Sega GT 2002

Sega Fall 2002--For those of you wondering, yes, Sega GT 2002 plays better than the original Dreamcast game. Now that we've gotten our hands on it, we can really appreciate the cool, classic cars you can use and a couple of really keen features. For instance: Place in the top three on a race, and you can take a photo of your replay to hang in your virtual garage. The whole game is full of little touches like that.

Segas not really known for racing simulators. Sure, their arcade driving titles read like a greatest-hits list Sega Rally, Daytona USA, Outrun, etc. but their one real attempt at a GT-style game (Sega GT on the Dreamcast) wasnt really anything special. Especially in a genre where Gran Turismo 3 sets the standard.

But now that Segas a third-party publisher, why not give it another go, right? And for the record, Sega GT 2002 is playing very well. Wow got the handling just right. The cars feel as heavy or light as they should be, and theres no way youll see things like a Honda Civic out-powering a Dodge Viper GTS/R down the straights. As for track variety? They range from tight, European-style town courses to wide-open country roads and more modern urban circuits. You even get to drag race too...oh joy.

And theres a really neat Chronicle mode. In it, you get to race through six different eras, starting out against the boxy cars of the 70s and winding up against the latest supercars like the Ford GT40.

What really sets Sega GT apart, however, is how many super-cool options it has, many of which the collector or gearhead in each of us will be very happy about. Besides purely cosmetic things like decorating your garage (see bottom sidebar), gamers will have to worry about wear and tear on their suspension, engine and even tires (yes, youll actually have to buy a new set once in a while). On top of that, you get to tinker with your car while in your garage, or even set up a private sale of an older car (the advantage being you get to sell at a higher price than what that scheister down at the car dealership would offer you).