Key Insights on the Gran Turismo Franchise
- Gran Turismo has transformed the racing simulation genre with its unparalleled focus on detail and authenticity, establishing itself as a leading franchise in the gaming world.
- The impact of a Gran Turismo title upon its release is a critical measure of its quality, with some games having a significant influence on the genre while others seem less innovative.
- Each new entry in the series introduces fresh ideas and technologies, continuously redefining fans’ expectations of racing games.
With over 70 million copies sold across its eight primary titles, Gran Turismo stands as a titan in the gaming industry. Known for its incredible realism and meticulous design, this acclaimed series has not only redefined the racing simulation genre but continues to compete at the forefront alongside franchises like Forza.
Although each version of the series has made technical strides compared to its predecessors, the true measure of a game’s quality often lies in its initial cultural impact. The most memorable titles in the Gran Turismo lineup have genuinely disrupted the racing sim landscape, while others have simply adhered to established norms.
Updated December 10, 2024, by Tom Bowen: For more than 25 years, the Gran Turismo series has set the standard for driving simulations, delivering highly realistic racing experiences on console systems. Each release is characterized by profound innovations, with Kazunori Yamauchi and his team consistently expanding the boundaries of fans’ expectations in racing mechanics. The recent launch of My First Gran Turismo makes it an ideal moment to reflect on the franchise’s most outstanding titles and assess their performances against one another.
Complete Timeline of Gran Turismo Releases
|
Game |
Release Date (NA) |
Metacritic Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
May 12, 1998 |
80 |
|
|
December 16, 1999 |
93 |
|
|
July 10, 2001 |
95 |
|
|
Gran Turismo Concept |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Gran Turismo 4 Prologue |
N/A |
N/A |
|
February 22, 2005 |
89 |
|
|
Gran Turismo HD Concept |
December 24, 2006 |
82 |
|
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue |
April 15, 2008 |
80 |
|
October 1, 2009 |
74 |
|
|
November 24, 2010 |
84 |
|
|
December 6, 2013 |
81 |
|
|
October 17, 2017 |
75 |
|
|
March 4, 2022 |
87 |
|
|
December 6, 2024 |
N/A |
While the Concept and Prologue titles are listed above, they will not be factored into the overall rankings, as they are often seen more as enhancements leading into the main games rather than standalone experiences.
10 Gran Turismo Sport
Metacritic Rating: 75
After a much-anticipated four-year hiatus, fans of the series were eager to experience Gran Turismo Sport. However, this enthusiasm waned quickly as the game’s limitations became apparent. While not a poor offering, Gran Turismo Sport was deemed lackluster compared to its predecessors, introducing a smaller selection of tracks and vehicles. Notably, it was the first title to incorporate microtransactions, a controversial move that detracted from its overall reception.
9 Gran Turismo 6
Metacritic Rating: 81
Gran Turismo 6 launched with an extensive array of vehicles and tracks, yet it underperformed in sales—selling only about half the units of its predecessor. Many potential gamers perceived it as too similar to Gran Turismo 5, offering minimal innovation. Although it provided increased depth, much of this nuance ended up being superficial, leading many to content themselves with the fifth installment.
8 Gran Turismo (PSP)
Metacritic Rating: 74
Initially teased during Sony’s E3 2004 presentation, Gran Turismo for the PSP finally launched in late 2009, raising questions about whether the wait was justified. Sales figures indicate acceptance among fans, with the title selling nearly 5 million copies, marking it as one of the top-selling games for the handheld platform. Although it garnered mixed critical reviews, averaging a score of 74 on Metacritic, it showcased impressive visuals and realism for its time.
7 My First Gran Turismo
Metacritic Rating: N/A
My First Gran Turismo acts as a modern counterpart to the earlier Concept and Prologue titles, allowing players to explore Gran Turismo 7 without financial commitment. It features a diverse range of content, from License Centre evaluations to Music Rally challenges, and enables progression and vehicles to be carried over to Gran Turismo 7 for those who decide to invest further.
One of the game’s standout features is its compatibility with virtual reality, letting players experience the capabilities of the PSVR 2. Although classified as a demo, My First Gran Turismo provides ample gameplay that helps users gauge their interest in the full game.
6 Gran Turismo 7
Metacritic Rating: 87
Following the mixed responses to GT6 and GT Sport, Gran Turismo 7 faced high expectations, especially with competitors like Forza making significant progress. Fortunately, this installment managed to meet and even exceed these expectations, demonstrating substantial enhancements compared to its predecessors.
The game is visually stunning and delivers one of the most authentic driving experiences available. However, some players may find the single-player campaign somewhat repetitive, and the reintroduction of microtransactions has marred the experience for others. Overall, Gran Turismo 7 still stands as one of the premier choices for realistic racing simulation enthusiasts.
5 Gran Turismo 5
Metacritic Rating: 84
Gran Turismo 5 is notable for its sales achievements, ranking as the second-best-selling game in the Gran Turismo lineup. The superior capabilities of the PS3 facilitated significant improvements in graphical fidelity, quickly outpacing competing racing titles.
Featuring over 1,000 cars and 72 tracks, Gran Turismo 5 set a new standard for both scale and realism at its release. The meticulous crafting of driving physics contributed to the overall enjoyment and engagement of players.
4 Gran Turismo 4
Metacritic Rating: 89
Gran Turismo 4 built upon the successes of its predecessor, offering everything fans desired and more. The game expanded the roster of cars and tracks, resulting in nearly four times the vehicle selection and double the racing locations.
Despite a notable absence of online features and a somewhat underwhelming arcade mode, the vast array of content enabled players to enjoy countless hours of gameplay, captivating a dedicated audience.
3 Gran Turismo 2
Metacritic Rating: 93
The challenge of crafting a successful sequel to a beloved game is substantial, yet Polyphony Digital conquered this task with Gran Turismo 2, achieving remarkable sales and acclaim.
GT2 significantly increased its car count from 140 to 650 and nearly tripled the number of tracks available. Enhanced game modes and refined mechanics solidified its place in the racing sim hierarchy and demonstrated that the franchise’s initial success was no fluke.
2 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Metacritic Rating: 95
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec remains the highest-selling entry in the franchise and is often credited with the most remarkable enhancements between installments. This was no small feat, given the high bar set by the previous titles.
While the total car count was reduced to 181, GT3 introduced more tracks and racing modes than its predecessors. The more powerful PlayStation 2 allowed developers to elevate graphics and gameplay detail to unprecedented levels.
1 Grand Touring
Metacritic Rating: 80
In discussions of impactful video games, Gran Turismo stands out as a genre-defining title. Its unwavering focus on realism and stunning graphics allowed it to convey the thrill of driving without resorting to cheap tricks or gimmicks.
Though it only featured 11 tracks, a count that seems sparse by today’s standards, at its release, this number was impressive and ample. The initial offering of 140 cars contrasted starkly with competitors that often provided only a fraction of that amount.
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