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Tourist Trophy - "The real deal"

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: April 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I can't believe I'm the first person to write a review for this game! Let me first start out by saying that this is by far the best sport bike riding video game on the market. Nothing comes close. The MotoGP series is good... but Tourist Trophy is even better!

Now on to the review! The visuals within the "cockpit" view are fantastic, and this (for me) was the sole reason to purchase this game. I myself own a Yamaha YZF600 which is similar to the cockpit of the Yamaha R6. I haven't been able to ride due to the winter season, so I've been searching for a game that gives me that realistic riding experience. Tourist Trophy gives you that feeling, and you get that because you're looking at an actual snapshot of the cockpit to whichever bike you choose. It's dead on! So, to keep myself from going insane from not being able to ride right now, I just pop in Tourist Trophy, select the R6, choose the cockpit view, and I just ride! It's fantastic!

The graphics are stunning. If you've ever played Gran Turismo 4 then the graphics will be no surprise to you. If you're new to the whole Gran Turismo and Tourist Trophy games, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The scenery, the tracks, the bikes... everything just looks great! I find myself watching the replays a lot, which I usually hate, but the game just looks so good... it's hard not to watch the replays!

The sound from the bikes... way cool! They all sound like the real thing, so if you're ever curious to what a GSXR sounds like at a 150 miles per hour, get the game and found out for yourself. The music is descent, however when playing in the arcade mode, I have found the music to repeat certain tracks too frequently. There's a huge play-list of songs that you can access through the menu, but I haven't heard a good 90% of the songs. What gives? In any case the music is good.

There are a few modes to choose from. One on one, Arcade, Campaign, and head to head. I can't write much about the campaign (Tourist Trophy Mode), as I have just received my novice license in the game, which allows you to enter some of the rookie races. If it's anything like Gran Turismo 4, then its safe to say that the campaign mode in Tourist Trophy is solid. Arcade mode is fun, although I can't get the R1 in Arcade mode. Do I have to unlock this? Head to Head is fun, and time trial is of course racing against yourself... which is what racing is all about.

No online play, which would have been nice. Arcade mode doesn't have a difficulty select option, (easy, normal, hard). Besides that, this is a great game. There is a learning curve with this game so prepare yourself. Practice, practice, practice... There is nothing worse than playing a racing game, and not being able to keep your vehicle on the track. Go through the training courses and read all the briefings before you ride. They will help you to stay off the grass, and moreover... from crashing!

Tourist Trophy is a great game. Going in and out of shadows and whipping past trees at 200 miles per hour is a pretty cool feeling, and Tourist Trophy does a great job of capturing the "speed rush" you get from riding a crotch rocket in real life. Take it from a fellow rider, Tourist Trophy is a great riding simulator and is pretty darn close to the real thing.

Finally some competition for MotoGP

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Since the release of the PS2 the only superbike simulation worth getting was MotoGP, and what a great superbike simulation series that was, and still is. It was hard to imagine any other bike simulator could compete, or would even want to try and compete with what seemed like the greatest bike simulation series ever made. Yet the makers of Gran Turismo have gone and done just that. First of all there is no need to wait for a PC port of the console game to have things like a driving test and camera angle changes and more settings. Tourist Trophy does it all and then some more. You can change your colors, your gear, go to the garage, tune up, buy parts and compete just like the Gran Turismo series does. In terms of graphics I would say that it is currently on par with the MotoGP series, with the MotoGP series possibly slightly ahead in having a more realistic replay, but that is not to say that TT can't pull a few tricks out of its sleeve, and it does, in aces, because this is Gran Turismo, with bikes, producing some street racing modes like its big brother car version - Gran Turismo 4. It would be better if you could actually race with cars on the roads! I would highly recommend that all MotoGP lovers get this. It is a real surprise deal and as we all know, the superbike simulators are some the best racing sims around.

Just some thoughts to add on to other reviews...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 10
Date: May 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

What can I say...I've decided to write a review after playing quite a bit of this game and noticing that there aren't many other reviews out for this game. Interestingly enough, like some other reviewers here I also owned a Yamaha, a FZ6 (the R6, not the FZ6, is in this game). Since on TV ads they pitch this as "created by the makers of Gran Turismo", I'll mostly compare it to that game.

Compared to GT4:
Basically, you just have four licenses Novice-Junior-Expert-Super, and Super of course consists of one lap times. This is much easier to do than GT4, and unlike that game you could make a little mistake in your racing/braking lines and still do pretty well or excellent. Overall, I think the fact that its easier to do makes it more palatable to a general audience interested in motorcycle riding/physics.

Like other reviewers note, this game's challengingness is much more doable than GT4. Therefore, you don't really need to be a super-master at using the analog stick to clear most of the game (whereas you'd kind of really need the Logitech steering wheel+a good table/seat for GT4). It seems the game really just wants you concentrating on good racing lines, braking points, and most importantly, not falling.

There's no more of that annoying "car wash" thing either. You just challenge one-race at a time for bikes, take pictures of your riding, and go on to finish championship races for more special bikes/apparel. Just like GT4, you're really only going to enjoy this game if you enjoy becoming better as you notice it.

While not all of it, I do believe a very good deal of the courses in GT4 are available in this game. There are brief descriptions of the manufacturers and each bike (although they are the same on the Tourist Trophy website), which I really like.

Overall:
I think it's a good game, especially if you're interested in riding a motorcycle for the first time and are already acquainted very well with driving cars (as I was) or are a fan of GT4. The game will at the very least show you the different racing dynamics (with regards to braking and acceleration) compared to cars, so you won't be surprised in real life if the bike does something different (and you get nervous and/or fall because of that). For example, with cars you would pretty much do full braking immediately in a straight line and with FF/MR cars you would sometimes do left foot braking during cornering for better manipulation of the car. With bikes its pretty much gradual trail-braking into the apex with shifting allowed--more understandable if you play the game.

Suggestions/Comments:
While the Japanese manufactureres are obviously well-represented, I do wish they had Harley-Davidson's (although some of the Buell models are there) and more offerings from the Italian/German manufacturers. For these manufacturers, mostly the top-end is represented (900cc+), so it did make me wonder where their 600cc models are (as I wanted to see what they played like in a simulation).

While I personally never played the MotoGP series (I remember faintly playing the very first one, which obviously wasn't that realistic--although no racing games really were at the time, frankly) I do think the other reviewers' comments about having a money system or something more goal-oriented is quite valid. The physics engine is a bit cheezy occasionally, where you'd make a corner when you shouldn't have and the converse. I'd guess its because of the big difference between controller and real life hand/foot inputs. Anyway, the handling characteristics of each bike becomes quite clear, making it a fine substitute for test-driving one. I'm sure that's why people buy GT4, as well.

Finally--I personally got into an accident early on with the FZ6 (despite my very conservative nature--culprits were fatigue and inexperience+the disparity between my long-time car driving techniques/methods), and while I was the only one hurt the police gave me a tough time (I had to hire a top lawyer more expensive than the bike and insurance combined for 20 minutes of court time as the charges were for little reason serious). I had to do this because, as one would expect, the court system's (and hospital, although much less so) disdain for motorcycles was apparent and I figured my introvertedness with stoicism was not going to play well in the court--as I personally know it gives off a negative initial image (at the same time though I guess they do deal with people who are constantly aggressive and base their views on that). It's very hard to say sorry (and I didn't) when the hearing magistrate tells you immediately that you're mentally "slow" or "stupid" when you answer the question "will you get back on a motorcycle?" with a simple "yes", or that he implied not so faintly for me to say that the crash was a message by God to stop riding (which I also did not say) and my biggest apology privately went to the bike and to those I inconvenienced if any near the scene of the accident. Obviously, don't let this happen to you because you fell in a very bad neighborhood and wear some decent gear. Short of saying that this game will prevent that, I am sure it would have prevented the personal fatigue that came with adjusting from ingrained car to bike (but I guess most bike rikers learned the bike first).

While I will hop back on--preferably on a race track, in a different state from where the crash happened, and definitely not to endanger others of course (like some senior citizens in their biggy Buicks or Ford Explorers--j/k)--the financial expense and emotional jarring to me as a college student has been enough to prevent me from riding again until I at least finish my undergraduate degree with passing of some professional accounting and finance examinations. If I didn't crash, I would still have been enjoying the FZ6's company during this period of hard study (which I do want). I'm just saying choose your destination carefully and be wary of fatigue--not your current state but the state that you expect it to be near your destination. Also, don't expect leniency from the court system even if you, like me, use your signals 100% of the time, don't tailgate, don't speed faster than the flow of traffic, and in general is very considerate for the welfare of others. I personally think that I should have hired the lawyer from the start (the hearing) rather than going to it expecting some small talk from a human being concluding with my real apologies (I personally cannot lie, even if it is occasionally a very unfavorable thing to do) and just a large fine (which the police officer who handed me the ticket after my hospital operation said would happen--it did not, and I was very close to having a criminal record left). Not to scare away prospective riders--but I just wanted some, especially those very conservative, to know what is the worst that could happen in a single crash.

Hope this helps, in both the real and virtual world.

The creators did their research

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 13, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I just bought this game a few days ago but I have been playing nonstop. I will start off & say that this is one of those games that has great replay value. Having own & ridden several bikes in this game & being a seasoned sport rider, I can honestly say that the creators did their homework on each motorcycle. I believe they actually recorded the sounds of the real motorcycles & synchronized them with the online RPM gauges. They even went through the trouble to add the sound of the rev-limiters on the engines. This is the sound that you hear when you over rev the engines to prevent blowing up the engines. The cockpits are consistent with the real motorcycles. What I think is really cool is how accurate this game captures the power & handling ability of each motorcycle in comparison to the real bikes. Example, the tendency that the GSXR 1000 has a tendency to power wheelie through third gear. The superior handling that the CBR1000 has while in the twisties. The sluggishness of the Hayabusa in tight corners. Also just like the real world of sport bike riding just because you have a bike with greater power you will still get beaten by better riders on less powerful machines. It's all there. Also, I don't know if many of you understand the importance of this function but you can even customize your rider's riding style. Considering I ride this way myself to attack tight high speed corners, you can make your rider hang off of the bike & lean his body as opposed to keeping the rider on the bike & lean the bike more while attacking tight corners. Try this & you will see that your cornering ability will be much more efficient. Also what is really neat is the riding school that you can attend in the campaign mode is very accurate as far as the exercises that you have to use in the real world of sport bike riding, such as high speed braking before entering tight corners. I only hope that the creators re release this game in a few years with the new motorcycles that will be produced. I honestly think that this can be a tool to actually test ride the bike before you buy it. :)

Must Try

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 12, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Ok this game is basicly GT4 with bikes. If you loved GT4 you'll love this game. but be prepared its less forgiving and takes a little bit to get use too. You do not earn money in this game. You must win your bikes. Either by challenges or winning races. Which adds to the overall challenge of the game. You can't just buy a bike and overpower it and win any race you want.(like GT4). PD also added a new course and changed some of the old ones. Found myself running into walls that shouldn't have been there. If you haven't tried this game yet do so. Rent, buy, borrow. What ever. Warning you'll want to own it.

Great Riding Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 19, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have not ridden many motorcycles, but with my limited experience, I can say that this game will get you a great feel for how street and sports bikes perform. This is a great game, with a simple, well designed interface. The only thing I want to see in it yet is Road America, but that's minor.

Easier than I was led to believe

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: May 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I love motorcycle racing and wanted a good bike game for my PS2. All the professional reviews I had read said that Tourist Trophy (TT) was good, but way too hard, so I never tried it. I'm not a particularly skilled PS2 player, so the "hard" label put me off.

After reading a few reviews here that said it wasn't so difficult, for a racing game, I decided to give it a try and am I ever glad I did! The controls aren't nearly as hard as implied. If you have even a little speed you can lean way over without falling and braking in turns isn't always going to cause you to crash. Like any other racing game, the key is to be smooth, which comes with experience.

Unlike Gran Tourismo 4 (GT4), where I lack a majority of the upper level licenses, I've cruised through three of the four license levels in short order and am winning bikes by racing and by Challenge.

Those familiar with GT4 will recognize the same basic menu design and the same high quality of bike presentation and race tracks. Many of the tracks are the same as on GT4, which helps veterans of that game.

There are over 90 bikes, ranging from Scooters to 1100cc Cruisers to 125cc 2-stroke racers to the custom Superbike racers. The oldest bikes are from the 70s and there are some noticable holes in the catalog, but it is only 90 bikes. I'd like to see the next version expand to include more historic bikes, like how GT4 improved over GT3.

Like GT4 you must complete license tests, which are like interactive tutorials. The first two license classes will show the best line on the track, with blue where you should accelerate, red where you should brake, and white where you should idle. It is a great way of learning how to negotiate the various turns and learning what to look for in the best racing lines.

Ironically, the most difficult of the license tests is the third one in the novice class, where you must ride a scooter around a perfect circle within a specific time, without straying outside and hitting any of the cones. I couldn't have passed this one without the advice given in the Prima Strategy guide, which for those few license tips alone is worth the price.

The strategy guide also shows all the bikes you win for various races or licenses, as well as gives the basic bike stats and serves as a nice guide to see what your opposition is capable of when lining up for a race.

For the third and fourth license levels, you are on your own as far as figuring the best lines. The fourth license level is a timed lap on various tracks with various bikes, so you'll get used to some of the basic tracks by completing this level.

Like GT4, you earn bikes by winning races or race series. If you get gold in a license test, you will also win a bike. The other way to get bikes is in Challenges. With these, you look in the catalog for a bike you want and select it.

To win the bike you must race it against another bike, which is in the lead. You must pass it and lead for 10 seconds or must cross the finish line first. This is easier on some bikes than others even within the same class, because the opponent varies from bike to bike.

For example, to win a street racer in the 1000cc class you have 4 major bikes worth getting, the Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki. To win the Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha, you must race one of these four bikes. But to win the Suzuki, you go up against the Ducati, which is 20+ hp less and about 10 kg more, and thus is easier to beat.

Unlike GT4. there is no money and the "add-ons" are limited to exhaust upgrades, which come with the bike. You can make a few mods to the suspension, gearing and braking, but the options are much more limited than in GT4. This is a good thing though, as it is way too easy to get lost in GT4 and not so here in TT.

This is another area where the Prima guide comes in handy, as it has 7 pages of sound advice on the various tuning options, which you should mess with and how, and which you should leave alone. Another selling point for the guide are the track maps, which show typical slowest speeds on selected corners. The Prima Guide is a "must have" for this game, IMO.

Like GT4, there are a number of different race classes, which allow you to use a majority of the bikes you will collect from racing wins. There are classes based on engine size, engine type, the year the bike was released, and for specific models. There are a total of 23 racing series/classes, with 3-7 races each.

TT supports replays and "photos" similar to how GT4 handles them. The game supports the use of a USB flash drive plugged into one of the PS2's USB ports and can store the jpgs output by the photo session, as well as the replays, which can be quite large. The game also supports printing of "photos" directly to USB photo printer.

Photos can be generated automatically from the replay menu. The game scans the replay and makes a series of photos as it finds things worth keeping. Some are good, some are not so good. You can save individual ones to the memory card or a USB flash drive. When saved to a flash drive, they are saved as jpgs, which can be read by your PC (not tested yet as I lack a flash drive).

Overall, I find the game easier to approach and play than GT4, which was easy enough to become a best seller. It looks and feels real enough, without being impossibly hard. Once you learn the basics and get used to it, you will find yourself winning bikes and races and getting faster and faster as you learn the tracks.

My wish is that Polyphony Digital will do for dirt bike racing what they've done for auto racing and now for motorcycle road racing.

If you are at all into motorcycle road racing and have a PS2, get this game and the Prima Strategy guide. You won't be sorry!

Best Motorcycle Sim out there

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

the folks behind Gran Tourismo really got the motorcycle genre right in this one. It's a challenging trip through lots of modern and a few classic bikes from all the major japanese manufacturers and a few european ones. some fairly significant models seem to be missing, but there are some fascinating choices for what they did include. great graphics, great play engine, good 2-player mode, lots of good tracks.

Well done

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: May 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Looking for an arcade motorcycle racing experience? Well, you'd better look elsewhere, because Tourist Trophy is for racing simulation fans only. For starters, Tourist Trophy is from the makers of Gran Turismo, so that should tell you what you're in for here. The learning curve is very steep as you have a plethora of bikes and tracks to choose from, all of which are difficult to get a hold of to say the least. The physics are the most realistic you'll see in a motorcycle racing game, and you'll be crashing plenty until you get the hand of it. For a PS2 game the graphics are surprisingly sharp, some of the best to be seen in a racing game on the platform. That said, Tourist Trophy is not a game for racing novices. For fans of Gran Turismo, Tourist Trophy should prove to be a worthy distraction, but if you're speed in racing games is limited to Need for Speed games, then this is definitely not for you.

A great game with one drawback.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 21, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Being right-handed, I wish the option to steer with the right analog stick and throttle/brake with the left analog stick was available. Alas, it's not. Yes, I'm well aware the throttle is on the right in the real world. Even so, I'd gladly trade a more realistic controller layout for greater steering precision.

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