Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is a racing game, the first in the Gran Turismo series to be released for the PlayStation 2. Gran Turismo 2000 was the working name used when demonstrated at E3 2000/2001.

Gameplay
The Gran Turismo Mode has a reorganized layout, with a more structured and progressive arrangement of races and challenges. Races vary from short beginner events to multi-hour endurance races and also rallying events against an opponent. In addition, the car shops are now organized by country and then by manufacturer, which some find to be more intuitive than the East/West City method used in its predecessor. On the downside, far fewer vehicles are available in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (just over 150 in total) than Gran Turismo 2 (around 650). This is attributed largely to the work needed for the more detailed graphics, providing detailed statistics for all the cars and the game's release being early in the PlayStation 2's lifespan.

Another new feature is the ability to win Formula 1 cars (labeled as the Polyphony 001 and 002 as opposed to being named after actual F1 car manufacturers) from endurance races. As expected, they perform significantly better than the other vehicles featured in the game. The only liability of the two is that they wear out the tires in a matter of laps. Players cannot buy harder tire compounds to fit on them.

The basic aim of the game (like Gran Turismo and Gran Turismo 2), is to win all the provided races, championships, complete license tests and achieve 100% game completion. Every 25% of the game completed results in the player being awarded a car as a special prize.

Among the changes were the omission of the ability to "race modify" or add down force to production cars, removal of suspension damage and also re-absent of torque limits to races.

The developers collaborated with computer and game peripheral maker Logitech for the game, which resulted in the GT Force steering wheel, which featured force feedback and was highly fitted to the game.

Reception and Sales
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is considered a commercial success for Sony in Japan, Europe, and North America. The game is highly praised by game reviewers and players as one of the finest racing games ever made IGN awarded it a 9.8 and gamespot awarded it a 9.4, also receiving a platinum award from Electronic Gaming Monthly.Gran Turismo 3 has a 94% on Gamerankings as of September 6, 2008.And frequently appears on 'top 100 lists'. (like IGN's Top 100).

As of April 30, 2008, the game has shipped 1.89 million copies in Japan, 7.14 million in North America, 5.85 million in Europe, and 10,000 in Southeast Asia for a total of 14.89 million copies. It is a part of the PlayStation 2's Greatest Hits.