GT2: Going forward to go back

[HEAVYSET]

I was feeling retro and thought I'd give GT2 another try. I remember buying the game a day or so after it came out here in the states, Dec. 26, 1999. I had trouble. Had trouble winning races in Arcade mode and then I tried to gold a couple license tests and was soundly humiliated. It was early in my racing game days and while the likes of EA's NASCAR was rather easy, GT2 put the beatdown on me. I was literally intimidated by that game and never touched it again. Traded, sold, or gave it away, can't remember.

Fast forward to today after a positive experience 100 percenting GT3 many years ago, loving GT4 as my favorite, and dabbling next-gen with GT5: Prologue, I decide to nab a brand new, still wrapped Greatest Hits version of the game, a memory card, and spin it up in my PS2. Hopefully, Sony got a credit of that sale, but after all these years...?

All looked good through the menus but when the wheels started to roll.....Whoa!!! Going back and forth from hi-def gaming to the PS2 for GT3 and GT4 isn't a problem, but GT2 is going to take some getting used to.

I also bought a wheel to use with the game. An Interact Concept 4. This also brand new sealed in box. Hehe, a brand new 11 year old wheel. This has 2 analog modes, Dualshock and NeGcon. The DS mode has a huge deadzone, and while the NeGcon mode is less, The dz is still a little too much.

Searching for knowledge on the net for a possible solution to the deadzone problem only told me PD coded the game with huge deadzone thinking sticks rather than wheels. Fair enough. However, my search also exposed me to another method for playing the game. I won't go into any details about this method as it is frowned upon here a GTP, and I don't condone use of the method unless you own the proper Sony console and official copy of the game. I have a legit GT2 discset and PS2 so thought I would try this method conscience free. My hope and sole reason for trying this other method was thinking I could somehow overcome this deadzone problem with the resources of a PC.

I first tried a wired Xbox 360 pad with this new method. The game looked and performed great. With another setup program, I was even able to get analog use with the triggers. I was winning races on Hard dif in Arcade mode in no time. Guess the years of experience since those fateful license failures paid off.

Next I tried my old Logitech MOMO force wheel. This worked after trying various combos of methods, but at the expense of choppy graphics. I'll stick with the 360 pad. I prefer it 10-1 over any PS pad.

So, I needed today's tech to enjoy that of yesteryear. Going forward to go back.

What about the Concept 4? I'm using it with my old Xbox via a Dualshock to Xbox adapter. Works great and there isn't any ridiculous deadzone to overcome. Go figure. Always wanted a wheel for that system. Now, all these years later by default of poor performance with GT2, I have one.

Loving GT2 by the way. I originally got the notion to go back because I love PD created tracks and found out there were some in GT2 that weren't in GT3 and GT4. Had to try them out! And those nasty license tests that buried me before, I golded them first try! Onward, upward, and backward!

 

[HEAVYSET]

Not that anyone cares, but I'm posting this just to clear my conscience. The other method of playing the game I referred to in the post above had some guilt attached to it after all. It's the wrong way to play the game. Morally as well as legally. Period.

I've since been playing it a proper way, with the official copy of the game on my PS2. With an official SONY PS1 memory card too. No, the graphics aren't as sharp as with the other way, but somehow the game appeals to me more played legitimately with 1999 circa graphics. We were wowed by these visuals back then. That feeling settles in the more I play. Love this game!!

 

[Parnelli Bone]

That's cool. I still love it, too. Recently did some driving in a Mustang around Grindelwald for a time trial challenge hosted by Jeff Goddin. Even though my driving isn't what it used to be, and the results were somewhat disappointing for me, it really was a walk back thru memory lane. Had me grinning.

I was in the habit of driving in 3rd person mode in GT2 (camera behind, furthest back) instead of bumper cam, and reverted right back to this mode, even though in GT3 I always used bumper cam, and GT4/GT5 I use hood/roof view most of all. 3rd person just works best for me in GT2.

I was liking the camera mode option as well. This allows the car some leeway when cornering hard, so that the camera isn't absolutely behind the car at all times...instead you also see a portion of the side of the car as it corners, if that makes any sense. This is a feature PD dropped for later GTs, which is one of the reasons I stopped using it. The other reason is in GT3 and GT4 especially, the car is so damn BIG in camera behind mode. Makes it hard to see where to aim.

If I had more time (i.e. no job, lol) I'd definitely spend more time with GT2 than I would with any of the other games. I'd go back to the original GT as well, some GT4, but GT3 A-spec would continue to collect dust.

 

[HEAVYSET]

What's odd for me is I'm forced to use the Dualshock for GT2. I never liked Sony's pad, but I've adapted well to it. I was using an Xbox 360 pad via the other method and it gave a some analog control for throttle and brake with the triggers, but the DS isn't so bad with those mapped to R2 and L2 respectively.

I prefer a wheel. My first time with GT3 years ago I used an Interact V3. When I ventured into GT4 I used a DFP. I sold that and bought a DFGT when I first had a PS3 and GT5. I've had a PS2 off and on and sold my first PS3 a couple of years ago. However, I recently purchased a new Slim model with GT5. I'll of course use the DFGT with that. I was using it with GT3 and GT4. Since I don't like to move a wheel once I have it set up and the cords are neatly run, I bought another DFP for use with GT3/GT4. I like it better with those games because it has a mechanical lock at 200 degrees for GT3, whereas the DFGT only has a soft lock. You feel more resistance at 200 degrees, but can still turn past that mark. I find that unnerving. I prefer the DFP's mechanical lock.

My gaming set up now is extensive. I utilize wooden computer carts. On one I have a PS2 hooked to a 20" SDTV via component inputs. The DFP is mounted to the cart. That takes care of GT2/GT3/GT4.

On another I have an Xbox routed through a component to VGA transcoder hooked to a 19" monitor. I have an Interact Concept 4 wheel mounted to that cart. Good for a couple old Xbox faves like Test Drive: Eve of Destruction and 4x4 EVO 2.

On a larger cart I have the PS3 and Xbox 360 that share a 22" HDTV via HDMI. I have the DFGT mounted on one side and an MS Wireless Racing wheel on the other. I slide the HDTV behind whichever wheel I'm using. That takes care of GT5 and the likes of Forza. All carts are on casters so they can easily be moved. Each has a multitap powerstrip as well. Put the pedals on top, unplug one cord, and we're mobile.

I prefer hood view. It makes the most sense to me while using a wheel. It matches my view when driving for real. I consider the monitor/tv screen as the windshield and the area underneath of there as the dash. I could never get on with incar view when using a wheel. Looks silly to me seeing another wheel and set of arms in addition to mine. Unfortunately, GT2/3/4 don't offer hood view, so I use bumper cam. The roof view is too high and behind the car is silly to me too while using a wheel.