Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Key Takeaways

  • Gran Turismo revolutionized the racing sim genre with its meticulous attention to detail and realism, becoming one of the top-selling franchises in gaming.
  • The true quality of a Gran Turismo game is measured by its impact upon release, with some shaking up the genre and others falling short.
  • Each new installment of Gran Turismo brings boundless innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what fans believed possible.

As someone who has spent countless hours behind the virtual wheel over the years, I can confidently say that the Gran Turismo series is the cream of the crop when it comes to racing simulators. From the very beginning with the original Gran Turismo, right up to the latest releases, these games have consistently delivered an unparalleled driving experience that feels so real, you’d think you were actually on a racetrack.

The Gran Turismo series, boasting over 70 million sales across its mainline games, stands as a formidable titan in the gaming world. Known for its unwavering focus on precision and realism, Sony’s blockbuster franchise has significantly shaped the racing simulation genre. Side by side with Forza, it continues to dominate the field even today.

While each main installment of the series technically surpasses its predecessors, a game’s true value might be more accurately assessed by the influence it had when initially released. The most outstanding Gran Turismo games significantly disrupted the racing simulation genre, whereas some merely followed established trends.

Every Gran Turismo Game (Release Timeline)

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked
GameRelease Date (NA)Metacritic Rating
Gran TurismoMay 12, 199880
Gran Turismo 2December 16, 199993
Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecJuly 10, 200195
Gran Turismo ConceptN/AN/A
Gran Turismo 4 PrologueN/AN/A
Gran Turismo 4February 22, 200589
Gran Turismo HD ConceptDecember 24, 200682
Gran Turismo 5 PrologueApril 15, 200880
Gran Turismo (PSP)October 1, 200974
Gran Turismo 5November 24, 201084
Gran Turismo 6December 6, 201381
Gran Turismo SportOctober 17, 201775
Gran Turismo 7March 4, 202287
My First Gran TurismoDecember 6, 2024N/A

In this analysis, we won’t factor in the Concept and Prologue games from the table, as they are usually seen as precursory works leading up to the main series releases, rather than standalone, complete games.

10. Gran Turismo Sport

Metacritic Rating: 75

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Following a four-year anticipation, enthusiasts of the series were equally anxious and thrilled to obtain Gran Turismo Sport. Regrettably, a significant portion of that enthusiasm dissipated within weeks after its launch, as it became apparent how average this edition truly turned out to be.

It’s important to note that Gran Turismo Sport isn’t a poor game by any means, but it doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking to the table either. Despite its strong post-release updates, it has fewer tracks and cars compared to its previous version. Additionally, this is the first title in the series to incorporate microtransactions, which somewhat tarnishes its reputation.

9. Gran Turismo 6

Metacritic Rating: 81

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Although Gran Turismo 6 came with more cars and tracks compared to its previous version, it sold approximately half as many copies. This is primarily due to the perception among potential buyers that it was quite similar to the series’ fifth installment, lacking significant innovation in comparison.

In essence, GT6 boasts a greater level of detail and complexity, making it appear superior to its counterpart. However, upon closer inspection, much of this added depth turns out to be skin deep. After removing the novelty of the new cars, both games show striking similarities, causing some players to opt for sticking with their original choice due to familiarity.

8. Gran Turismo (PSP)

Metacritic Rating: 74

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Initially unveiled at Sony’s E3 2004 press conference, the release of Gran Turismo for the PSP didn’t happen until late in 2009. Whether the final product was worth the long wait is open to discussion, but based on sales figures, it seems that most fans of the series would agree that it was.

The game managed to sell roughly 4.9 million copies, placing it among the top-selling PlayStation Portable games ever made. Regrettably, it didn’t receive the same positive feedback from critics as it did from consumers, earning a 74 average on Metacritic. Nevertheless, considering it was a handheld driving game from its time, it’s quite remarkable not only in terms of graphics but also for its realism.

7. My First Gran Turismo

Metacritic Rating: N/A

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

This version of Gran Turismo functions like contemporary counterparts to the classic games Concept and Prologue, offering gamers a trial run of Gran Turismo 7 without any initial cost. It encompasses various aspects, including License Centre challenges, Music Rally races, and even enables transferring cars and progress to Gran Turismo 7 if users opt for an upgrade, making it a great stepping stone for enthusiasts.

One way to rephrase the given text in natural and easy-to-read language is: The standout feature of “My First Gran Turismo” might be its compatibility with virtual reality, offering players an immersive taste of what many believe is one of the top games for PSVR 2. While it functions as an extended demo, players can anticipate investing a substantial amount of time in “My First Gran Turismo“, thereby providing them with a solid indication of whether they would enjoy the complete game.

6. Gran Turismo 7

Metacritic Rating: 87

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

After the letdown of GT6 and GT Sport, Gran Turismo 7 carried significant pressure, especially since Forza from Microsoft has surpassed it in the opinions of many gamers. Fortunately, the game managed to meet these high standards, providing a substantial and obvious improvement over its two preceding versions.

The visual appeal of Gran Turismo 7 is striking, offering one of the most authentic driving experiences yet. However, its solo campaign may feel repetitive at times, and the reintroduction of Microtransactions somewhat dampens the experience. Nevertheless, for those seeking a genuine racing simulation, it’s hard to beat this game.

5. Gran Turismo 5

Metacritic Rating: 84

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Gran Turismo 5 ranks as the second highest-selling game in the series’ chronicles, and it deserves every bit of its popularity. The enhanced capabilities of the PlayStation 3 significantly boosted its visual quality, making it outshine all other racing games from that period remarkably.

Back in its day, Gran Turismo 5 stood out with more than 1,000 vehicles and 72 tracks, making it the largest and most authentic Gran Turismo title at launch. The meticulous work put into refining the driving mechanics is evident to everyone, playing a significant role in creating an enjoyable gaming experience.

4. Gran Turismo 4

Metacritic Rating: 89

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Taking off where its predecessor Gran Turismo 4 left off, it delivered everything that fans of the series were dreaming of and much more. Boasting almost four times as many vehicles and twice as many circuits, the game reinforced the idea that “size matters,” all while receiving some well-deserved improvements under the hood.

Admittedly, not having an online playing option was slightly underwhelming, and the rather uninspiring arcade mode may have hindered its potential. However, the abundance of activities and sights kept players engrossed for hundreds of hours if they so wished, without the slightest hint of boredom. And indeed, many players capitalized on this opportunity.

3. Gran Turismo 2

Metacritic Rating: 93

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Creating a successful follow-up to an incredibly popular video game can be tricky for many developers due to the high expectations. However, Polyphony Digital managed to pull it off flawlessly with Gran Turismo 2, as shown by its strong sales and positive reviews from both gamers and critics alike.

In essence, GT2 significantly increased the car count from 140 to an impressive 650 and nearly tripled the number of tracks available. The introduction of new game modes and enhanced mechanics made it even harder to resist, solidifying its place as a leader in the racing simulator genre. What’s truly significant, though, is that it proved the success of the first game was no mere fluke.

2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Metacritic Rating: 95

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec stands out as the top-selling installment within the Gran Turismo series so far, and it’s widely considered to have made some of the most significant improvements from one game to another in Sony’s extended franchise. Considering how remarkable Gran Turismo 2 was, achieving this level of enhancement wasn’t an easy task for the developers.

Despite a significant decrease in the number of cars to just 181 units, GT3 boasted a wider variety of tracks and game modes compared to its previous versions. What’s more, the substantial improvement in power and data capacity from the PlayStation 1 to the PlayStation 2 enabled the developers to elevate the game’s details to breathtakingly high-quality new standards.

1. Gran Turismo

Metacritic Rating: 80

Every Gran Turismo Game, Ranked

Apart from possibly Virtua Fighter and Resident Evil, it’s worth considering that no other video game has left such a profound impact on its genre as Gran Turismo did. The game’s focus on realism and stunning visuals enabled the creators to truly convey the joy of driving, all without relying on cheap tricks or shortcuts.

Compared to contemporary racing games that offer numerous tracks, Gran Turismo, with just eleven tracks, might appear somewhat sparse. However, considering the context, eleven tracks were surprisingly plentiful, as many competing games during that period offered only ten to fifteen vehicles for players to select. The impressive collection of 140 cars could be considered excessive, given that most competitors in the same era had fewer options.

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2024-12-10 18:57