Racing fans have been waiting for the Gran Turismo franchise to roar on to a Next-Gen track for years and that time is nearly here with the upcoming release of Gran Turismo: Prologue.

Initially the title Gran Turismo HD was being batted around as perhaps a PS3 launch title, but that time and possibility came and went, eventually leaving fans to ponder the meaning of Gran Turismo Prologue and its inexpensive price--for a PS3 game--of .99. The question was will this be a real game? Well, we're still a few months out, but the details are rolling in and any doubts about that should be put to rest. Although of the marketing of the the game does seem designed to illustrate what player can expect from future releases in the franchise, it is also very much an experience in of itself. The details are rolling in now including features and a full list of available in-game vehicles. Check it out:

Features Announced to Date:

• The first ever Gran Turismo title with online racing: drive online against up to 16 other Gran Turismo aces.
• Race a total of 71 stunning cars.
• Race the Eiger Nordwand, Daytona International Speedway, the London City Track, Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring - then race them all in alternative layouts.
• All-new physics engine means true next-generation vehicle handling.
• All-new and improved opponent AI for a nail-biting race experience.
• Access to Gran Turismo TV, a world of great motoring TV programming online including the BBCs Top Gear.
• In-game museum featuring the history and heritage of the top car manufacturers.
• My Garage - a personalized homepage feature with calendar, clock and map & weather of major race circuits worldwide.
• Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tires, suspension and more.
• All in stunning High Definition at 1080p.

Additional Features for Europe (apologies to the rest of the world):

• Drift Mode – The player’s drifting technique is measured based on drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course.
• In Depth Car Tuning – Players have the ability to adjust the vehicle’s performance, including power, tyres, suspension and the ability for quick tuning whilst racing.
• Two-player Split Screen Racing – Allows players to race head-to-head offline.
• New Race Events – Online racing fans can join in on a new set of scheduled events and time trials.

Full Car List (71 cars):

• Lexus IS F '07
• Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nur '02
• Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07
• Nissan Skyline Sedan 350GT Type SP '06
• Nissan Skyline Coupe Concept '07
• Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type SP '07
• Nissan Skyline Coupe (V36) Tuned Car
• Nissan GT-R Proto '05
• Nissan GT-R '07
• Honda Integra TYPE R '04
• Honda NSX Type R '02
• Acura NSX '91
• Mazda Atenza Sport (2007 Tokyo Motor Show reference exhibit)
• Mazda RX-8 Type S '03
• Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD)
• Mazda RX-7 (FD) Special Tuned Car
• Subaru Impreza WRX STI (18inch BBS Wheel Option) '07
• Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI spec C Type RA '05
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR '05
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package '07
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR Tuned Car
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Tuned Car
• Suzuki Cappuccino '95
• Suzuki Swift Sport '07
• Suzuki Cervo SR '07
• Suzuki Cappuccino Tuned Car
• Suzuki Swift Sport Tuned Car
• Daihatsu Copen Active Top '02
• Daihatsu OFC-1 '07
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 '06
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) Tuned Car
• Dodge Viper GTS '02
• Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe '06
• Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Tuned Car
• Ford Mustang V8 GT Coupe Premium '07
• Ford GT '05
• Ford Focus ST '06
• Ford GT Tuned Car
• Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic '07
• Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro '07
• BMW Z4 '03
• BMW 135i Coupe '07
• BMW M3 Coupe '07
• BMW 135tii '08
• Mini Cooper-S '06
• Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG '02
• Volkswagen Golf GTI '01
• Volkswagen Golf V GTI '05
• Alfa Romeo 147 TI 2.0 TWIN SPARK '06
• Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 JTS Q4 '06
• Ferrari 599 '06
• Ferrari F430 '06
• Ferrari 512BB '76
• Ferrari F40 '92
• Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione '91
• Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0VTS '06
• Renault Clio Renault Sport V6 24V '00
• Clio Renault Sport V6 24V Tuned Car
• Aston Martin DB9 Coupe '06
• Jaguar XK Coupe '06
• Lotus Elise 111R '04
• Lotus Elise '96
• Lotus Elise 111R Tuned Car
• Lotus Elise Tuned Car
• TVR Tuscan Speed 6 '00
• TVR Tamora '02
• Art Morrison Corvette'60
• Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS
• Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo
• Mine's BNR34 Skyline GT-R N1 base '06
• Blitz Dunlop ER34 '07

One caveat is that it seems a little lame to me that players in European should get extra features not available elsewhere. Hopefully this is just an attempt to boost sales by pandering to the racing culture there and these features will make their way to everyone else eventually and before the next GT game hits the shelf. We'll see, but like I said, Prologue is looking pretty good, especially if this is just the beginning of what we can expect from the franchise as it joins the Next-Gen era of gaming.

--Hobson's Choice

Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

The LEGO video games, beginning with the LEGO Star Wars games have been great, but I’ve secretly worried that the novelty and thus the fun, would be watered down as the expansion of the line to other IPs like Raiders and Batman moved forward. Well, a gameplay video of Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is making the rounds and I have to say, I’m ready to lay down a few dollars to relive the action of Indy going head-to-head with the cast of bad guys from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Check out the trailer below. It’s from the opening scene from Raiders, so expect to see Indy use his whip as he tries to avoid angry Amazonian tribesmen, booby traps, bats, crocodiles and of course a great big LEGO boulder:

--Hobson's Choice

Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

The LEGO video games, beginning with the LEGO Star Wars games have been great, but I’ve secretly worried that the novelty and thus the fun, would be watered down as the expansion of the line to other IPs like Raiders and Batman moved forward. Well, a gameplay video of Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is making the rounds and I have to say, I’m ready to lay down a few dollars to relive the action of Indy going head-to-head with the cast of bad guys from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Check out the trailer below. It’s from the opening scene from Raiders, so expect to see Indy use his whip as he tries to avoid angry Amazonian tribesmen, booby traps, bats, crocodiles and of course a great big LEGO boulder:

--Hobson's Choice

Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

Now, I can't vouch for the validity of this, but I want to believe it's true. I need to believe it's true, if just for my own cluttered silver fish filled existance.

If you can believe what you read on Kotaku.com, and who wouldn't since bloggers always tell the truth, it appears that Kotaku is having a contest, simultaneously dedicated to the upcoming Gamecock title Insecticide and the cleaning up the clutter that plagues the majority of Amazon Prime member's households.

If you are not a Prime member, you gotta get on it. For a minimal annual fee you get free second day shipping, but oh all those Amazon boxes do multiply. Enter Kotaku's "Build an Insect" contest. Like I said, it's based around Insecticide, a detective story for your DS or PC featuring a hard-boiled cast of private investigators who just happen to be bugs. Your task is pretty simple, to create a bug out of anything as long as it isn't computer-generated. Send it to Kotaku and you could win a game copy. The address to send your creature to is at the "Build an Insect" link above. The example from an earlier Kotaku posting is genius, although those plastic utensils look way too new. Regardless, I'm up for anything to get rid of some of those boxes, and the smile is built in.

--Hobson's Choice

Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

Now, I can't vouch for the validity of this, but I want to believe it's true. I need to believe it's true, if just for my own cluttered silver fish filled existance.

If you can believe what you read on Kotaku.com, and who wouldn't since bloggers always tell the truth, it appears that Kotaku is having a contest, simultaneously dedicated to the upcoming Gamecock title Insecticide and the cleaning up the clutter that plagues the majority of Amazon Prime member's households.

If you are not a Prime member, you gotta get on it. For a minimal annual fee you get free second day shipping, but oh all those Amazon boxes do multiply. Enter Kotaku's "Build an Insect" contest. Like I said, it's based around Insecticide, a detective story for your DS or PC featuring a hard-boiled cast of private investigators who just happen to be bugs. Your task is pretty simple, to create a bug out of anything as long as it isn't computer-generated. Send it to Kotaku and you could win a game copy. The address to send your creature to is at the "Build an Insect" link above. The example from an earlier Kotaku posting is genius, although those plastic utensils look way too new. Regardless, I'm up for anything to get rid of some of those boxes, and the smile is built in.

--Hobson's Choice

Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>