Review: PSX driving games shift into high gear

By CNN Interactive Producer Dave Ragals

"Gran Turismo" is the most realistic driving title available for the PlayStation

In this story:

• Gran Turismo
• Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit
• San Francisco Rush
• Newman Haas Racing
• Related stories and sites

(CNN) -- Driving games make up one of the most heavily populated categories of PlayStation titles. And recently, it got even more crowded, with the release of no fewer than four new games: "Gran Turismo," "Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit," "San Francisco Rush" and "Newman-Haas Racing."

While each puts you behind the wheel of some pretty fast vehicles, they are all very different games. Some are pure racing games, while others let you wreak havoc on city streets. Ultimately, though, it's the gameplay and options that really set them apart.

Gran Turismo - Sony Computer Entertainment America

Like most new driving games, "Gran Turismo" offers two-player mode

"Gran Turismo" is a must-have for any PlayStation owner who even mildly enjoys driving games. And if they're among your favorites, you could very well find this to be the best game out there for the PlayStation.

For starters, the driving simulation is excellent, especially if you hook up an analog controller. These cars drive better than those found in any other title. It's not just about keeping your finger on the accelerator and bouncing off the walls. One bad move, and the only thing you see while doing a 360 is the other cars whizzing by.

But that's only the beginning. While a lot of racing titles are fun for a while -- until you learn how to win all the time and run out of tracks -- this game is so comprehensive, it will take a long, long time to see and do everything.

There are two modes -- arcade and simulation. Forget arcade. Head straight for simulation mode. You start out with no car and a few points (they should have just called it money). Shop around at one of 11 dealerships for a car -- probably a used one, for starters. If you have enough points left over, upgrade it a little, take your license exam and hit the track. As you win races, you earn points, which you can then use to soup up your car or buy another one.

The choices are seemingly endless. With more than 150 different cars to choose from -- and countless features you can buy for them -- you won't see the same thing twice. You can stock up your garage with different types of vehicles -- rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, lightweight, etc. -- which enable you to enter different races.

Many games with this much variety are strong in one area and weak in others. But Sony obviously put a lot into this one. The graphics and sound are really good, but with all this game has to offer, you just expect them to be.

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit - Electronic Arts

"Need for Speed III" offers great graphics... and a great chase

This game is very different from "Gran Turismo," but it's also a lot of fun. It's not as comprehensive or realistic, but it will provide hours and hours of great gameplay.

You can choose from a nice list of rather expensive sports cars and some of the best tracks available for a driving title. You can also select day- or night-time driving, the amount of traffic and whether you want a single race or tournament.

But the newest, and best, part is "Pursuit Mode," where beating the opposition is one thing -- outrunning the police is a totally different matter. The cops will be hot on your trail from the start -- after all, you'll be going over 200 miles per hour on public streets. Just when you think you've blown them away, they call in backup, and this time, they're driving faster cars. They'll also set up road blocks and nasty tire spikes. The first time they catch you, you'll get a warning. But don't make a habit out of it. If they catch you enough times, they'll arrest you and put an end to your racing days.

There a lot of great options here, like deciding between a Lamborghini Diablo or a Jaguar XJR-15, and the graphics are truly excellent. Each of the eight tracks is well-rendered and unique, from a path that cuts through a canyon to a modern coastline track. And, you'll discover a few shortcuts to get a leg up on both the competition and the police.

If high-speed driving is what you're after, you won't be let down.

San Francisco Rush - Midway

"San Francisco Rush" has been highly successful in the arcades, but the PlayStation version leaves a little to be desired. On first glance, it appears to be nothing more than a glamorized "Ridge Racer," which was a great game when it came out -- in 1995.

Play it a few times, and you'll discover there's more to it. But, ultimately, the graphics are far from spectacular and the gameplay pales in comparison to "Gran Turismo" and "Need for Speed III." What makes it enjoyable is looking for shortcuts that take you over, under and inside buildings. Still, given the alternatives, this game may be only worth a rental.

Newman Haas Racing - Psygnosis

"Newman Haas Racing" just doesn't stay on-track

"Newman Haas Racing" from Psygnosis -- the people who brought us "Formula 1" -- is a clunky attempt to out-do Sony's "CART World Series.

The driving controls are very stiff, even with an analog controller. In fact, playing this game with an analog controller is extremely confusing -- while you use the left stick for steering, you have to accelerate and brake with the right stick, rather than use the buttons. It's easier to just use a regular controller, and that's a bad sign for a driving title.

The in-game commentary, provided by the ABC/ESPN team of Bobby Varsha and Danny Sullivan, is pretty bland. Both of them sound bored, which probably explains these lines...

"Do you want a sandwich Danny?"
"No."

"This has turned into a great race."
"It's better than fishing."

"Wow. He's really accelerating now."

The graphics are pretty good, but not enough to make up for everything else. If you want to race against Alex Zanardi, stick to "CART."

With all the driving titles to choose from, you can easily take a wrong turn and wind up with an Edsel of a game. Depending on what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with either "Gran Turismo" or "Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit." If you really enjoy driving games, get both. They're two very different games, but they're both highly addictive and fast-paced. And, for 40 or 50 bucks, you can live out your driving fantasies.

Related stories:

• Review: "MLB '99" a definite player but not quite an all-star - May 11, 1998

Related sites:

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• Sony Playstation Home Page
• Electronic Arts
• Midway Games Inc.
• Psygnosis

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