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| Grand Prix Challenge | 
 enlarge | List Price: $14.99
Buy New: $8.52
You Save: $6.47 (43%)
Buy Used from $8.52
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 16 reviews)
Sales Rank: 12557
Category: Video Games
Publisher: Atari Inc.
Studio: Atari Inc.
Brand: Sony
Label: Atari Inc.
Platform: Playstation2
ESRB: Everyone
Media: Video Game
Autographed: 0
Memorabilia: 0
Batteries Included: 0
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 100730
UPC: 742725222557
EAN: 0742725222557
ASIN: B000083GIP
Release Date: July 25, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
MODEL- 22255 VENDOR- ATARI FEATURES- Grand Prix Challenge Enter a universe born of speed, power and excitement! Grand Prix Challenge offers 5 addictive game modes that will keep you coming back for more, from championship mode where you can live all the thrill of a full championship season to frenzy multiplayer races up to 4 players in split screen. Formula One gaming has never been so much fun. * 5 addictive game modes * 22 cars to select from and 17 unique tracks * Interactive pit stops * 3 different levels of handling * 4 different levels of artificial intelligence * Multiplayer races up to 4 players in split screen ESRB Rating : E for Everyone Genre/Category : Racing System : Playstation 2 Number of Players : 1~4 Compatible Peripherals: MANUFACTURER WARRANTY:andnbsp;andnbsp;90 DAYS
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 Grand Prix February 16, 2008
This is a very Good game. It is a great simulation style play. It captures just what one would expect in a Grand Prix game . One i looked for , for along time . Its exciting and it sounds great. The race is just that a race...its competitive and very realistic style. Its a must have for a Grand Prix style racer ethusaist .
 Balanced And Fun - Best Bet For Now April 7, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've been a fan of F1 sims for a long time. I started with Geoff Crammond's World Circuit in 1993 and have played every sim that's come along since for both the PC and the Sony PlayStation. Some have come close to perfection, many have failed miserably. Grand Prix 3 was my most recent sim, and it certainly had its drawbacks. A locked frame rate hampered any sense of speed and a dated graphics engine made the game look poor - despite the great realism and good AI.
Grand Prix 4 was widely hailed as the ultimate successor to the F1 sim crown, but the game is so difficult to come by in the States and the rampant price gouging by used sellers on Amazon will leave you to pony up $90 for a five year old game that retailed for $49.99 back in 2002.
And unless you've got a PS3, there's not really many other options for good F1 gaming. The "Formula One" series of titles for the PS2 have only been released in Europe in recent years and EA's horrible line of F1 games has come to an end. Thankfully we have Grand Prix Challenge. It presents a great balance of fun, realistic game play, good physics, a forgiving damage model, and an amazing sense of speed. You'll see a full grid of 22 cars blast off the line, tire smoke and all, at a ripping 60 frames per second. The feeling of speed is enough to make you tense and your palms sweat as you fling your 800+ hp machine around the track.
Let me be clear though: Grand Prix Challenge is not an ultra realistic hardcore simulation - but it's not too far off from being one either. While it does't have the intricate set up system from the Grand Prix sims - this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Set up is sufficient to change what you need to get the most out of the car and get back out on the track. The physics model is realistic enough to be convincing and give you the feel of driving an F1 machine. It's not overly touchy and the added ability to adjust your level of traction control over the course of a lap is an added bonus. The main point here is that it feels right - and it's getting the feeling of driving an incredibly nimble and powerful car that the game has in spades.
The AI and damage model aren't perfect, but they are more than just the sum of their parts. The AI is challenging, especially on the Hard level - you'll be hard pressed to keep the likes of Schumacher behind you in anything less than the sister F2002. They will charge down the inside if they feel they have an opening, and will certainly push to outbreak you into a corner. They don't mind banging wheels with you either, but it's not the abhorrent bashing fest seen in EA's line of F1 titles. The damage model is more than forgiving and it will take the most brainless of moves to destroy your ride. Bumping on the track will accumulate minimal damage over the course of a stint - all of which is repaired during stops. Neither is completely perfect, but neither really detracts from the game either. They balance each other out and make for an incredibly satisfying and intense racing experience.
The graphics are simply gorgeous, even for a PS2 title. They are easily on par with Gran Turismo 3, which came out around the same time. Tracks are beautifully detailed, realistically modeled, and shine with great extras - from the yachts at Monaco, to the smoke bombs in the middle of the stands at Monza, to waving flags, flashing cameras, and the cheers and air horns from the thousands of fans gathered to watch you race. Bang wheels with an opponent as you blast by a grandstand and you'll hear the crowd roar to life with excitement. The rain graphics are also very well done, and the added lightning flashes and thunder make a wet race a harrowing experience. The graphics and added details like those I've listed really add to the feeling of being there.
Lastly, the pit stops are a nice added feature. There is a quick minigame you can opt for while cruising down the pit entrance. If you select it, you'll have a quick timing game - similar to the swing meter in the Tiger Woods' golf games. Nail the timing and you'll get an extra fast stop by putting extra pressure on your pit crew to perform. Miss, and you'll lose valuable time; especially with Michael pushing that amazing F2002 to its limits to catch you.
What are the drawbacks? Well the damage model is a tad too easy. The AI is a little overaggressive - but as I said they still cancel each other out and never make for a frustrating experience. I wish the wet weather racing was a bit more challenging - I didn't feel too strong of a shift from dry grip to the feeling that I was hydroplaning in the wet. There are flags, but the AI doesn't seem to cause too many accidents on their own. There is also the omission of mechanical failures and the safety car. Also the music is definitely on the arcade side - reminiscent of what you would hear at your local Dave and Busters. It's not bad - but you're probably going to want to mute it while you listen to those engines scream - which is something else they also got nearly dead on. In-car sounds are fantastic, and track side sounds are nearly spot on, the engines just a little off sounding when they drive by. Ultimately the game rises above it's faults - while each of these technical issues would seem bothersome, they never really become noticeable while playing.
So there you go. Is Grand Prix Challenge the end all be all of F1 sims? No. Is it an immensely fun, playable, and extremely well balanced F1 game that replicates the feeling of competing against the worlds best drivers on fantastic circuits, in blazingly fast machines, and all while giving you a sense of speed so strong that it will make your head spin? Yes. If you have even a passing interest in F1, or, like me, you feel the disappointment in the overpriced gouging of Grand Prix 4 and long for something better, buy Grand Prix Challenge. It isn't completely perfect, but since when has a lasting relationship not been about compromise?
The best F1 game. February 15, 2005
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is different than the EA sports Version because the handling is quite a challenge. So, good luck when you play.
BAD July 7, 2004
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
This game may have very good different abilities of how you can race. But, the graphics are terrible. Atari has made some great games in the past so when I went to Toysrus to get a game I chose this one because it was the newest edition and I thought that it would be the best yet. Unfortunently, I ended up playing it once and never played again. Since I have a F1 game from 2000 made by EA Sports which is excellent, I wanted to update it a little anyway. Now I learned my lesson that if I buy a sports/racing game it would be EA Sports for me. Grand Prix Challenge is TERRIBLE.
The best F1 for Playstation2 March 18, 2004
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is quite simply the best F1 game for the PS2 that is sold in America. It's not perfect, but it is as close to perfect as any I've played on ps2 (I've played them all). In fact, Gran Tourismo 3 is perhaps the only racing game made for the PS2 that is better than Grand Prix Challenge. And it's a surprising close call between the two. If you love F1, it deserves your attention!
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