Gran Turismo for bikes. Thats all. In all seriousness that statement bears expansion. A serious motorcycling game featuring serious circuits for serious people. This off-shoot of the GT series produced by Polyphony Digial had some interesting mechanics going for it such as adjustable rider mechanics, separate front and rear braking control and racing suit selection, but it was also very raw and stripped down in places. No list of hundreds of motorbikes to choose from: theres just over a hundred to pick from. No bike showrooms either but a challenge system for you to win bikes after license-like scenarios on familiar tracks. For me, this game was simply working through to unlock the glorious MV Agusta F4-1000s from my childhood fantasies and literally spending all my time in time trial mode. Shame that the emotion engine within the PS2 couldnt rekindle all of those aforementioned Road Rash Superman moments with PS2-era ragdoll physics. You didnt even slide along the track as if you had a metal tea tray underneath your backside on a snow day like real MotoGP riders. Nevertheless, if youre looking for a racing game that has that rather decent on the edge feeling when you hit a kerb cornering at high speed and youre twiddling the Dual Shock sticks with the same nudge-nudge tap-tap movements as Enduro Racer then Tourist Trophy is definitely a game for you. Do you have a favourite from this list? Any more to suggest? Share your favourites below in the comments thread.
Bryan Langley’s first console was the Super Nintendo and he hasn’t stopped using his opposable thumbs since. He is based in Bristol, UK and is still searchin' for them glory days he never had.
