Sony Announces Free to Play Gran Turismo Game, But There’s a Catch

A free, new Gran Turismo game is coming soon for PlayStation players, bringing back the nostalgic feel of the original 1997 classic racing game. The newest throwback game in the Gran Turismo lineup is being released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, which released its first console on December 3, 1994.

The Gran Turismo series launched nearly 27 years ago, making it nearly as old as the PlayStation brand itself. Throughout the decades, seven mainline games have been released, with at least one for each of Sony’s console generations, as well as a handheld version for the PlayStation Portable in 2009 and five spin-off games. Most recently, Sony released Gran Turismo 7 exclusively for the PlayStation 4 and 5 on March 4, 2022, packing the game with more than 400 cars and 34 tracks at launch.

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New Version of Gran Turismo 7 Could Be Coming Soon

A new trial version of Gran Turismo 7 could be releasing soon to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original PlayStation console.

Unlike Gran Turismo 7, this new game, titled My First Gran Turismo, will be scaled down significantly in terms of its roster of drivable vehicles. Featuring a lineup of 18 different Gran Turismo cars of various types, the game captures the old-school feel of early games in the racing series but updates them with a modern-day look, as shown in a trailer released by PlayStation Studios and Polyphony Digital. While a full listing of the available cars hasn’t been made public yet, the trailer shows off a few, including the Lamborghini Countach LP400 ’74, the Honda NSX Type R ’92, the TT Coupe 3.2 quattro ’03, the M3 Sport Evolution ’89, the Dodge Challenger R/T ’70, and the Mazda Roadster S (ND) ’15. Only a few cars will be available when players first launch the game, with the rest unlocked through a progression system.

My First Gran Turismo Release Date

• December 6, 2024, at midnight local time

First-timers and fans of the series can pick up My First Gran Turismo for free from the PlayStation Store starting at midnight local time on December 6, 2024. The game will feature both time trails and three race events with classic Gran Turismo tracks, and longtime fans of the series can look forward to revisiting some nostalgic locations, like Kyoto Driving Park, Deep Forest Raceway, and Trial Mountain Circuit, as detailed in a recent PlayStation Blog post.

My First Gran Turismo will be available for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, but PlayStation 5 players will get an additional treat. Following the success of Gran Turismo 7 on PS VR2, PlayStation 5 players will also be able to enjoy a virtual reality experience with My First Gran Turismo.

Gran Turismo 7 brings together the very best features of the Real Driving Simulator.Whether you’re a competitive or casual racer, collector, tuner, livery designer or photographer – find your line with a staggering collection of game modes including fan-favorites like GT Campaign, Arcade and Driving School.With the reintroduction of the legendary GT Simulation Mode, buy, tune and race your way through a rewarding solo campaign as you unlock new cars and challenges. And if you love going head-to-head with others, hone your skills and compete in the GT Sport Mode.With over 420 cars available at Brand Central and the Used Car Dealership from day one, Gran Turismo 7 recreates the look and feel of classic motors and bleeding-edge supercars alike in unparalleled detail. Each car handles differently and feels unique as you navigate over 90 track routes in dynamic weather conditions, including classic courses from GT history.  

Systems

Released

March 24, 2022

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Local Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary Engine

ESRB

E for Everyone: Alcohol Reference, Use of Tobacco

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-2

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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