PS2 Rally Sims - What's Good and available for NTSC?

[KAMKA-Z]

I enjoy the rallying in the GT series, but I'd like to find something more dedicated for Rally. One that runs a series of stages with a co-driver giving notes. The "catch" is I want NTSC format, that cuts my choices severly. A good selection of cars would be nice too.

I've tried V-Rally 3. I don't like the arcade view. I prefer a driver's seat or windshield view like GT. Steering with my Madcatz wheel is overly sensitive.

I've tried Paris-Dakar. Big disapointment. Arcade view only. Single player only.

Looks like my next choices would be:

Colin McRae
Colin McRae 3
WRC (from 2002)
Sega Rally 2006 (not sure if this was actually released to North America)
ROC Rally Fusion

Any comments on those games or others you'd suggest?

 

[Blake]

This should probably be moved to the PS2 forum.

 

[Mr Deap]

Richard Burn Rally

 

[KSaiyu]

It's not available for NTSC, which is a shame since it's the most authentic by far. I suppose the best you could get is a Colin Mcrae game.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Rally fusion is a great blast. I would suggest Xpand Rally but your looking for ps2 not pc..

 

[huntervf]

The U.S. gets the shaft when it comes to rally games. I'm about as hard-core a rally fan as you'll find; I had Colin McRae Rally 3 when it first came out and a month later I sold it. I was VERY disappointed in the physics of the game. It didn't turn worth a damn, slid for no reason and gripped when you wanted a drift. It's been a couple years since I had it so I can't remember the other details, but that was the biggest complaint I had. Also, if I remember correctly, you have a very limted selection of cars. Not that there's a ton of cars to choose from in any rally game, but I recall this game being worse than WRC. The interesting thing was that you could download actual rally notes done by Nicky Grist for a special stage, and have your own real-life co-driver reading them to you. I have no idea if those notes are still available though.

Speaking of which, I still have WRC, originally released way back in 2002. I think it's a better game overall. The rallys are too short, the replays are a little goofy, and the co-driver shouts notes WAY too slow, but the physics feel better, and was a more enjoyable game IMO. That would be my suggestion for a U.S. based rally game.

 

[KAMKA-Z]

This should probably be moved to the PS2 forum.

That would be OK by me. I just figured I'd get the REAL rally fans here.

 

[KAMKA-Z]

The U.S. gets the shaft when it comes to rally games. I'm about as hard-core a rally fan as you'll find; I had Colin McRae Rally 3 when it first came out and a month later I sold it. I was VERY disappointed in the physics of the game. It didn't turn worth a damn, slid for no reason and gripped when you wanted a drift. It's been a couple years since I had it so I can't remember the other details, but that was the biggest complaint I had. Also, if I remember correctly, you have a very limted selection of cars. Not that there's a ton of cars to choose from in any rally game, but I recall this game being worse than WRC. The interesting thing was that you could download actual rally notes done by Nicky Grist for a special stage, and have your own real-life co-driver reading them to you. I have no idea if those notes are still available though.

Speaking of which, I still have WRC, originally released way back in 2002. I think it's a better game overall. The rallys are too short, the replays are a little goofy, and the co-driver shouts notes WAY too slow, but the physics feel better, and was a more enjoyable game IMO. That would be my suggestion for a U.S. based rally game.

Thanks Much.

Motor City..... Been to SnowDrift yet? I haven't but I used to get up to the Lake Superior Pro Rally in Houghton every couple of years when I lived in MN.

I've been watching for Colin McRae 3 and WRC in Ebay auctions. There is a fair amount of demand for the Colin McRae 3 yet.

 

[SimRaceDriver]

The U.S. gets the shaft when it comes to rally games....

That is soooo true! But then again, with all the other forms of racing here in the 'states' (NACASR, ALMS, AMA, Supercross, IRL, Champ Car, etc., etc.,), I can't see Rally Racing really getting a foot-hold over here, as it has over in Europe!

Speaking of which, I still have WRC, originally released way back in 2002. I think it's a better game overall. The rallys are too short, the replays are a little goofy, and the co-driver shouts notes WAY too slow, but the physics feel better, and was a more enjoyable game IMO. That would be my suggestion for a U.S. based rally game.

I agree as well! WRC isn't the best, but compared to the other options we americans have, there's nothing else to really worthy of buying. Cool thing about the PS3, "IF" what is being said is true, is that it'll be 'region free', meaning if there was a really good came that was only released in say Europe, you could order it online and play it on your system here in the 'States'....which I think is really awesome...

 

[daan]

This should probably be moved to the PS2 forum.

Moved to the PS2 forums.

I just figured I'd get the REAL rally fans here.

But you are asking about games, so it should have went into the games foums.

 

[huntervf]

Thanks Much.

Motor City..... Been to SnowDrift yet? I haven't but I used to get up to the Lake Superior Pro Rally in Houghton every couple of years when I lived in MN.

Have not had a chance to see the Lake Superior Rally, but I've been to the SnoDrift for the last 6 years, save 2003 and 2004. When the SCCA dropped the series it went downhill a bit, the spectating regs got snippy and the main sponsors pulled out. Last years rally was a little better; at least Subaru was involved but with their $500,000 bonus for any winning team sporting a Subaru it was like "WRX-WRX-WRX-WRX-Legacy-WRX-WRX whoa there's an EVO! WRX-WRX-WRX...." Kinda repetative. I'd really like to see more factory involvement from other teams.

I'll be back for 07, possibly with press credentials. No more spectator stages for me

On-topic: Now that rallying has been featured LIVE in the U.S. on TV for the recent X-games, (with McRae & Grist driving no less) maybe we'll see more interest, as I've been told the ratings were pretty good for it. Maybe we can at least get a rally segment for the next X games playstation release.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

One of the best rally games I ever played was Rallisport Challenge 2 for the xbox. Its almost worth the investment of getting the xbox just for that game. Since you only have a pS2 then I would suggest the Colin McRae games. They are pretty fun just nothing like Rallisport Challenge 2.
The hill climbs and mud were just amazing in RC2. Physics were almost perfect and the graphics were excellent.

 

[RallyF1]

aaahhh the joy of rally games, recently i have been playing WRC Evolved the latest game in rallying and i have to say it is the best in the series so far, i would say it's a combination of Colin McRae rally 2 phyiscs engine and the good looks of a ps2 racing game. i aquired a copy, patched it with "ps2_pal2ntsc_yfix" install it on my HD and playing it with HD Loader, i would go to that extent to play rally games, it's a shame that we don't get these kind of games in the U.S.

 

[mwoodski]

Rally Fusion is good, I have it, I reccomend it.

 

[Scaff]

aaahhh the joy of rally games, recently i have been playing WRC Evolved the latest game in rallying and i have to say it is the best in the series so far, i would say it's a combination of Colin McRae rally 2 phyiscs engine and the good looks of a ps2 racing game. i aquired a copy, patched it with "ps2_pal2ntsc_yfix" install it on my HD and playing it with HD Loader, i would go to that extent to play rally games, it's a shame that we don't get these kind of games in the U.S.

If you have the ability to play PAL games on an NTSC machine and you want a real rally sim then get Richard Burns Rally.

Its the only true sim for the rally fan released on the PS2 (PAL only i'm afraid), but be warned it does show the likes of WRC, Colin McRae and Rallysport Challenge for the arcade games they are).

http://www.richardburnsrally.com/



The above vid was the first one I found on youtube and is the PC version, but the PS2 version is not far behind in the visual department at all.


Regards

Scaff

 

[KAMKA-Z]

I've tried Paris-Dakar. Big disapointment. Arcade view only. Single player only.
QUOTE]

I revisited this game last week. Well, you know the real Dakar was in progress and it inspired me. I discovered I was wrong about "Arcade view only". There's actually about 6 different driver views available including 2 cockpit views. I really got into it this time, I especially enjoyed the fast twisty mountain stages. Yes the graphics and the physics are crude, but once I found a driver view I liked the enjoyment went up considerably.