Racing Games

Need For Speed is one of the best-loved and most successful driving game franchises ever - but you can forget everything you knew about it, as NFS Shift - the clue is in the name -- takes a radical new direction. You could argue that it has grown up - it has moved, by and large, from the streets to legendary race-tracks like Spa, Donington and Laguna Seca (although there are street circuits, too), and gives you the chance to pilot drool-inducing machinery like the Pagani Zonda and Koenigsegg CCX.

The shift in emphasis becomes immediately apparent when you start a Career in the game: there's not a cop-car in sight, but instead, NFS Shift assesses your driving skills by putting you in a BMW 3-series and dropping you into a short race around a gloriously detailed reconstruction of the legendary Brands Hatch. Buy a car and you instantly have a choice of five races. What initially strikes you are the stunning, mega-crisp graphics, best enjoyed through NFS' famous cockpit view, which now has a level of attention to detail that beggars belief.

You swiftly come to appreciate the structure of Need For Speed Shift's Career Mode, which sounds complicated but has been cleverly designed to work in your favour. To progress through the game, you must win stars, which are given out for finishing on the podium (three stars for a win and so on), but also for passing thresholds for Profile Points in each race. Profile Points are awarded for two opposite aspects of your driving: aggression and precision, and the balance between them defines your driving style. This system works brilliantly, as you actually get awarded for indulging in driving that would be frowned on in real life, such as punting opponents off the track or four-wheel slides. Those who fancy themselves as budding pros will undoubtedly want to earn more points for precision than aggression, though.

There are four Tiers to negotiate before you even get to the NFS Live World Tour, the two-series culmination of the game, in which you compete in the world's most exotic cars - to move up the Tiers you need to collect specified numbers of stars. And your Profile Points let you level up as a driver, to a maximum of Level 50. Each time you level up, you get rewards like sponsorship, new rims and vinyls, plus invites to extra races.

NFS Shift boasts straight Races, Time Attacks - in which you get a certain amount of time to post the fastest lap - Eliminators, Drift events, Driver Duels - in which you pick one of two cars and must defeat the other over three races - Endurance races, Manufacturer races - in which you're given an identical car to everyone else on track - and Hot Laps, where you have three target times to beat in order to grab the stars on offer. You earn plenty of Invitational Events along the way, and you can see who out of you and your Friends owns each event in Career Mode. NFS Shift is sure to be a big draw online: up to eight players can compete in Races, Time Attacks and Drifts.

Factor in realistic handling with bags of feel, AI that makes rival drivers improve steadily through the game and extensive customisation of both mechanicals and bodywork, and you have what must be the most complete, best structured and best-looking racing game ever, whether you're a serious petrol-head with dreams of becoming the next Lewis Hamilton, or an enthusiastic amateur who tends to favour arcade-style racers. With Shift, Need For Speed has stepped up several gears at once.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 features a roster of contemporary off-road events, taking players to the most diverse and challenging real-world environments. This World Tour has players competing in aggressive multi-car and intense solo races at extraordinary new locations, from canyon racing and jungle trails to city stadium-based events. Powered by the third generation of the EGO%u2122 Engine's award-winning racing game technology, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 benefits from tuned-up car-handling physics system and new damage engine effects. It also showcases a spectacular new level of visual fidelity, with cars and tracks twice as detailed as those seen in Race Driver: GRID. Colin McRae: DiRT 2's garage houses a best-in-class collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles, specifically selected to deliver aggressive and fast paced racing. Covering seven vehicle classes, players will be given the keys to powerful vehicles right from the off. In Colin McRae: DiRT 2 the opening drive is the Group N Subaru; essentially making the ultimate car from the original game the starting point in the sequel and the rides just get even more impressive. In addition to the World Tour, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 comes complete with full online functionality that will be core to the overall experience, with head-to-head competitive online play and new social features to engage the racing community. Prepare for mud, gravel, dust and dirt too in Colin McRae: DiRT 2!

The official game of the World Superbikes championship returns bigger and better than ever. All new 3D environments, full soundtrack, difficulty modes that allow a first time rider to a racing pro to enjoy SBK09, jump on for a full 8 players online full championship or just have a quick race.

Five single player game modes for a modular approach to the SBK experience.

• Quick Race
• Training
• Race Weekend
• Championship
• Challenges

Other Key Features

• Damage to sponsorships and bikes (for the first time ever in a bike racing title)
• Terrain Deformation

If you love playing with friends at home or online then this is the game for you. Welcome to Paradise City, a world built for fun and adventure. From team challenges to racing to exploring the city there's always something to look forward to in Paradise City. Open the Ultimate Box and let the fun begin.

Features of Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box:
- An enhanced and improved version of Burnout Paradise
- New vehicles including motorbikes
- New game modes and challenges
- All new offline party mode for 2-8 players
- Day to night cycle and weather effects

You never thought it would turn out like this an all-out chase where you're the hunted. And the hunter.

Now you must get behind the wheel and risk everything to infiltrate a ruthless international crime syndicate and take them down. The man you're after is a maniac behind the wheel, and he's driving like his life depends on escape, which maybe it does. He's the one with all the answers you need, you will track him down. Needless to say, that fleet of police cruisers in your rearview mirror won't make things any easier.

It will take all of your experience and every ounce of skill to outrun the law, take down the enemy, and unlock the truth that puts an end to this chase once and for all.

The second instalment of the best-selling PLAYSTATION 3 brutal off road racer leaves Monument Valley for a Pacific island of dense jungle, thick swamps, towering peaks and steaming volcanoes. But don't let the tranquil scenery fool you; this new setting is as violent and unpredictable as the drivers that flock to it. It will smash, scorch and drown you at every turn.

Like the environment, opponents are smarter and more aggressive this time around, with improved Artificial Intelligence. There are 16 multi-route tracks to tear up with all the vehicle classes from the first MotorStorm: ATVs, rally cars, buggies, motorbikes, race trucks, mudpluggers and Big Rigs, as well as the newly arrived monster trucks that climb, sprint and roll over any vehicle in their way.

Multiplayer is even more intense; 16 racers can duke it out online or up to four people can get together and race in split-screen. Comprehensive PLAYSTATION Network support provides sophisticated ranking and leaderboards.

Experience the intensity, thrills and excitement of motorcycle racing with MotoGP 08. Join a team and compete against world-class opponents in three separate classes, on exotic courses all over the world. Show off your skills and take risks to earn points and upgrade your bike. And with new, easy-to-learn controls, MotoGP 08 is the most accessible motorcycle racing game to date.

* Intuitive Arcade controls complement Intermediate and Simulation handling modes, making this a highly accessible racing experience for all audiences
* Ride as yourself and compete against riders from the world's premier motorcycling championship
* Challenge three engine classes, including 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP classes
* Selectable CPU AI allows custom matching to skill levels
* Pit your riding skills against players from across the globe in intense online multiplayer modes
* New 2008 season adds both night racing in Qatar and the Indianapolis circuit
* For the first time, experience MotoGP on the PS3 and Wii

The best way to see Los Angeles is at 200mph.

Race at breakneck speeds through the streets of modern-day L.A. recreated in stunning detail.

Drive the hottest range of real-world tuners, muscle cars, exotics and superbikes on the streets today.

Customize your ride with the best after-market performance parts and custom kits.

Illegal street racing with no track, no load times, no rules: Welcome back to the Midnight Club."

Race Driver: GRID TM is all about the race. Discover a stunning world of motorsport brought to life, from racing muscle cars through the iconic streets of San Francisco and competing in the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans to drifting around the docks of Yokohama. Jump behind the wheel of exhilarating racing cars in the most aggressive, spectacular wheel-to-wheel races you've ever experienced. Then prove yourself online. Welcome to GRID. Racing just got exciting again.

Take your place on the starting grid and prepare for high-speed racing action in Mario Kart Wii.

Use the Wii Wheel (included) to steer your way round 32 tracks and race against friends to see who is king of the road!

You can slow down the opposition or give yourself a handy speed boost by using a variety of helpful items, or pull off spectacular stunts on your way to the finish line. There's even the option of mixing with Mario and co. by racing as your Mii.

Get in gear and join a race that everyone can enjoy!

Game Features:
- The Wii Wheel transforms the Wii Remote; controller into a steering wheel that feels natural in anyone's hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk; controller offer a classic control style for the Mario Kart veteran. In either configuration, players can perform speed-boosting tricks with a shake of the Wii Remote.
- Players can race as their favourite Nintendo character, or even as themselves! Mario Kart Wii lets players race with their personalized Mii; characters. And racers will see other Mii characters they have created cheering from the sidelines on some race courses.
- Players can compete with up to three friends in their living room. Or challenge up to 11 opponents via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in the biggest Mario Kart race yet. All tracks and modes of play are available via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and players can visit the Mario Kart Channel to compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.
- Cruise new tracks and arenas or tour classic courses from Super Mario Kart;, Mario Kart; 64, Mario Kart;: Super Circuit;, Mario Kart;: Double Dash!!; and Mario Kart; DS. Tired of riding on four wheels? Bust out one of the new motorbikes for special tricks and techniques.

The real driving simulator returns with the highly anticipated precursor to Gran Turismo 5, featuring 50 cars from worldwide auto manufacturers including Ferrari, Ford, and Audi. With all-new interior dash views, online racing, and more, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue unveils revolutionary advancements that blur the distinction between simulation and reality. Fifty cars and five race tracks, including Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, and for the first time ever, Daytona International Speedway. All-new interior dash view puts you in the driver?s seat like never before. Race online with up to 16 players to prove your skills. New online community features including Gran Turismo TV, featuring worldwide automotive and motorsport programming. Rendered in beautiful 1080p at 60fps with crisp, realistic lighting effects (replays rendered in 1080p 30fps)

Mario Kart DS will drive players new and old to distraction as they race their way around a selection of tracks, including all-new extravaganzas and time-honoured classics from previous versions of the games. What's more Mario Kart DS will be the first Nintendo DS title to offer gamers online play allowing you to race anyone, anywhere, anytime for free.

Want to show off your skills? Then get excited as Mario Kart DS features both online and wireless multiplayer modes. By using the Wireless DS Single-Card Download Play feature, up to 8 players can link up with just one game card. Alternatively you can battle it out online with three other players either in the comfort of your own home using your existing Wi-Fi broadband; or in the High Street either at Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Access Points in store or at Nintendo Wi-Fi connection enabled public Wi-Fi hotspots. Never before has it been so easy to pick up a games console and challenge friends from all over the world for free.

Nintendo's unique new Friend Roster enables players to play online with their friends, all you need to do is set up a Friend Code by swapping a number with your friend, they will then be added to your Friend Roster and you can select to play with them online anytime, anywhere. Alternatively you can play with someone of a similar skill level. This is done seamlessly via Nintendo's servers through the use of a skill mapping system to ensure the environment is open to users of all ages and skill levels.

The Nintendo DS's double screens are put to perfect use in Mario Kart DS, moving certain features, such as the map onto the bottom screen, clearing the top solely for the fast paced action. Mario Kart DS also allows players to see what weapons their opponents have, thanks to a small symbol next to their faces on the lower screen. For the first time ever you will know what item to hang onto and what tricks your opponents have up their sleeves.

Following in the Mario Kart tradition, players must pick up items along the track such as power-ups which they can use to boost their own powers, mushrooms for a speed boost, a star to become invulnerable or shells, bombs and bananas to attack their opponents. Players can use these items to knock their opponents off the track and out of their way. These power ups can dramatically change the outcome of a race, so mastering these can give you the vital edge over your opponents.

Product Title

Product Release Date

Mario Kart DS

25/11/2005

Forza Motorsport 2

08/06/2007

Colin McRae: DIRT

15/06/2007

Project Gotham Racing 4

12/10/2007

Cars: Mater-National

08/02/2008

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue Platinum

28/03/2008

Mario Kart with Wheel

11/04/2008

Race Driver: GRID

30/05/2008

Pure

26/09/2008

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

24/10/2008

MotoGP 08

24/10/2008

Motorstorm: Pacific Rift

07/11/2008

Shaun White Snowboarding

14/11/2008

Need for Speed: Undercover

21/11/2008

Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

06/02/2009

Family Ski and Snowboard

27/02/2009

Wheelman

27/03/2009

SBK 09 - Superbike World Championship

29/05/2009

MySims Racing

19/06/2009

Colin McRae Dirt 2

11/09/2009

Need for Speed: Shift

18/09/2009

To obtain more information about these great racing games, please visit Racing Game.