the cars in the game. Since this was a surprise bonus when the game came out in Japan, it's not certain if the manual will be included in the US edition.

Everything you need to know

Even the manual is stylish

We had difficulty obtaining the authentic Logitech/Sony GT Force force-feedback steering wheel so we substituted the USB Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP. Since GT3 does not support other USB force feedback wheels such as Microsoft's or ACT-Labs's we are comfortable treating the GT Force as only a cosmetic variant of the Formula Force GP. Accounts from owners of both wheels agree with this claim, but Logitech officially chose not to comment.

A quick note on Screenshots

On the PC, it's possible to grab the digital data directly from the framebuffer, but with console games, it can be tough to provide an accurate representation of live image quality using screenshots. Consoles first convert the image into an analog interlaced signal and the capture card must re-digitize the signal. This is akin to making a copy of a copy of a VHS tape. The image quality on a real TV will be slightly better than our screenshots and videos.

Check out the lighting!	No, this is not pre-rendered
Maybe with an ugly color, no one will want to steal it	Polygons in the environment