Gran Turismo 5

The latest Gran Turismo 5, to feature Ferrari and looking like it won’t be released until mid to late 2008. However, the Gran Turismo Prologue, a full demo version is scheduled for late 2007 or early 2008 depending on where you are.

This is a long wait and I couldn't wait any longer. So I purchased a Playstation 3 and then proceeded to work out how to get the latest demo versions of Prologue. Yes, a demo of the prerelease demo version!

For anyone who finds this post, to download the Japanese Gran Turismo demo, as featured at the Tokyo Auto Show you need to do the following on your Playstation 3:

• Create a new user (far left option)
• Sign up to the Playstation Network, selecting Japan as your location
• Enter all your details, following the Japanese forms - search the web there are quite a few walkthroughs
• Download the Gran Turismo demo from the Demo Games section, from memory its right at the end. Reportedly it will only be available until November 11 so act fast!
• Once you start the game, because its past the release date, the new GTR, Evo and WRX will be automatically unveiled and available in the game. However, the Proto and Black Mask versions will not be available.
  

The demonstration version on the Australian site is pretty poor, featuring one fairly tedious mountain track with fairly average cars. The Japanese demo features the new R35 GTR, the new WRX, new Evo, new Lexus IS-F, BMW and others around Fuji Speedway - you can even race against the Ferrari F430. Much better track and much better cars and gives you a better feel for the changes in physics and vehicles.

If you are practiced with Gran Tusimo 4, to the point of finishing or almost finishing the game, it will feel very familiar. To be honest, even though it has the best feel of any console racer, a little disappointing that it is so similar. But this is only a demo, so we will wait and see!