Adam Ismail

If I had to choose one word to describe my approach to sim racing hardware, it’d have to be “minimal.” For the vast majority of my make-believe career, I’ve plugged away with nothing more than a controller. When a brief stint with iRacing forced me to use a wheel, I snagged a Driving Force GT and improvised a rig using a folding dinner table, along with a large stack of books behind the featherweight pedals to keep them from sliding.

This weekend marks the 86th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It coincides with a pivotal time for the world’s greatest race. Rising costs for the top-level LMP1 prototypes have left Toyota as the only factory-backed entrant in the class. Meanwhile, organizers are busy developing a cheaper and more marketable formula to replace it that would ideally encourage manufacturers to invest again. 

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. In this installment, we take a look at a game that set the standard for modern open-world arcade racers.

For the wide majority of us, snapping up the Hot Wheels equivalent of our favorite ride is the closest we’ll ever get to actually owning it. However, the famed die cast brand is turning that routine on its head for its 50th anniversary, inviting enthusiasts to submit their own projects to inspire Mattel’s next pocket-sized models.

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. In this installment, we take a look at a fan-favorite Sega arcade racer. 

Driving music. Some will tell you the very concept is wrong — the engine and tires provide all the auditory stimulation you could possibly need. Others cannot possibly get behind the wheel without it.

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. In this installment, we take a look at one of the original PlayStation’s forgotten first-party racers. 

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. In this installment, we take a look back at Namco’s realistic Ridge Racer reboot, R: Racing Evolution. 

“Maestro of Gran Turismo Sport.” It’s an odd title for sure, but one Lewis Hamilton seems to have embraced. Polyphony Digital has just released a pair of videos of the four-time Formula 1 World Champion turning in a series of laps at the Nurburgring GP circuit, behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT GT3.

The Switch is home to some of the year’s best games — unless you’re a racing fan. While it’s true Nintendo’s platforms have never been a haven for the genre, the hybrid console is awfully shorthanded in the racing department, even compared to its predecessors. Excellent as they are, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Fast RMX can only satisfy for so long.

I have a friend named Chris. I’ve known Chris since grade school; my earliest memories of going to his house involve wading through a garage filled with motorcycle parts, gear, and a Honda VTR1000F. His dad raced for Honda and Suzuki in the ’80s, which to a couple of eight-year-olds may as well have made him a superhero.

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. To commemorate the upcoming release of Need for Speed Payback, we’re revisiting one of franchise’s most iconic installments. 

What do you get when you combine charming, classic good looks with all the conveniences of modern motoring? Yet another concept at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, as it turns out. In this case, we’re talking about the Daihatsu Compagno DN, a reprise of a half-century old nameplate from Japan’s oldest surviving automaker.

Want to feel old? Nearly as much time passed between the first Gran Turismo and GT4 — about seven years — as between GT5 and GT Sport.

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. To commemorate the release of Forza Motorsport 7, we’re revisiting the franchise’s landmark first installment. 

Earlier in the week, we got our first look at the complete GT Sport car list.

It turns out Kaz and company meant it when they said GT Sport was intended for anyone aged 7 to 77. Japan celebrated Senior Citizens Day on September 18, and the Japan Activity Association marked the occasion by using the upcoming racing sim to help seniors stay sharp.

For some of us, Gran Turismo was our first driving simulator. For those of us who have been around a bit longer, there were other toys, like Tomy’s Turnin’ Turbo. Back in 1983, this tabletop marvel was all the rage among budding young gearheads — so we’re told — with its Porsche-inspired design, sleek instrument cluster, and Tron-like visuals.

Welcome to Mirror Mode, GTPlanet’s series that shines a spotlight on retro racing games. For this, the fourth round, we’re looking at a franchise long tied to the PlayStation brand: Ridge Racer. Ridge Racer V arrived alongside the PlayStation 2 early in 2000.

Microsoft spilled more details regarding the Xbox One X this week at Gamescom. Among the news was a list of about 120 titles the new console will enhance. Fortunately for us, more than a couple of those happen to be racing games.