DF Retro: Gran Turismo - A Driving Retrospective - Part 1: The PlayStation 1 Era

Originally released in Japan in 1997, Sony's Gran Turismo for PlayStation 1 revolutionised the driving game for console players. In this special DF Retro episode - split into two parts - John Linneman examines the series origins and its earliest incarnations across two PlayStation generations. In this first episode, it's the beginnings of the game and its first two series entries that form the focus, with the PlayStation 2 era coming up in the concluding part.

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:48 - Chapter 1 - The Birth of Sim Racing
00:08:57 - Chapter 2 - The Real Driving Simulator
00:21:40 - Chapter 3 - Of Mecha and Men
00:28:38 - Chapter 4 - The Perfect Sequel

[OriginalChrizum]

I generally enjoy most of DF's content, but in-depth videos like these are on a whole other level. Amazing production John, this is why I became a supporter. Such a great feeling to sit back and dive deep into a game like this. Major props!

[mancbiker]

I remember my friend owning a video game shop and he got the import of GT1. A few of us stood there saying “how can games ever look better than this….it looks like real life” 😂

[ChrisLT]

At the time, Gran Turismo was one of those games that made me say "this is real life, graphics can never get better than this."

Always good to see Omega Boost get some attention.

[jcsandrea]

During 44 minutes I felt like a 12 years old again 🥲 Thanks John, you and the DF team are aces!

[EposVox]

We don't deserve John. Amazing episode, as always. Thank you!!! Can't wait for the PS2 era.

[ZantetsukenGilgamesh]

People have no idea how awesome Gran Turismo 1 looked, especially driving at night. It's the first time I thought, goddamn...games are approaching realism. The game might look like crap on modern LCD's but CRT's put the game to justice like most PS1 games.

[mobbaddictchannel]

Crazy how futuristic Gran Turismo 3 looks when put next to the first episode. The PS2 era really was a revolution.

[alexmcbride]

As you said you can't cover everything released in this period, but I'd give special mention to some of the more sim-style racing games available on the PS1 such as TOCA Touring Cars and Colin McRae Rally from Codemasters, also the officially license F1 games from Psygnosis. These were brilliant games and often provided a much deeper driving experience than the more arcade racers at the time.

[NekoHibaCosplay]

I'm European and I discovered The Cardigans thanks to the intro of Gran Turismo 2, which was also the first GT game I ever played

What a combo

[lostsaves]

This is so good, thank you for showing a true love for video games.

[JuneCrashRadio]

I really feel like you guys are essential. I don't just learn about the games I'm learning about techniques and ways they used their eras to their advantage.

[eakray]

Gran Turismo 2 is simply amazing, the crazy amount of cars you can choose is unbelievable.

[alx]

I have basically zero interest in racing games but something about John's editing and the passionate way he speaks about games makes every DF Retro video worth watching. Seriously, this was such a great watch and can't wait for part two.

[CWC-JMHana]

Bought it on release date. Got me hooked on driving games for life.

[TylerMThomas]

Crushed it John. I loved those early Gran Turismos, and I’m not a car guy, just great games.

[SuicidleLemming]

This retro series is such a goldmine of nostalgia, phenominal writing, editing and history. DF goes above and byond with their work!. Also shoutout to Rage Racer !!

[manveerghuman]

Thanks guys for giving Gran Turismo some appreciation, especially with people's interests in other games today.

[HuGiv]

John can't thank you enough for your outstanding work.

[chanhjohnnguyen]

I saw this on patreon and I have to say, this is truly one you don’t want to miss

[JRobbbbb]

It’s amazing how’s game like that still holds up so well. Still looks really good all things considered