Gran Turismo: The Real Driving Simulator

 PSP
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 2009
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 138 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 138
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 138
  3. Negative: 12 out of 138
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  1. DWilliams
    Oct 6, 2009
    5
    Oh dear...Graphics? amazing! Physics? amazing! 4 cars on track? Laughable. No career mode? Despicable!! The reason I bought a PSP on release was for this game and Polyphony have made a complete hash of it. I'd rather have taken a hit in the graphics dept. to allow at least 2 more cars on track, preferably another 4. As for the lack of career mode...what were they thinking? probably Oh dear...Graphics? amazing! Physics? amazing! 4 cars on track? Laughable. No career mode? Despicable!! The reason I bought a PSP on release was for this game and Polyphony have made a complete hash of it. I'd rather have taken a hit in the graphics dept. to allow at least 2 more cars on track, preferably another 4. As for the lack of career mode...what were they thinking? probably something like ''lets not include a career mode incase it stops people buying GT5''.... well to be honest people would have bought both.... Idiots. Potentially an amazing game ruined by Idiotic decicions in Polyphony towers!… Expand
  2. Tubie
    Apr 12, 2011
    7
    All I can think about when I play this game is "wasted opportunity" why they didn't add a GT mode or why you can only have 4 cars in a race. All of these are drawbacks that pretty much kills this game.
  3. USG
    Nov 22, 2010
    6
    A disappointment to say the least. It ditched the career mode ("Gran Turismo mode") and all the player does is collect cars. Very little gameplay. At least the game has license tests; I can't say the same about the boring races with a few other AI. There's long loading times for each level and every menu, especially on a PSP-1000. Even though it's a car collecting game, the player has toA disappointment to say the least. It ditched the career mode ("Gran Turismo mode") and all the player does is collect cars. Very little gameplay. At least the game has license tests; I can't say the same about the boring races with a few other AI. There's long loading times for each level and every menu, especially on a PSP-1000. Even though it's a car collecting game, the player has to wait to buy which-ever car they want. Each game day a selection of only a few dealers show up, despite how the game is packed with cars. The few pros (such as graphics and frame rate) are easily outweighed. This game was not worth the positive speculation after it was originally announced, years before its release.… Expand
  4. bazzigoplay297
    Nov 22, 2020
    6
    Could it have been better.

    Surely it is the best racing game for PSP for graphic, but no Driver Licenses (the Soul of GT) and rotating cars in the shop are a very big let down
  5. JoelC.
    Oct 3, 2009
    5
    Jesus said "Any job worth doing is worth doing right,". And this is a half assed job. No career mode? Are you serious? It's a racing game with Gran Turismo on the front. Now you get a half assed score from me. 5 out of 10.
  6. RandyC
    Jan 19, 2010
    7
    this is a review for GRAND TOURISMO for the PSP GO PROS: excellent graphics the best I have seen out of all the race games...The most realistic handling...The best multi-player game as long as you have friends to play CONS :the one thing that ticks me off about GT is the fact that there is no career mode CONCLUSION: I really like the game and I truly believe that anybody who considers this is a review for GRAND TOURISMO for the PSP GO PROS: excellent graphics the best I have seen out of all the race games...The most realistic handling...The best multi-player game as long as you have friends to play CONS :the one thing that ticks me off about GT is the fact that there is no career mode CONCLUSION: I really like the game and I truly believe that anybody who considers themselves as a racing icon must own this game the replays are unmatched...The graphics are a 10 in a 7 world...they just didn't add much replay ability to the game which is really sad considering they made it for a portable system… Expand
  7. SteveK
    Jan 5, 2010
    6
    I wanted to love it. I tried to love it. But it just came out as a poor cousin of the GT family. Sure, the graphics are great and it has the polish of a GT game, but it's missing something. It's not the lack of a career mode or customisation as such, it would have worked as a fun arcade game rather than a simulation, but there just doesn't seem any point to it. Buying cars I wanted to love it. I tried to love it. But it just came out as a poor cousin of the GT family. Sure, the graphics are great and it has the polish of a GT game, but it's missing something. It's not the lack of a career mode or customisation as such, it would have worked as a fun arcade game rather than a simulation, but there just doesn't seem any point to it. Buying cars makes no difference other than that you have yet another car. All AI players are in cars selected from those comparable in power to your own so there's nothing to be gained by having a higher power car or a specific make/model needed to enter a particular race. There's no point in choosing a harder compound tyre over soft as there's no tyre wear for it to make a difference. You can drive down the pit lane but all that seems to happen is you drive on auto under speed limiter without stopping and come out the other end. Surely the pits are there for a reason? Glaring issues like this mean it just feels .. incomplete. It's almost like they realised GT5 wasn't going to ship before Christmas so someone dusted off the half finished proof of concept demo that had been abandoned and spent a couple of months giving it a new coat of paint before shoving it out into daylight with very little warning as if to say 'Look what we were making instead'. The only saving grace in my opinion is the adhoc network play. Suddenly playing it does become fun compared to the tedious procession in single player. You still don't need to have stocked your garage with cars as Party Shuffle mode gives you random cars of comparable power. I think out of all the GT games so far, it offers the simplest and best social multiplayer experience for a group of friends. GT3s firewire based networking worked fine, but was a hassle and required buying proprietary equipment to use. GT4 only worked (officially) on a LAN and we found even that was pretty flaky. GT5P works well but you can only play against random Internet folk and not just challenge your friends to a race. Without multiplayer, I'd probably rate this a 3-4 as while it looks pretty but gets dull and tedious fairly quickly with no real incentives to keep playing. But the multiplayer does make the game more fun. Sadly it doesn't appear to support gameshare so you do all need a copy.… Expand
  8. Travis
    Oct 16, 2009
    6
    While all the cars and tracks are cool there is too much missing. I expected a career mode, but what really bothers me is not being able to really tune the cars! That was half the fun of all the other titles, tuning a car piece by piece until the competition was left in the dust. Because only half the game is there I have to give it a lousy score.
  9. OliverH
    Oct 16, 2009
    5
    Just a nice car simulation game withouth all the fun of carreer mode , car tuning , buying part, buying what car you want , selling car ... so a gran turismo withouth the principal .... fortunately it free when you are buying a psp go.
  10. Andyman
    Oct 25, 2009
    5
    I'm right there with Joel C. on this. GT was supposed to be out in 2005! Here it is 4 years later, and only now do we get it... and it doesn't even have all the features of the first game in the series, which is 11 years old, and was on a console that the PSP can emulate! WTF? Where's the career mode? Where's the upgrade shop? Only 4 cars in the race? Day-limited I'm right there with Joel C. on this. GT was supposed to be out in 2005! Here it is 4 years later, and only now do we get it... and it doesn't even have all the features of the first game in the series, which is 11 years old, and was on a console that the PSP can emulate! WTF? Where's the career mode? Where's the upgrade shop? Only 4 cars in the race? Day-limited access to dealers rather than 24/7 access? Are you freakin' kidding me? Sure, it plays great and all, but with this absurd lack of features, there's almost no point. Extremely disappointing. Thank God for my 360 and Forza 2 and 3. Wake up, Polyphony.… Expand
  11. Macca
    Oct 2, 2009
    7
    So, the long wait is over, and whilst knowing that there were going to be some important features missing in the PSP version, I still wanted to have it. Graphically the game is a triumph for the PSP even if it does have some glitches, like pixelated white dots every now and then that are reminiscent of the old Ps1 version, but the smooth 60fps makes up for that. Obviously, with no career So, the long wait is over, and whilst knowing that there were going to be some important features missing in the PSP version, I still wanted to have it. Graphically the game is a triumph for the PSP even if it does have some glitches, like pixelated white dots every now and then that are reminiscent of the old Ps1 version, but the smooth 60fps makes up for that. Obviously, with no career mode you have to think what it is you are working for. Well, there is the Challenges mode that has made it, and the single player races are fun providing you turn off all the driving aids - left on the game is simply way too easy. Your aim is to collect as many of the 800 vehicles on offer by earning money in either the challenge mode or by participating in single player races. You get an option to set the amount of laps you want, and the more laps you choose the higher the cash reward should you win. All the tracks (not tried them all yet) are available from the off, and there are 45 of them, and some of them are very long. One of the features I loved the original GT's for was the long races that needed lots of stamina to get through, and this feeling remains in the PSP version. Overall, this game hasn't delivered what GT fans had wished for, but it cannot be denied that the game is still fun to play in single player, although the lack of proper multiplayer (ad-hoc only) is something I feel this game needed.… Expand
  12. CoreyF
    Oct 10, 2009
    6
    Rating this game is simple. Take all the things from GT on the consoles which are all great, but minus a career mode. Without a career mode the game just feels empty and there is no desire to race to earn anything. I am really dissapointed with this game.
  13. GaryK
    Oct 12, 2009
    6
    This "game" is nothing more than a very impressive techinical showcase. I've had it on pre-order for months and was very disappointed when I played it. It looks great and the handling is very good but the sound is terrible and there is no real gameplay at all. I've played it a handful of times and have tried to like it but the game is terrible. What were the developers thinking This "game" is nothing more than a very impressive techinical showcase. I've had it on pre-order for months and was very disappointed when I played it. It looks great and the handling is very good but the sound is terrible and there is no real gameplay at all. I've played it a handful of times and have tried to like it but the game is terrible. What were the developers thinking when they "finished" this game. Have none of them actually played it. Look out for my copy on eBay soon if you're after a bargain. Glad I didn't get the digital download, at least I can get most of my money back :(… Expand
  14. davidb
    Oct 19, 2009
    6
    very disappointed mainly due to the lack of a real career mode If all you want is a handfull of one off races then it still playes a good race but for me it was always about the whole package, this feels more like gran turismo concept than a proper full release. a real shame as i have been looking forward to this for a long time and a pokemon/driving car collecting title is not what i very disappointed mainly due to the lack of a real career mode If all you want is a handfull of one off races then it still playes a good race but for me it was always about the whole package, this feels more like gran turismo concept than a proper full release. a real shame as i have been looking forward to this for a long time and a pokemon/driving car collecting title is not what i expected at all. With a little more meat on it's bones could have been brilliant, so nearly but not quite.… Expand
  15. JamesD
    Dec 9, 2009
    7
    Gran Turismo on the PSP is a slick package with relatively impressive visuals and a lot of content in terms of tracks and cars. However,with no career mode, no long lasting game modes and numerous problems with car collection makes it a solid if relatively unimpressive sim experience.
  16. PrinceGITS
    Oct 11, 2009
    5
    GT is probably the most beautiful race game on PSP. But, it's also the worst regarding features. It only a car and track database that you can mix up to play. No career mode, no restricted race for certains types of cars... I expected much more from Polyphony Digital. A career mode like in TOCA Race Driver 2 and GT would have been the best racing game on PSP. Too bad, they missed it.
  17. RoniSize
    Nov 18, 2009
    6
    It's a watered-down version of GT4's 'Arcade Mode' (without the ability to choose your competition). It looks pretty nice (aside for the seam tearing and pixel flickering) and controls fairly well (TOCA on the PSP controls better), but not having any type of a career mode is just blasphemy - that's the essence of a Gran Turismo game! It seems like PD only had It's a watered-down version of GT4's 'Arcade Mode' (without the ability to choose your competition). It looks pretty nice (aside for the seam tearing and pixel flickering) and controls fairly well (TOCA on the PSP controls better), but not having any type of a career mode is just blasphemy - that's the essence of a Gran Turismo game! It seems like PD only had three people working on this and rushed them to push it out to retail.… Expand
  18. JohnW
    Oct 14, 2009
    7
    Was it amazingly good? Naw. It is quite a good racing game, though. For a handheld, it's very good, but there's some things it could do better. I do miss the customization from full-size GT games, buying the various parts to upgrade your cars, but the racing in the game is still solid and enjoyable. Overall, glad I purchased it.
  19. ArkonBlade
    Dec 13, 2010
    7
    Gran turismo light is what it should have been called mainly because with out sim mode the game feels kinda empty despite the fact it has 800 cars and 64 tracks . the controls arnt bad but will take alittle gettin used to especialy if youve played prolouge and other GT games with a wheel . the graphics are great and im sure pushes the PSP to its limets. also you cant tune up your cars ><Gran turismo light is what it should have been called mainly because with out sim mode the game feels kinda empty despite the fact it has 800 cars and 64 tracks . the controls arnt bad but will take alittle gettin used to especialy if youve played prolouge and other GT games with a wheel . the graphics are great and im sure pushes the PSP to its limets. also you cant tune up your cars >< whats GT with out that . the load times arnt to bad .if it just had the sim mode this game would be near perfect and i coulda put in alot of hours in this but as is after i raced on all 64 tracks and had a few high end cars which was about 12 hours maybe i got bored and havent played it since. for $20 bucks though its still a good racing game to own just not the gran turismo we all would have liked to see on the PSP that makes it deifferent from all the other racers out there.… Expand
  20. Annoymous1
    Jan 11, 2013
    6
    Graphics and the Computer Design are good....terrible A.I. that just go's to rigid. A clutter of cars that don't move around. Just little bit of fun and no point in racing. Another thing is that there is no Career Mode which is sad.
  21. alexandrea
    Nov 25, 2021
    7
    Nostalgia attacks again. I am not a fan of driving simulators, I enjoy arcade racing games but simulator is not for me.
  22. sebastianali
    Aug 22, 2021
    7
    Gran Turismo on PSP (for now) in my opinion is the best game in the series, they polished a lot the formula. First of all the graphics, good lord, the graphics are AMAZING, easily the best looking game on the PSP along with God Of War, it looks like a PS3 game, although the cars lacks any kind of reflection, but they have so many detail both the enviroment and the cars so it gets a pass.Gran Turismo on PSP (for now) in my opinion is the best game in the series, they polished a lot the formula. First of all the graphics, good lord, the graphics are AMAZING, easily the best looking game on the PSP along with God Of War, it looks like a PS3 game, although the cars lacks any kind of reflection, but they have so many detail both the enviroment and the cars so it gets a pass. Also the incredible amount of cars, you have more or less like 800 cars. My final positive point is the focus on the arcade aspect. Previous games in the series were more realistic, although the realism was never very polished, and to be honest, simulation games are just..... frsutrating and boring... Gran Turismo on the PSP was more like an arcade racing game, but a very good one, and much more polished than its previous entries, now the focus is in collecting all the cars in the game, rather than winning all of the trophies. Along with the much more fair AI and licenses (and not more obligatory!!! yeah!!!), this doesnt force you to be so perfect at the beginning of the game like many other previous Gran Turismo, and now the control is much better. The developers removed completely the oversteer, and while the stiff control is still there, is now a smooth stiff control, the car smoothly turns when breaking, and no like previous games where it tends to drift even at low speed or makes a spin. And it has something that future racing games of the seventh generation-today misses.... customizing your own races.... this is something i love it since games like Need For Speed 3 (for example), and you are rewarding the more laps, longer track or ai difficult you are racing.... Your race, your rules. This is amazing, and considering than all of the cars are very impressive looking and the driving is stiff but smooth, it gives you a lot of reward feeling (and that in a videogame is one of the most important things, very few videogames do this right). But now to the negatives, and shamefully some flaws are present from other Gran Turismo and other flaws were new from this game: The tracks itself are still very unmemorable, along with the soundtrack (although you can put your own soundtrack, something very cool). If you dont know about real cars specs, you would never know what car is more faster or have better handling. Despite i said the handling was much better than others Gran Turismo, is still stiff. There´s no upgrade system, and while previous games did this pretty bad, that doesnt mean it should be omited, and for last, the game doesnt have enough game modes, so it becames somewhat repetitive. Arcade racing games like NFS3 wasnt an issue since the game was refined to the max and has every option you need. Gran Turismo on PSP is still a very good racing game, one of the best of the system, and my favorite game in the franchise for its refinement and its arcade style gameplay, but that doesnt mean the series still exploted all of its potential.… Expand
  23. Ac-Gamer
    May 29, 2022
    5
    The game is great, with amazing graphics, nearly identical to gran Turismo 4. Amazing gameplay. But 4 cars on the track? Hilarious. I know this is a handheld game, but only 4 cars on the track don't make you feel you're actually racing, it seems like just practice mode, that aside. 800 cars??!! AMAZING! no career mode? reasonable, but here's my opinion, I know this is a handheld pocketThe game is great, with amazing graphics, nearly identical to gran Turismo 4. Amazing gameplay. But 4 cars on the track? Hilarious. I know this is a handheld game, but only 4 cars on the track don't make you feel you're actually racing, it seems like just practice mode, that aside. 800 cars??!! AMAZING! no career mode? reasonable, but here's my opinion, I know this is a handheld pocket game to play on the go, but especially during long waits career mode would really be nice, like, the game only takes up 1GB, in which a UMD can fit 1.8GB so I don't understand why they didn't put career mode. a gran Turismo game is not complete without career mode. But hey, its a on-the-go game which makes sense, I'm still laughing at the part where there is only 4 cars on the track, LIKE WHY?? overall I would rate this game a 5.5… Expand

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best PSP Game of 2009
1
#1 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2009
8
#8 Most Shared PSP Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 73 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 73
  3. Negative: 1 out of 73
  1. Gameplanet
    90
    Gran Turismo for the PlayStation Portable is a faithful reproduction of the original PSX game that achieved so much success in the 90's. Although missing online functionality, it's still the best racer you'll find for the platform.
    Read full review
  2. Games Master UK
    79
    Great looks, impressive handling, good tracks and cars. But where's the career mode? [Dec 2009, p.64]
  3. AceGamez
    70
    Gran Turismo PSP is Polyphony's Pokémon and, as such, one that's more for the Jay Lenos amongst us rather than the James Hunts.
See all critic reviews »