Forbes ranks Top 10 video games for drivers
We may not be able to afford exotic cars in real life, but for decades gearheads the world over have embraced video games as a way to unleash their inner Schumacher. Jeremy Rosenberg at ForbesAutos.com (OK, Forbes isn't an obvious choice for a video game survey, but what the heck, at least some Forbes readers can actually afford to buy these cars...) has examined the historical spectrum of driving games, ranging from arcade classics to the current state of the art, and come up with an all-time Top Ten list:- Gran Turismo 4
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
- Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
- Spy Hunter
- Project Gotham Racing 3
- Sega GT 2002
- Test Drive Unlimited
- Pole Position
- The Fast and the Furious
You may not agree with Forbes' choices and ranking, but with Sony's much-anticipated PlayStation 3 launching next month, the list might get you thinking about a new driving game to showcase the next-gen platform. Or maybe you'll just grab a roll of quarters and head for the arcade.
[Source: ForbesAutos.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
autoshow 3:05PM (10/06/2006)
I can't belive they placed Pole Position only 9th. And
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed is a joke.
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
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eddie 3:14PM (10/06/2006)
NFS porsche unleashed was awesome. of course GT4 is a classic, and probebly will be the best until the new Gran Turismo HD is released for ps3.
im surprised GTA: Vice City beat out Mafia (PC version), i found Mafia's driving engine to be a bit more fun.
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Jamie 3:19PM (10/06/2006)
Where oh where is Sega Rally?! Even the wife liked that...
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Seanatron 3:25PM (10/06/2006)
No Forza???
Forza > GT4
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Peter 3:24PM (10/06/2006)
Where is Forza, Enthusia, and Colin McRae Rally? I'm quite suprised that these were off the list, especially in the case of Forza. Surely the Xbox crowd's played-out retort to GT4 should be included?
Porsche Unleashed is a great game. I spent many enjoyable hours racing 914s in it.
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Hamud 3:29PM (10/06/2006)
Porsche Unleashed was one of the best IMHO, miss those days when NFS had the interior view.
They should have considered GTR2, GT Legends, rFactor and Toca 3, they are more on the simulation area, but are the best in their class.
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Batman 3:37PM (10/06/2006)
What about Live for Speed? True physics, no BS. Although GT4 is pretty good.
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JayP 3:40PM (10/06/2006)
Test Drive (C64) was the first in-car driver I'd ever seen. It's been surpassed, but it was the benchmark for playability.
Another C64 game called HotRod was the first time you raced for money and built up cars. Winning and selling cars along the way got you to build with better race parts. Kinda like a GT-lite.
I'd put the original GT in before GT4... that game sold millions of consoles and exposed the PS to non-gamer car people.
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Breakah 3:42PM (10/06/2006)
FORZA
wtf is up with Fart and and the Furios.
Whatevars Forbes
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risingsun 3:53PM (10/06/2006)
Life for Speed is the best driving simulator ever, and I'm sure no one has heard of it. At least Batman is with me.
Play Life for Speed then throw out your other racing sims.
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Tim UF 3:54PM (10/06/2006)
forza is as deserving of a spot on this list as sega gt 2002 is.
i'd prefer this list not be diluted with games like GTA:vice city. while a wildly popular game, its not purely a driving game.
how about throwing rallisport/rallisport2 onto the list also? some unrealistic physics in these (especially on rallisport one) but a very fun game none-the-less.
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Taylor Alexander 3:55PM (10/06/2006)
Forbes=Old rich dudes who don't play games.
And anyway, my favorite so far has been Need For Speed Most Wanted. You get sweet cars and a have a wide variety of challenges, instead of just doing laps over and over. For replay value, it rocks. I also love the sensation of speed, it's really good (playing it on a 60" HDTV helps). :) It's not for everyone, and I haven't played most of those others so I can's say if it should be on the list, but it's my favorite.
-Taylor
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Oh Brother 6:35PM (10/06/2006)
Dear Forbes.com:
ENOUGH WITH THE "LISTS" THAT PASS AS ARTICLES YOU LAZY SLOBS.
And while I'm at it, my vote is also for Live for Speed, has great physics, your friends can play for free on freeware versions.
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David 4:26PM (10/06/2006)
Rad Racer and Driver are both missing from that list.
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jordan 4:29PM (10/06/2006)
I'm with Taylor on NFSMW. I can pick it up for 30min here and there, and then quickly throw it down when I get angry that things keep getting harder and harder. Unfortunately, I keep going back at it because it is addictive to me. :) Blacklist #1 challenges finally! And I only got the game in March, lol. ;) Yea, I'm slow, but it's fun! It's the best $30 (I think) I've spent on a non-FPS. (WoW is nice and all, but too time-depriving!)
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fizzandpop 4:36PM (10/06/2006)
Donde esta RidgeRacer, and the original arcade Daytona 500? Forbes should stick to rating tennis rackets, golf clubs and resort pants, stuff that whitey knows something about.
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Joshvar 4:39PM (10/06/2006)
The list is a joke, and while I think Forza was a pale, overweight, acne-covered imitation of GT4, it was better than some of the games on there. While the previous GT games were awesome and really brought solid driving simulation to the mainstream, I think that GT4 is, by a significant margin, the best simulation of driving of the series (and I'm a fan of the first 3).
And you have to be kidding about NFS:Most Wanted. The only thing Most Wanted about that game was that I Most Wanted to turn off the system, and Least Wanted to keep playing.
Live for Speed looks interesting, but seems to be rather limited and the price is steep ($50usd) for a less complete game than GT4. I hope development continues to progress as it looks nice, and they expand the abilities to configure the vehicles.
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Ryan H 4:47PM (10/06/2006)
I realize it appeals to the "bling culture", but Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition is a great driving game, along with the Need For Speeds.
Without customization, GT4 is without a doubt my favorite driving game.
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fizzandpop 4:43PM (10/06/2006)
Does anyone have a copy of Teen People? I want to find out which no-load mutual fund is right for me.
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doglet 4:44PM (10/06/2006)
gran turismo is the only game on that list that is even good. all the rest i wouldnt even call racing games, they all have to have some kind of gimick or silly gameplay mechanism tacked on to hide the completle lack of realism. gran truismo is the only one where lapping a car around a track as fast as possible is enough for a complete game with unlimited replayabality.
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