Gran Turismo HD Concept - Launch date and details

GT HD will be available as a free download for the PS3 system and will be made available on December 24th. It's essentially just GT4 with totally revamped graphics for the PS3 console, aka, 1080p visuals. Interestingly enough, it will be available for the North American market, unlike the original GT Concept titles from years back which were only available in Europe and Japan.

According to Sony and Kazunori Yamauchi, this title is intended to be a glimpse into the future of the Gran Turismo series.

Players will have access to the Eiger Nordwand course in forward and reverse which will be playable as a time trial. Meeting certain goals will unlock the first 10 cars of the game and players will get to unlock them again with some performance tuning. The game will also include the drift mode that was initially planned for Gran Turismo 4 but nixed on the final release. Drift Trial mode will score players based on drift angles, racing lines, and speed for each of the evaluation zones on the course. The point total for all the zones will go towards the player's rankings.

Players will be able to use the Playstation Network to upload lap times and view rankings based on car and mode as well as share replays. Sadly, online play will not be available on this title.

Sony has also provided a list of the available cars in game. These will be available stock and tuned.

• 1995 Suzuki Cappucino
• 1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster
• 2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
• 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
• 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
• 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
• 2005 Lotus Elise 111R
• 1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
• 1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
• 2006 Ferrari 599

Sadly, it seems that GT HD Concept is going to be nothing more than a tech demo showing off the visual prowess of the PS3 console. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot on the plate here, and this is probably just meant to hold off the crowds until GT5 is officially released. No word yet on the release of GT5, but considering the delays to GT4, I'd expect it to launch no sooner than the end of 2007 - if even that soon. Kaz is a perfectionist when it comes to the GT titles, and if GT4 is any indication, he will delay it as much as possible in order to release the best racing sim he can.

Besides that, I'm not particularly looking forward to GT HD Concept as it just doesn't have much to offer in terms of gameplay and replay value. I'm sure the lucky few hardcore GT fans that actually have a PS3 will be excited, but for everyone else... you probably won't be missing a whole lot. I'd say stick with your PS2, some component cables, and play GT4 in 1080i.

Since I am sitting here talking about Gran Turismo, I may as well forward you on to GTPlanet.net - the largest online community dedicated to the Gran Turismo franchise.