Ferrari F355 Challenge

Released in Europe on October 30th 2000, and developed by the AM2 division of Sega, Ferrari F355 Challenge was made under the supervision of Yu Suzuki, the wizard behind such gaming classics as Hang On, Outrun and the legendary Shenmue.
It is a racing game based on the Ferrari only race events held all over the globe, and naturally the only vehicle on offer in game is a Ferrari but it matters little. This is a superb driving/racing title, which to this day holds up to current racers, quite an achievment for a decade old game. The only niggle that could be levelled at it (and its albeit a very minor complaint) is that it only had one camera angle, forcing the player to drive every race from the cars cockpit. But seeing as this is the only view real life Ferrari drivers would see, then one could argue that this was another bow to the game's realism.
Add to the fact that there is an excellent roster of circuits to compete on and it would be a very damp cloth indeed who would complain.

Tracks availabe - Motegi (Oval circuit), Suzuka (both short & long configuration), Monza, Sugo and Long Beach. Unlockable circuits - Sepang, Atlanta, Laguna Seca, Nurburgring and Fiorano (the real track used by Ferrari to test their cars).

The 'feel' of the races in Ferrari F355 Challenge is superb, and if you do get bumped off track by a rival, it never feels like its cheating the player. The mistakes are down to you. The visuals are pretty enough and off track ornaments, such as the giant fairground beside the Suzaka circuit, all add to the atmosphere, making it feel more like a typical race day event. These masterly details are proof that Yu Suzuki was behind the production.
All in all, a fine racing game that has the ability to make some current driving games to look a bit silly.