Racing Hard

Unlock the secrets of Gran Turismo 2's 'Racing Hard' section. Learn about game modes, car and track counts, controller support, and development insights for this iconic PlayStation racing title.

Gran Turismo 2 is a racing game for the original PlayStation, developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999. It features two modes: Arcade and Simulation. In Simulation mode, players must earn licenses, purchase cars, and win trophies to unlock new courses. The game boasts approximately 620 cars and 27 race tracks. It was the first Gran Turismo game to support DualShock vibration and also supported the NeGcon controller, making it compatible with many third-party steering wheel controllers.

The game includes both featured circuits and race cars. Development aimed to improve upon the original Gran Turismo, with high expectations from Sony Computer Entertainment America. Early versions had glitches, which Sony addressed by offering replacements. A notable partnership with Seiko Corporation provided timing expertise and branding within the game. Despite some initial issues, Gran Turismo 2 was critically acclaimed, selling millions of copies worldwide and becoming a Sony Greatest Hits title.

The game features rally racing on dirt tracks, such as variations of Pikes Peak. It is one of the few games in the series to use a two-disc format. Unlike other entries, license tests in Gran Turismo 2 are often performed on specifically designed tracks rather than sections of actual race tracks.