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Simplicity, excellence, and challenge

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: October 22, 2000
Author: Amazon User

There is a purity to this game that has yet to be captured by any other racing title I've played. While some may want 300+ cars to choose from and an insane sense of speed (ie, Tokyo Extreme2 says you're going 150 mph, yet feels more like 400), F355 is restraint and perfection at it finest.

There's plenty to jigger with when it comes to customizing your car, don't get me wrong, but this racer has eliminated excess or anything that isn't necessary which is an amazing achievement these days. Yu Suzuki is a master! The game's simplicity is strangely compelling.

Graphics, physics, control, challenge, are all top notch. The only drawbacks I've found are the inability to save along the way during a world championship quest (who wants to keep their noisy DC humming for 3 days straight?), the music sucks bigtime (that could have been eliminated!) and the instant replay is regrettable at every level.

Other than that, F355 is an amazing feat. The way the environments move past you is simply astonishing. The billboards scrolling by at a silky 60 fps will make your eyes water.

If you want a sophisticated sim and a racing title that's stripped down to the bare, perfected essence, get out your plastic and add this to your shopping cart now! Go for the next day delivery! It'll be worth it!!!

The Best Racing Sim By Far!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: October 26, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is by far the best driving game on the market. That being said, it is definitely not for everyone. I am a huge car fan, Ferrari in particular. I am also a huge racing fan. So the amazingly realistic way that the car handles and the incredible accuracy of the tracks is wonderful, but if you are not looking for a real racing simulation this probably isnt the game that you want. There are a couple of things that the game does not have that would probably help alot of people out though, such as only one driving view (in car with a little of the steering wheel on the screen), this really didn't effect me though because the in car view always ends up being the one that I use, but if you like the outside of the car view you are out of luck. But this game is all about the racing and the racing is great. Unlike games like Sega GT and Gran Turismo you can not fire up the game for the first time and start winning it takes a little work, but it is much more rewarding when you do finally win a few races. Another strong point of the game is that you cannot build an unbeatable car, so you always have the chance to get beat by the computer controlled cars, which have the best AI that I have ever found in any racing game, they are not completely unbeatable and they actually make realistic mistakes, giving you opportunity to win, but if you blow a turn they will definitely pass you, you cant pull a Gran Turismo and start cutting them off and have them not get by you. Overall if you like real spec. racing this is the game for you. If you want something less realistic Go for Sega Gt or one of the Gran Turismos (I never thought I would be saying that something is more realistic than Sega Gt or Gran Turismo!) But if you do like real racing and the car is not an issue this game can not be beat.

greatest racing game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: October 01, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Having a great interest in cars ive ended up playing tons of of driving games on all platformes. The major flaw with most driving games is usually bad physics, cars with terrible cornering and braking. There are 3 driving modes in the game novice.intermediate and race. Novice teaches you how to corner,shift etc. wich is actually very hard due to the fact that your driving a highly strung race car on some of the most challanging tracks on earth.

the graphics in this game are absolutely stunning never has a driving game come close to the realism in f355, from the car to the track its perfect. The engine sounds are straight out of the acctual car and vary depending on the rpm. It takes about an hour to master this game under novice mode and be able to get around the course without spinning out.finalyy a driving game based on skill and not picking the fastest car. If theres one drawback to this game its the music, bad eighties rock by the musicians at sega. But luckily the music can easily be turned off. So finally if youre looking for an easy arcade racer get SF rush but if want a challanging sim get f355.

The Greatest Racing Simulation Ever Made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: October 20, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Wow.

I've been thinking for days about what words can describe how perfect this game is. Or should I say "simulation." F355 Challenge is the most realistic racing simulation ever created, on any system. I cannot emphasize that enough. Real-life Ferrari race car drivers actually use this game to practice during the off-season! Still, the game is certainly fun, fun, fun.

The graphics are unbelievable, and not just because they are detailed and pretty. The proportions and the ways the camera moves are so accurate that I actually had to look away from the screen to remind myself that I was playing a game! There are so many little details - the tailpipes flash when you shift gears, the tire smoke is dead-on, the tracks are perfect reproductions of their real-life equivalents. The sound is also great, and is sampled directly from the real cars.

You MUST play this game with a steering wheel (I recommend Mad Catz's). You will find the game much easier, more realistic, and more enjoyable. Beginners can pick up the game fairly easily, thanks to a wonderful training mode that paints a line on the track to follow, and a coach who instructs you when to shift and brake. Four different assist modes help you with everything from braking to stablity, and can be turned off as you get better.

Casual gamers beware - F355 Challenge is easy to learn, but hard to master. Be prepared to spend lots of time learning each track and racing it to perfection. F355 certainly concentrates on the race itself. There is only 1 car and no parts upgrades, so all the cars are evenly matched, and you must use actual skill to win a race. Plus, the AI is outstanding - the computer drivers will definitely challenge you to finish in the top 3 (let alone in 1st). Plus, they make bad turns and screw up in a believeable way. The eleven tracks are wonderful. But again, be prepared to spend hours practicing, driving each course over and over, before you start winning races. Once you do, you will certainly feel that you have earned it, and have learned some real driving skills.

One of the best racing sims out there

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 19, 2001
Author: Amazon User

F355 Challenge is truly amazing. Although it may not be able to compare to Gran Turismo, it comes very close.

Without any doubt, the graphics are exceptional, hands down.

The gameplay is also truly exceptional. The physics are as realistic as they can get.

The track selection is a very nice mix. From Long Beach, CA to Suzuka, Japan, each track ranging in difficulty.

F355 Challenge is not perfect, though. There are a few drawbacks. The AI is extremely difficult and could be frustrating to a novice. But those who can outwit the AI are well rewarded for their efforts.

Another drawback is that there's only one view which is an in-car camera with the top of the steering wheel and the driver's arms and hands viewable. The view isn't that bad, although it takes getting used to.

The only other drawback is that you can only race with one car. You can change the color of your Ferrari with a selection of different colors that are available. The car is still very nice.

Even with three drawbacks, F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa is still definitely worth buying, hands down.

Without any doubt, F355 Challenge is one of the best racing sims out there!

F355 Challenge

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is probobly one of the best racing games ever. You can toggle the effects and settings of your car, how big something is, how small something is ect. It has excelent graphics, cool effects when you do something wrong, like if you try to smash into the side of another car, and he slams the brakes, you'll go spinning out of control, like in real life. Oh yeah, and then there are the cones. On some coarses, there are cones, that, if you want, you can hit them. you may go into the dirt, but it is alwaysfun to watch them them fly.

A must have for racing fans

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 03, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you've played (and played and played) the arcade version of F355, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Many games don't make the jump too well from coin-op to console, but this does. A wheel adds a LOT to this game, but it is playable with the stick. One caveat: this game isn't Speed Devils. The cars react like real cars (brakes aren't like dropping an anchor, doesn't handle like an F1 car, etc) so a bit of driving skill is required to master it. (It might even be a good game for that 15yo about to get a license for that very reason!) I'd go on, but it's calling me from across the room...

great racing sim

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 17, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Like the previous reviewer said, if your looking for a easy racing game stick with the Rush, or Crazy Taxi. I never had the chance to play F355 in the arcade first hand so I'm going off of what experience I have with pervious games. The game is very realisitc, in sence of making a hair pin turn will require you to slow down to 35mph. Another thing about this game is the physics of the game feel more realistic, like hitting a wall from coming in too fast in a corner. Most games will just bounce you off the wall, while in F355 you will feel "stuck". Some might thing this is a bad thing, but it keep the people who just bounce down the track from winning without any skills.

Overall it's a very nice game, many beautiful tracks, including my favorite, Laguna Seca (need to unlock from start). The only bad things I can think of are, 1- limited cars, which isn't a bad thing just need to point out, and 2- no other view options. Since this porting is so close to the arcade any fan of sims or cars will have a great time playing this game.

Just remeber to practice the tracks a few times before racing aganist the computer cars!

Thank God for Ferraries!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

When a good programming team sets out a goal to set a precedence for a driving game, they should look at this game.
If you love driving games, and I know that you always wanted to drive a Ferrary F355, this is it.
I love the engine sound. Very realistic driving experience but not too harsh to make it impossible to drive.
You will know when one of your tires is skidding or missing contact from the asphalt.
Driving is all done on race tracks. Some are on oval circuits and some are on Grand Prix Circuits. Challenge yourself to unleash more tracks! I have MSR, Test Drive V-Rally, and Sega Rally2 besides this game.
It may very well be the best driving game on DC! Enuff Said!

Not much, but what's here is nearly perfect

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The premise is simple: one car, a set of 11 total tracks, cockpit view, few customization options. Other than the Ferrari license, this is a fairly weak premise on paper, especially compared to the sheer number of cars and types of racing available in Gran Turismo 2 and A Spec. What makes this game special is that though it offers little variety, what it does provide, it does extremely well.

This game is an attempt to be a simulator for the Ferrari F355. As such, the physics model is considerably more difficult (and more accurate) than what you will find in any other console racing game, the Gran Turismo series included.

All races feature heats of eight identically prepared F355 cars. Unlike GT or other games that allow you to enter a race with a car that gives you a competitive advantage over the computer, F355 forces you to beat the competition by outdriving them on equal terms. In the Gran Turismo series of games where the physics engines are a little forgiving, and chicanes may be jumped, other cars may be "leaned on" in the corners, or the median can be used to force your car to turn sharper than it normally would, you can run away from the computer competition even with identical cars. F355's physics engine is much, MUCH less forgiving, the computer cars all seem to have at least somewhat of an advantage accelerating, and the computer competition will occasionally block or bounce you. In short, like real racing, you'll be need to slowly close in on your competition over the course of a long race and then stay out of the dirt to maintain your lead.

Additionally, the courses, though small in total number, feature an excellent variety, ranging from superspeedways (Motegi and Atlanta Motor Speedway), power tracks (Monza), technical tracks (Suzuka, Laguna Seca, Nurburgring, and Sepang), and historically significant tracks (Monza, Laguna Seca, Long Beach, Suzuka, Nurburgring). All said, it's a surprisingly great and well thought out collection.

On the down side, this is easily the most demanding racing game I have played on a console, and unlike nearly every other console racing game, it offers few rewards early on. Expect to lose and lose often. Indeed, winning the short length races (2 to 3 laps) is nearly impossible to do without extremely aggressive and flawless driving AND a whole lot of luck. The mid length races are at least winnable. There is an excellent interactive driving tutorial system that shows the racing and braking lines for each track, but this only helps so much, and is only somewhat rewarding.

Additionally, the Dreamcast controller is simply not ideal for racing games. The throw of the joystick is too short and too tightly sprung to offer the type of precision that the analogue PS controllers do. As F355 is less forgiving than other racing games, the Dreamcast controller is a bit of a handicap. A second gripe is that the rumble-pack support isn't nearly as refined as the rest of the game. With Gran Turismo and Test Drive LeMans, you can get a feel for what your car is doing on the track through the controller's feedback. In F355, very little feedback is given (if any) when you gain or lose traction or brake too hard, again, making the game more difficult than necessary.

That said, if you are a bona-fide racing junkie, have the aptitude to conquer racing sims, and have the patience to do so, I have no hesitation in recommending this purchase. However, this game is not for everyone. It is brutally difficult, and frankly, offers few rewards or encouragement. It is, however, honest, pure, and nearly perfect at what it does.

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