Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport have long been the titles held synonymous with realistic racing. Their supremecy is under threat now, though, as this contender from Atari swerves in to steal pole position from right under their noses. Sporting almost 150 unique cars, over thirty tracks and the most authentic and challenging racing action money can buy, GTR2 is set to become the driving buffs game of choice - and with good reason. It takes real skill to win the gold here, each race demanding every ounce of attention, with the slightest mis-steer likely to see you kissing that podium place goodbye. It's challenging to say the least, but with so many options to customise the driving experience exactly how you like it, all players will be able to find a set-up that works well for them.
GTA 2 looks also the business, boasting gloriously rendered automobiles whose gleaming bodywork only suffers as a result of the game's realistic damage model - the effects of which will keep you glued to the racing line or else bound for an early pit stop. On the down side, GTR2 is extremely hardware-intensive and a beast for the average PC to deal with; additionally, much of what the developers have achieved with the handling here is lost when using the keyboard or a simple gamepad. With the right set-up, a little patience and a good wheel, though, youll struggle to find a more accurate and rewarding racer out there.