Autoblog

Click above for more stills from Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

If you're lucky enough to own a PS3, you're most likely deciding whether or not to fork out $40 for GT 5 Prologue. While that might seem like a lot of money for a "demo" game, the latest news on the full version is that it's still a full year away from launch. That's quite a while to wait, so we're guessing most people will break down and buy the Prologue when it's released on April 17.

Part of that wait will hopefully be because GT 5 may include realistic damage to vehicles for the first time. While manufacturers still aren't keen on the idea, Gran Turismo creator Kazanori Yamauchi says that they are coming around to it. Damage modeling appears in other driving games like Forza Motorsport 2, so we don't see why manufacturers would mind seeing it Gran Turismo, as well.

Since we are still a few weeks away from the launch of GT 5 Prologue, you can whet your appetite with the trailer, refresh your knowledge of the track and car list, or drool over the gallery below.

[Source: Joystiq.com, VideoGaming247.com]

With things like cheap gas and the value of a dollar slowly being taken from us, it's good to see that somebody wants to give us something. For the US release of the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Polyphony has thrown in features the Japanese version didn't get.

There's a drift mode that judges drivers on three parameters, there's two-player, split-screen racing and there are new events and challenges for racers online and offline that can support up to 16 racers simultaneously. Plus, there's a new track, bringing the total to six. And for us, that means there's a new list of excuses we're going to need to come up with when people start asking "Where have you been?" and "You look tired -- were you up late last night?"

In case the cars, tracks and gameplay aren't enough, Winding Road has a new trailer video of the GT5 Prologue featuring a fair bit of Ferrari action -- and that's never a bad way to start the week. Follow the jump to see the complete list of tracks, and check out our updated hi-res photo gallery of the prologue below.


[Source: PS3 Fanboy]

click above for more high-res screen shots from GT 5 Prologue

I got a PlayStation 3 this Christmas from Santa who must've mistaken me on his list for a much more deserving child. Yippy for me, though. The PS3 is the most powerful game console in the world, yet it sits idle in my entertainment center as the loud hum of my XBox 360 (I know, two consoles, I'm truly blessed) drones on. All that will change on April 17, which is the confirmed date that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will go on sale for the PS3.

GT 5 Prologue, unfortunately, is just a preview of what we'll get when the full version of this fifth installment is released sometime in the future. But what a preview it is with 60 cars and five full tracks on which to race in high-def glory. You'll be able to buy GT 5 Prologue on April 17th either as a downloadable game from the PlayStation Network on your console or on disc at any games retailer, both for $40. Gran Turismo games were always my favorite on both the PlayStation 1 and 2, and I'm hoping GT5 Prologue will finally get me interested in the PS3 that's been suffering some serious neglect (no, you can't have it) since Christmas.

[Source: Joystiq]

Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of the 1960 Corvette from GT5

GT5 will come with a 1960 Corvette, and we heartily applaud the inclusion. The car looks like it's had an afternoon session at a tuner shop -- nothing fancy, just a slight drop, some rims and wider tires. The rims could be a bit questionable, not in themselves, just on this particular car. However, if the physics have kept up with the tires, then the car will be much easier to drive on the track as opposed to the pencil-thin whitewalls the car wore on the showroom floor. Not that you're going to be flying past any GT-R's, but a nice wind-in-your-helmet lap in a car that requires true finesse to get the best out of it will still be a lot of fun. Click the gallery below for hi-res images of the classic 'Vette.

[Source: PS3 Fanboy]

If it were a dessert, it would be Death By Chocolate. Since it's Gran Turismo 5, we're going to call it Death By Motorized Magnitude. Word is the full game will come with 900 cars -- or as The Count would say on Sesame Street, "Count dem, 900 cars, ha ha ha!" And one of those cars will be the Ford GT LM edition. Which could really count as five or six cars by itself, it's so bloody tasty.

The GT Prologue Demo will come with a mere 30 cars, but there are some tarmac toasters in there, one of them being the GT LM, as well as a smattering of other really fast but non-race cars. There's also a BMW 135i Coupe, convenient in case you wish to test it out on CG twisties before spending a heap of your very real money on the genuine article. As for tracks, word is that the Prologue could also add either Laguna Seca, Infineon, or (mouth ... watering ... must ... concentrate) the 'Ring. We sign up where?

[Source: GT Channel]

click above image for more high-res screen shots from Gran Turismo 5

Autoblog loves a good racing simulation as much as the next blog. At the SEMA Show in Vegas last week, John was doing AB proud on Forza 2 Project Gotham Racing 3 and just got nipped for some cool swank at the end of the day. As cool as we think games like Forza and PGR are, we've also been covering the prolonged debut of Playstation's newest Gran Turismo offering. While Gran Turismo 5 won't be available for a while, GT5 Prologue is available in playable demo form as we speak. Nevertheless, we eagerly devour new screen shots when they surface since not a single Autoblogger owns a PS3. (Hear that, Santa?) The graphics are just so freakin' fantastic. To that end we have been keeping watch on the Playstation website for updates. Well, while we were preparing for SEMA some new pics got posted. There are lots of new screenshots on the GT website where you'll also find new videos, including the Ferrari F430 being given the spur. We assembled a quick gallery of screenshots too, which include the STi and GT-R looking an awful lot like the production versions of those cars. Click away.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

As previously reported, the demo of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available to download October 20th through November 11th for those of you lucky enough to be PS3-equipped. Now, we've got the details about what vehicles you'll be able to virtually flog while battling out with 16 other contenders around Suzuka.

Seven vehicles are available, including the BMW 135i, Daihatsu OFC-1 (?), Lexus IS-F, Mazda Atenza (Mazda6), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR, Nissan GT-R and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. As mentioned, only one track will be available: Suzuka.

Also of note, Sony has plans to unveil a new car between the 23rd and 25th, but it's anyone's guess what that could be. The maker of our favorite electronic crack will also be showing off its new free news service geared towards auto coverage and motorsports.

[Source: GTChannel]

UPDATED: Trailer with no soundtrack added so you can hear the engines!


One of the biggest complaints about the Gran Turismo series may be corrected when a mini version of the next game, called Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, hits store shelves later this year. GT Channel is reporting that the game will include Ferraris for the first time in its history. This is based on a recent trailer of GT 5 Prologue that shows a Ferrari F430 on track. We would imagine if the F430 is included, other of Modena's finest are, as well.

E3 is also going on as we speak, and news from the trade show today is that the full version of GT 5 won't be coming until at least the spring of 2008, Sony is releasing the smaller Gran Turismo 5 Prologue this year to keep us interested. Though likely featuring a small stable of cars, Prologue will reportedly allow online racing, which is another feature the GT series has gone without for too long.

Check out the newly released Gran Turismo 5 Prologue trailer featuring Ferraris on track after the jump.

[Source: GT Channel, YouTube]