Features 1-2 players Memory card 1500KB Analog control/vibration function Pressure sensitive Epson Printer Compatible Truly talented game makers get noticed for the impressive and addictive games they produce. It is recognized that these individuals take their time and effort to make an outstanding product. I think that's why we gamers revel on each new release, be it a sequel or brand new title. While it is a given that we all have our favorite games there are those titles that are considered universal as gamers from around the world flock to one particular game. One could say that Gran-Turismo is one such title. Arriving on the PSone sometime ago each subsequent title has been hotly anticipated and it has become one of the most premier racing titles to ever grace a videogame console. Its developer, Polyphony Digital, has a huge following and its most recent release is a fast new pretty racing title, but this time with two wheeled vehicles as high performance motorcycles replace the hundreds of cars that racing fans have become accustomed too. As I consider myself somewhat of an avid GT purist and Tourist Trophy looked to be a title I would most enjoy. Graphics Gran-Turismo quality graphics for motorcycles is pretty much the first thought to run through my head as I loaded up Tourist Trophy. I'm convinced that this is the same engine that GT4 uses, with some very minor tweaking. Everything looks spot on the same – the quality and detail of buildings, the natural environments, the real-time lighting and the shadow effects are what first comes to mind. These aren't really anything we haven't seen before but they're just as impressive this time around as they were in GT4. Tourist Trophy's overall presentation also looks much like its automobile counterpart, right down to system menus, options and its motorcycle class system. This is both good and bad, since it lends a hand of familiarity but might be deemed repetitive at the same time. The bike models look largely the same for each class with very minor cosmetic differences for the higher horsepower, so there's really no attachment to them unless you're big into the motorcycle scene. However, even given the similar looks between the bikes they do look realistic, as do the character models that ride them. For me the best part is the riders and how realistically they react to every situation. They lean, turn, and bend in accordance with whatever the player is telling the bike to do. Stare at the screen long enough and you'd swear these riders were real as the animation is superb, and their textures are unbelievable to look at, especially for a PS2 title. The game moves with a grace and beauty that only a developer with great knowledge of its hardware could know. There is the odd bit of slowdown at times and the usual bits of clipping associated with a title of this type. Overall the game looks silky smooth, and runs just fine. I did find PS2's loading times a bit frustrating, but this is minor gripe. That being said the graphics engine also allows for Tourist Trophy to support both 480p and 1080i, even though 1080i really isn't that much different. Sound Kudos goes out to the Tourist Trophy's audio development team. The dozens of bikes all have their own sounds, be it loud and brash or tinny and whinny. The great attention to detail in the sound department really makes for an enjoyable and realistic experience. Aside from the realistic effects, however, the game doesn't have much sound to speak of. Music in the game is really not too impressive and the meagre dozen or so tunes are of the boom variety and lend nothing to the games overall appeal which was a little bit disappointing for me. I guess I will have to wait for the PS3 and a HDD to be able to play the music I like to race to. Gameplay After much crashing and frustration during my initial learning curve I found Tourist Trophy to be a competent racer. The main skill you will have to learn is how to brake and steer the bike without wiping out and throwing your rider to certain videogame peril. I've personally think that the PS2 controller is one of, if not the best, controller ever conceived (although I'm really beginning to fall for the new 360 controller). That being the case I really believe the PS2's dual analog controller helps the gamer progress through the initial learning curve. This curve is long and will be tough, especially for newbies to the motorcycle racing genre, but any gamer willing to put in the effort will be rewarded in the end. Once you get a feeling for the control it is as if the fog lifts and your hands were made to do this. Like GT4 the game is also long and has many different classes to practice and race through. Along the way the gamer can upgrade almost anything on the 100 plus bikes in the game. Gamers can tune up or down to qualify for almost any sort of event, and although not as in-depth as GT 4, Tourist Trophy is certainly a game you won't finish in one or even a few sittings. Hardcore motorcycle racing fanatics will be in two wheel racing heaven. There are two modse of play, arcade and a challenge mode. Arcade consists of quick play races for one or two players. The challenge mode is a career mode in which you can move up the ladder and unlock upgrades as well as new bikes. Tourist Trophy features over 100 licensed motorcycles from several manufacturers such as BMW (which also houses Ducati), Buell, Honda, and Kawasaki. The game also includes more than 35 international closed-circuit and city courses, including some GT4 tracks. Events range from 250cc to 1500cc classes in arcade and Challenge modes, and the popular snapshot Photo Mode straight out of GT4 make a return. Also included is an enormous amount of licensed motorcycle gear, from helmets to shoes to leathers. With such a plethora of gaming goodness Tourist Trophy does have its share of problems, the most glaring of which is its lack of any sort of online component. While a two player split screen is a valid option, the omission of an online arena seems like a crime, especially since the Sony's competitor for PS2 two wheeled supremacy is now working its fourth racing title on the system including online play. Couple this with the fact that the network adapter is now a standard feature with every slim line PS2 sold and it really doesn't make sense why they didn't include online play. Conclusion This is another great title from Polyphony Digital and it drives home the point (editor's note: pun intended) that they know how to make solid racing titles. Tourist Trophy is a must buy for most motorcycle enthusiasts or racing nuts. Its slick presentation and in-depth options make for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. I thought the inclusion of some cool features, namely the ability to print out your pics on a printer really gave this title some balance too. But with all the good in this game the bad still plays a role in my review of this title. The lack of online play really hurts Tourist Trophy and the limitation of only four other racers on screen kicks it in the shins a little more. That being said I still did like Tourist Trophy enough to keep playing even after my review duties were done and I recommend that all of you PS2 racing fans give this one a try.