The importance cannot be overstated Franchise Gran Turismo already on the American auto enthusiast scene. Its an organization established todaybut in mid to late 90sThe Gran Turismo was phenomenal, introducing millions of US gamers to cars, racetracks and even driving styles they’d never seen before.
But that importance also has other implications. Shadow of Polyphony Digital so large and extensive that it has removed a host of other excellent games from the public consciousness, many from the same golden age of innovative Playstation racing games with JDM flair.
So for Gran Turismothis is my year is different Japan’s favorite franchise and racing game, all well worth your time.
rib racer
Developer: Namco
First release date: 1993
Before Gran Turismo not just a glint in Kazunori Yamauchi’s eyes, before Initially EASY and Tokyo Drift take the mainstream racing tougethe rib racer franchises are the place for travesty antics.
It’s hard to describe how this game was back in the otherworld when it came out in the early 90’s. It features cutting-edge 3-D graphics, awesome (if unlicensed) cars, and an absolutely stunning track with lots of high BPM bangs. I’m surprised it doesn’t have a warning from the American Heart Association.
The original game will forever be an icon, but for me it was Ridge Racer Type 4stylized as R4, set the high water level. With a full-motion video intro that is both fun and entertaining, and a legendary theme song, as soon as you show up R4 you know you’re playing something special. More Ridge Racer games have followedbut most of it messes with the core formula which is a bit too much for my liking.
R4 also introduced the JogCon controller, the first flavor that Playstation gamers with force feedback will get. Like most third-party peripherals, it never received much support, but it was an early preview of Advanced steering settings that will eventually become conscription For serious console racing fans.
While all of its cars and tracks may be fake, the Ridge Racer really set the tone for up-and-coming 90s racers.
Racer Tokyo Xtreme
Developer: Genky
First release date 1994
One of the most iconic Japanese-themed racers of the early 2000s actually got its start with the Super Famicom title (SNES in the US) called Battle of Shutokou ’94. Named after the toll roads of the Shuto Expressway in and around Japan, the game took full advantage of that console’s Mode 7 capabilities to give the feel of a 3D racer on the road. Clear 2D hardware.
It’s a the years 1999 Racer Tokyo Xtreme (Again Battle of Shutoko in Japan), a debut title for the Sega Dreamcast, which truly catapulted the franchise to global fame. I’ve spent so many hours drifting on the highways of Tokyo in this game that when I drove there a few years ago, I had the most unbelievable feeling of nostalgia, a kind of technical deja vu. numbers make me want to drive in circles for hours.
That game will forever be my favorite, but most people take it for granted Tokyo Xtreme racer 3released in 2003 for Playstation 2, became the pinnacle of the franchise. It’s hard to argue otherwise, but no matter how deep you go the games offer a compelling mix of lighthearted storytelling and mission-based gameplay. The goal is to chase and beat the opponents on the road. Pull up behind them, flash your light and it turns on.
The race is not a race as much as they are fighting, each driver whose life bar will decrease if they don’t take the lead. Hold the lead long enough and you win the fight, earn some money and a car. There is a wide selection of real cars (although some have fake names), an incredible jazz soundtrack and an overall unprecedented experience of touring Tokyo.
GT Sega
Developer: Sega/Wow Entertainment
First release date: 2000
I said I wouldn’t include Gran Turismo, but I’m not saying I won’t include any Gran Turismo fake. As much as I love it, you definitely need to include GT Sega in that category.
The game features 130 real cars and 22 forgettable tracks, unlocked and accessed through a series of frustrating challenges and license tests, where you drive a Honda Civic around for the first time. timed. Sound familiar? Yes, that’s all, but the franchise introduced some cool things, like maintenance and repair costs that encourage you to be a better driver, not just backtrack to win. .
Graphics, GT Sega It’s a big step up from what it is now Gran Turismo 2. The cars look great and although the physics are a bit hazy, it’s fun to pick up and play right away. The franchise outlived Dreamcast with its sequel 2002 GT Series on Xbox and then 2004 Sega GT Online. That title beats Gran Turismo 4 online two years.
As a Sega game, it even gives you the chance to race around Daytona – though sadly it’s called “Super Desert Loop” here. With a selection of cars and some obviously silly fictitious tracks, GT Sega did not stand up against Gran Turismo in its day. But, Look at your backit deserves our more respect.
Auto Modellista
Developer: Capco
First release date: 2002
I’ll be honest with you: I’m really not a big fan of playing Auto Modellista. I never really found the physics to my liking – too casual for a sim, too serious for fun – and the car and track selection feels very limited compared to most other racers of the same time.
So why is it included in this list? Honestly, because of how it looks. Auto Modellista is the Maserati of racing games: it’s more fun to watch than to drive. So-called shaded games became all the rage in the early 2000s, and Capcom had a brilliant idea to apply them to a racer. Today, 20 years later, Auto Modellista is still an intuitive treatment. Run it through a high-quality upscaling tool and it will still put gamers on edge.
Auto Modellista offers a level of style and sophistication that true gamers haven’t seen since — just the new one Need unlimited speed for a taste, but I’d say that game is trying too hard. The clean simplicity of Auto Modellista make it more like watching art than playing games. There’s a reason why it’s often called Automatic Mona Lisa.
midnight club
Developer: Angel Studios/Rockstar San Diego
First release date: 2000
The original midnight club was developed in California and has two locations: New York and London. So why, then, no midnight club on this list of good Japanese racing games? The answer is right there in the title.
midnight club clearly inspired by legendary midnight club, a group of street racers known for their antics on the highways around Tokyo in the 80s and 90s. The club actually had strict rules for the behavior of its members, including Respect their cars and other drivers. Game? Not much.
midnight clubfranchise, will finally bring players to Tokyo, but not until 2003 Midnight Club II. Conceptually, it’s the same idea as Racer Tokyo Xtreme, racing and challenging others on the street, but here, you are free to explore the city much more. Likewise, the plot is more involved, which is not necessarily a good thing. Rockstar-style experience, from the characters you’ll meet to the familiar but unreal cars.
So is this a Japanese racing game? It may not be, but it gives off a good enough vibe to make this list. Or maybe I just got hooked on the adorable SW20 MR2 that popped up in the original game’s intro. Either way, this game was and is a lot of fun.
