Product Description

Group S Challenge is for the hardcore racing gamers who want instant speed. They've got it here, as they cruise the world's fastest cities -- in the world's fastest cars!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30701 in Video Games
• Brand: Capcom Production Studio 3
• Model: 013388290048
• Released on: 2003-11-11
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Xbox
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Features

• Street racing with eye-popping realism and adrenaline-charged action
• State-of-the-art polygonal cars and environments; vibrant light-sourcing effects
• Choose from 50+ turbo-charged street machines; multiple racing tracks
• Compete to be the champion in Circuit mode; race rivals in Arcade mode
• For 1 to 2 players

From the Manufacturer
Like a blast of nitro, Group S Challenge pushes high performance street racing to the limit with eye-popping realism and adrenaline charged action. This ultimate street racing experience features state-of-the-art polygonal cars and environments, vibrant light sourcing effects, and the thrill of speed. Choose from over 50 turbo charged street machines represented by the world’s top auto makers and get ready to dominate the circuit.

Choose from multiple modes and tracks to showcase your mad driving skills. Buckle up and burn rubber with one of the many cars available from world-renowned licenses including Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Audi, TVR, RUF, and Renault. Circuit mode puts you in the hot seat to earn points in the competition to become the overall Group S Challenge champion. Or for some quick action, in Arcade mode, you can select a rival car you would want to race against.

Features:

• Gripping realism: photo-realistic graphics and amazing detail will have you reaching for the gearshift
• Choose from an enormous selection of world-renowned vehicles from automobile manufacturers such as: Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Lotus, Chevrolet, Ford, Audi, RUF, TVR, and Renault
• Unbelievable lighting: light-sourcing technology will cast shadows as well as create reflective effects to deliver uncompromising visual eye candy
• Speed through diverse racetracks: Group S Challenge will circle the globe featuring real world race cityscapes like Monaco, Tokyo, and Australia
• Customize and adjust your car's performance parts in order to achieve the ultimate racing results
• Three modes of play:
  • Circuit Mode: includes "Championship Mode" where you speed through the tracks and rise through the ranks to vie for the championship; "Line Mode" where you earn points as you practice and learn the best driving line; "Duel Mode" where you collect custom cars by racing one on one against rival cars
  • Arcade Mode: all the cars and racing classes are accessible for immediate use; you can also load the aero-part cars you earned during Circuit Mode
  • Replay Theater: relive the highlights of performance racing with these enhanced movie-like images

Customer Reviews

It's an OK game
Overall, it is a pretty good game. I thought the car graphics sucked, though. The steering and braking system also SUCKED...DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!!!!

an un-biased GT3 fan
Comparing to Capcom's other horrible game, Auto Modellista, this game has a good balance of both simulation and arcade elements.

GRAPHICS:
The graphics is above average for sure; however it still looks like a PS2 game, if you compare it to Project Gotham Racing both 1 & 2

GAMEPLAY:
The driving physics seems pretty realistic but actually still feels a little bit arcade-ish, and I wish there can be more driving feedback similar to what Gran Turismo 3 provides. Maybe it's the camera angle or the controller feedback, I don't know. The developer at Capcom would have to figure the formula out, especially if they want the next release to be the GT4 killer. Unlike most other racers like PGR 1 & 2, Need for Speed: Underground, R: Racing Evolution or Auto Modellista, this game does not put a big emphasis on drifting or power sliding. If you are the old-school player like me, who would rather worry about things like the line, the apex and exit speed, you are going to enjoy this game, just like you enjoy GT3 or SEGA GT.

SOUND:
The sound is nicely done, I could actually tell, from next room, what car my girl friend was driving, whether a screamer like Integra Type-R or a growling 911. I have nothing to say about the background music since I didn't really pay too much attention to them.

USER INTERFACE:
There is no story mode in this game, only what they called "circuit mode". You might find this boring if you have just finished Pro Race Driver or R:REvo. This game has a very innovative garage management system. Instead of going thru the long list of your cars with a more-or-less text-based tool, you use an icon-based system. If you care about decorating your garage like you do in AM, SEGA GT or NFS:U, no, sorry, not in this game. BTW I wish there is an option to turn off the menu tip, because they can be very annoying for some people.

CARS:
This game has all of the "essential" cars from Japanese, American and European makers. Even though this game does not have many exotic models, it does provide a huge inventory of cars from some Japanese tuning houses, like Nismo or TRD. I know that people from the rest of the world wouldn't care, but I still wish there can be more American classic models in this game. If you enjoy driving classics, stick with SEGA GT. Most parts of a car can be upgraded. However, only the suspension and the break can be tuned. I wish I can also tweak the wheels and transmission, things like chamber angle, gear ratio or final drive ratio. If you enjoy messing with the car settings, no, this game is nothing like Pro Race Driver, GT3 or even SEGA GT.

AI:
I know because of the sponsorship from the automakers, Capcom couldn't really program any car damage into the game. But that doesn't mean all of the cars should be driven like bumper cars. The AI opponents in this game care ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about damaging their cars. This can be very frustrating especially when you play in tracks like Monte Carlo. The following scenario has happened to me several and several times. I was in 1st place for almost the entire race, I was following the correct lines at all the turns, and I made no mistakes, then all of a sudden, WHAMO, I was either hitting the wall or spinning out-of-control at the final corner, because I was slammed by 2nd place AI from rear. Just like how a run-away fugitive got slammed by the state trooper in any high speed chase. Of course, NFS: Hot Pursuit players may like it, BUT THIS CAN BE VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING FOR MOST OF THE PLAYERS. I know this game is cheap, but doesn't mean the AI has to be cheap too......... And this is why I am taking a star off my score here.

FINAL VERDICT:
It is still a very entertaining and addicting racer, and come on, for $19.99 we are talking about bang for the bucks here.