Any suggestions for PC video racing games that have a good physics engine, good tracks, gameplay and maybe even a realistic S2k to choose? Also, what's a good wheel/pedal rig to buy? With the winter setting in and a recent layoff, my thrills will need to be cheap for a while. TIA.

 

As of now, I don't think any game is on par with Gran Turismo 3. I don't even pay attention to other racing games. You can get the GT Force wheel (or whatever it's called), which has a feedback function if you really want a steering wheel.

 

Thx, but it appears that GT3 is PS2-only (unless I'm missing something on the site). I thought it was very cool that the company's head designer/president drives an S2k and an Evo V. The screenshots and videos are awesome. I just may have to get a PS2.

 

gt3 is worth the price of a ps2 alone. i do things with my "virtual s2k" that i won't dare do and can't afford to do with my real one. my virtual one has 600 plus horsepower and can break the tires loose in all six gears! plus if i crash there is no damage! it isn't the same as the real thing though!

 

GT3 is indeed PS2 only. GT3 may be worth the price of a PS2 alone (was for me!). The XBOX has countered with SegaGT 2002, which is far superior to its DC predecessor. And it too has the S2000 (as well as an interesting mix of cars spanning the 70's to contemporary). But I still prefer GT3.

GT2 (PSX game only), which has the S2000, can be played on the PC with the emulator ePSXe. But not sure if anyone has managed to get it working well with wheels. Search rec.autos.simulators for threads on this. GT2 can also be played on the Dreamcast with the emulator "Bleemcast" loaded (both out of production).

I don't think I've heard of any PC game that has the S2K. NFS Porsche Unleashed was a fun arcade-to-sim game. Sportscar GT had a good set of tracks and cars, many user-created. It's getting a little long in the tooth. Some of the same crowd appears to have since taken to modifying EA's F1 2001 and F1 2002, adding GT cars to them. Both require a DX8 capable vid card. This might be your best bet. I think users also modified Nascar Heat. Again, search RAS.

Good luck!

 

The have a nice wallpaper of the S2k (Berlina, baby!) available. Is that an in-game screenshot? The lighting is defintely whacked considering the sun position and shadowing beneath the car. But other than that the realism is amazing.

 

sega gt2002 is good too. not as in dept as gt3/ but still worth the money for an xbox... n cars not available in gt3.

gt40 concept
elise exige
zero
rx8
350z

 

I have Sega GT 2002 as well for the xbox and I'm not too fond of the AI. Some of the slowest cars are just as fast as my 700+hp GT-40 Concept car in the game. It's not at all realistic but it's a cool game to some extent. Good selection of cars and mods but it's definitely not a GT3 killer.

 

Noone mentioned GPL? It has quite a cult following, even though it is a little outdated nowadays:

http://www.racesimcentral.com/guides/gpl/b.../beginner.shtml

I use the Logitech Formula Force wheel and it works great.

 

Oh yeah, this is also a great race sim:

http://www.liveforspeed.net/