Auto Modellista

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Mar 25, 2003
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
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  1. GamePro
    70
    Auto Modellista’s gameplay doesn’t match its outstanding visuals. Unfortunately, the driving technique at the heart of this driver doesn’t perform well.
  2. IGN
    70
    The controls are without a doubt the game's biggest sticking point, and they'll probably push more gamers away than attract them. Then again, there is no doubt that the painfully-earned skill one earns by learning to play it, and once you do get good, you'll probably love Auto Modellista.
  3. PSX Nation
    70
    Despite its steep learning curve and simplistic online races, offline Modellista’s Garage mode is perhaps the third-deepest Career-like mode I’ve ever experienced on a racing game (after "GT3: A-Spec’s" and "Sega GT 2002’s" for XBox).
  5. GameSpot
    69
    Has a fantastic look, but its gameplay unsuccessfully tries to straddle the line between simulation-style tuning options and arcade-style handling and collision physics.
  6. Game Revolution
    67
    Although Auto Modellista does an outstanding job in its visuals and customization, the racing aspect certainly did not get enough attention.
  7. G4 TV
    60
    It's fast and easy to play, and it looks terrific. At least the cars do. Serious car culture enthusiasts and a very select group of auto-manga readers will dig it, but its dusting of drawbacks leave it just barely on the three-star side of the rating scale.
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    58
    AM could've been the next great PS2 racer, if only Capcom had hired a mechanic who specialized in handling. [June 2003, p.131]
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  9. Cinescape
    58
    The biggest problem I found was control. Nag all you want about the AI, its not that big a deal. But I hardly ever felt like I was in true control of the car that I was driving.
  10. Gaming Age
    50
    Underneath the visual flair is a gameplay system that’s neither arcade nor simulation based, and never manages to excel in either.
  11. GMR Magazine
    50
    Powersliding, for a start, is a disaster. It's nearly impossible to do with any level of consistency, and no amount of fiddling with the car's setup will fix it. [May 2003, p.60]
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  12. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    50
    I am spectacularly disappointed... Because aside from looking gorgeous, Auto Modellista is an absolute pig. [June 2003, p.102]
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Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
57
#57 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 4 out of 23
  1. dominatr
    Jul 27, 2023
    8
    Its basically wn arcade machine. The announcer, customization and overall is like an arcade game. Fun but the cars cannot grip
  2. aspentitan
    Oct 15, 2020
    7
    This is a pretty decent game with steering wheel compatibility but is a liitle bit on the bland side. The graphics of the cars (cartoony cellThis is a pretty decent game with steering wheel compatibility but is a liitle bit on the bland side. The graphics of the cars (cartoony cell shading) are excellent however the rest of the games quality is average to most other racing games on the system. Despite the wheel working it does not really have a satisfying feel and gameplay enjoyment really boils down to how much you love the graphics, or not.… Full Review »
  3. JP_Neo
    Jun 25, 2020
    8
    This is indeed a very underrated game. The car selection is great, the OST is good and the unique cartoon visuals are excellent. The problemThis is indeed a very underrated game. The car selection is great, the OST is good and the unique cartoon visuals are excellent. The problem with Automodellista is the handling that can be quite loose, this happens only in the U.S Tuned release, so my best advice to enjoy the ultimate automodellista experience is to play the original european or the japanese release.

    Pros:
    +Gorgeous cel-shaded graphics
    +Good soundtrack
    +Nice car list
    +Garage customization is pretty neat
    Cons:
    -Bad handling in the U.S Tuned version    … Full Review »
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