Credit to Sony for actually putting together a reasonably good PSP bundle. Starting on October 1, for $199, you can buy a bundle that includes the PSP-3000 (not the PSP Go, mind you), a copy of Gran Turismo PSP, a voucher to download a Corvette ZR1 in an exclusive-to-this-bundle color, a 2GB memory stick, a PSN movie downloadable voucher (movie hasn’t been announced yet), and a Sony MusicPass that’s worth 10 downloadable songs. Not too shabby.

Of course, the bundle could have been so much better. Want to ensure that the PSP Go sells really well? Throw a copy of Gran Turismo PSP on there (a voucher, more specifically), along with an exclusive car color. Or, go one step better, how about an exclusive car? It doesn’t even have to be a real car, just make the SONY CAR that’s a 10/10 in every parameter (top speed, acceleration, brakes, etc).

Granted, I don’t have Sony’s numbers in front of me, and I’m sure the bean counters wouldn’t want to give too much away.

And if I may, while we’re on the subject of racing games, may I point you in the direction of GRID? It’s made by Codemasters, the same people behind the DIRT series, and it’s fantastic. (I prefer GRID to DIRT just because I’m not too keen on rally racing.) But man alive, the game is great. Probably the best racing game I’ve played since I first played Gran Turismo 1. (I remember reading the gushing IGN review thinking to myself, “Dear Lord I need this game.”) Codemasters now has the F1 license, too, so be sure to look for the first F1 game in years next year. Recreate all the drama from this season, including: Schumacher replacing, and then not replacing, Felipe Massa; Fernando Alonso’s continued flirting with Ferrari; and the death and re-birth (kinda) of Honda.

Is anyone planning on getting GT for the PSP when it comes out in October?

We’re an open-minded bunch at the Gear and we really wish folks would throw more events like Downshift Sessions’s 10th Anniversary party for Gran Turismo that celebrates the marriage between automotive design, art, gaming and music. Because gadgets aren’t drab little things anymore and we like that added touch of art to go with our gear. I do, at least.

Last week at the Classic Car Club in Manhattan, Staple Design threw their first annual Downshift Session with Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi in attendance. Not very many games can change the landscape of the industry as a whole, but Polyphony Digital was able to do just that with the GT series for Sony’s PlayStation and not just from a gaming standpoint. Musicians would scramble to get their tracks on the latest version and Nissan employed the designers to make the interior of the new Skyline kick as much ass in person as it does in the game, for example.

Artist HAZE was also on-hand to show off his one-of-a-kind hand-painted Lotus Exige that’s up for auction with proceeds to benefit Studio in a School. Kid Sister performed (yeah, I don’t know who that is either). And Jeff Staple himself chronicled the hit game with an array of artwork inspired by each version.

Congrats, Gran Turismo, and we look forward to another decade of your badass series.

He says they’re thinking mainly of “the Chinese market,” which is apparently mostly PCs. I say this is good news, though I’ve never been too much of a fan of the series (if I’m honest, it’s too hard). It’ll look better, and since it’s child’s play to hook up one of many PC or console controllers and accessories, it might even control better.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue line-up News [Eurogamer]

1. Lexus IS F ‘07
2. Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nur ‘02
3. Nissan Fairlady Z Version S ‘07
4. Nissan Skyline Sedan 350GT Type SP ‘06
5. Nissan Skyline Coupe Concept ‘07
6. Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type SP ‘07
7. Nissan Skyline Coupe (V36) Tuned Car
8. Nissan GT-R Proto ‘05
9. Nissan GT-R ‘07
10. Honda Integra TYPE R ‘04
11. Honda NSX Type R ‘02
12. Acura NSX ‘91
13. Mazda Atenza Sport (2007 Tokyo Motor Show reference exhibit)
14. Mazda RX-8 Type S ‘03
15. Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD)
16. Mazda RX-7 (FD) Special Tuned Car
17. Subaru Impreza WRX STI (18inch BBS Wheel Option) ‘07
18. Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI spec C Type RA ‘05
19. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR ‘05
20. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package ‘07
21. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR Tuned Car
22. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Tuned Car
23. Suzuki Cappuccino ‘95
24. Suzuki Swift Sport ‘07
25. Suzuki Cervo SR ‘07
26. Suzuki Cappuccino Tuned Car
27. Suzuki Swift Sport Tuned Car
28. Daihatsu Copen Active Top ‘02
29. Daihatsu OFC-1 ‘07
30. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ‘06
31. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) Tuned Car
32. Dodge Viper GTS ‘02
33. Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe ‘06
34. Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Tuned Car
35. Ford Mustang V8 GT Coupe Premium ‘07
36. Ford GT ‘05
37. Ford Focus ST ‘06
38. Ford GT Tuned Car
39. Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic ‘07
40. Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro ‘07
41. BMW Z4 ‘03
42. BMW 135i Coupe ‘07
43. BMW M3 Coupe ‘07
44. BMW 135tii ‘08
45. Mini Cooper-S ‘06
46. Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG ‘02
47. Volkswagen Golf GTI ‘01
48. Volkswagen Golf V GTI ‘05
49. Alfa Romeo 147 TI 2.0 TWIN SPARK ‘06
50. Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 JTS Q4 ‘06
51. Ferrari 599 ‘06
52. Ferrari F430 ‘06
53. Ferrari 512BB ‘76
54. Ferrari F40 ‘92
55. Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione ‘91
56. Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0VTS ‘06
57. Renault Clio Renault Sport V6 24V ‘00
58. Renault Clio Sport V6 24V Tuned Car
59. Aston Martin DB9 Coupe ‘06
60. Jaguar XK Coupe ‘06
61. Lotus Elise 111R ‘04
62. Lotus Elise ‘96
63. Lotus Elise 111R Tuned Car
64. Lotus Elise Tuned Car
65. TVR Tuscan Speed 6 ‘00
66. TVR Tamora ‘02
67. Art Morrison Corvette ‘60
68. Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS
69. Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo
70. Mine’s BNR34 Skyline GT-R N1 base ‘06
71. Blitz Dunlop ER34 ‘07

Just in time (not really) for the release of the latest iteration in the Gran Turismo franchise, Logitech has announced the Driving Force GT racing wheel, which appears to be the most advanced wheel ever created. It features the usual force feedback, but it’s said to be more powerful this time and it has a 24-position real-time adjustment dial so you can tweak your brake bias, traction control and damper settings all on-the-fly.

Logitech’s newest force feedback wheel simulates understeer, oversteer, and traction loss with frightening accuracy. While the full-size gas and brake pedals deliver precise throttle and brake response, racers can use either the sequential stick shift or the wheel-mounted paddles to race through gears. The wheel also features a large 27.9 cm (11-inch) wheel with rubber-overmould rim, providing exceptional comfort and control.

The Logitech Driving Force GT turns 900 degrees lock-to-lock allowing drivers to navigate hairpin turns with greater accuracy. And with anti-backlash gearing, there is no slack in the steering response, making any race a smooth, realistic experience. In the centre of the 27.9 cm (11-inch) wheel, the Driving Force GT features an illuminated horn button with the official Gran Turismo logo. Using the authentic sounds of the car being driven, racers can quickly alert other cars when they are approaching fast. Or when playing online, people can simply use the horn to taunt other players as they speed by.

The Logitech Driving Force GT wheel is engineered for use with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on PS3, which will be available on Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) and as a download on the PLAYSTATION®Network in North America on April 17 and in Europe on March 28. The Logitech Driving Force GT wheel is also compatible with Gran Turismo™3 and Gran Turismo™4 on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

The official wheel of Gran Turismo is expected to ship in May for $150. Don’t you think this should be made available before or on the day the game hits the masses?

Press Release

Skateboard Pete[r Ha] (yes, a delicious take-off of Pharrell’s nickname) is notorious for his hatred of recent TV adverts, but I don’t see how he could hate this one for Gran Turismo 5. It’s pretty straight forward: family walks into an electronics store, kids want TV and the game which the father thought was real life footage. He then freaks out because it’s so realistic.

See Sony, keep it simple. It’s the KISS principle.

Sony Gets It Right With This Gran Turismo 5 Spot [Kotaku]