It was only a couple of months ago that Sony revealed a special, limited edition PS4 console for GT Sport.
Based on the regular, 1TB, slim PS4 model, the eye-catching console also comes with a special GT Sport DS4 controller. It seems like the perfect accessory for a Gran Turismo fan.
We’ve been fortunate enough to get our hands on one, so we’ve had a dig through the packaging to see exactly what you get for your money.
GAME is the only retailer in the UK that stocks this Limited Edition console, so it plasters its logo all over the first box you find. From there it’s the usual, slightly drawn-out, process of opening smaller and smaller boxes — like a game of Pass the Parcel, with a proper prize at the end.
That limited edition case is effectively a sleeve that contains an ordinary, plain-white PS4 box within. If you’re going to keep it in the loft for posterity, we recommend lightly unpicking the sticky plastic disc-seal and then storing it back in GAME’s big box.
Opening up the white box finally starts to reveal the goodness within.
The contents might confuse at first. The game’s disc box is quite clearly a regular copy, but the bundle ought to contain a Day One edition of the game. Worry not — there is a voucher code for additional content in the box and GAME also sends along a further code via email.
These codes give the player access to a special livery sticker pack, 60 PS4 avatars, a chrome in-game helmet and an extra 750,000cr. You also get the three-car European Car Pack, consisting of the Audi R18 TDI (Gr.1), Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak (Gr.B) and the Peugeot RCZ Gr.B Rally Car.
Along with the game, assortment of cables and the booklets no-one has ever read, we get our first glimpse at the silver controller and console.
The new controller (CUH-ZCT2E) feels slightly lighter than the old one, although we’ve checked and it isn’t. It has a black lower half of the shell, while the upper is satin silver. It’s quite reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham Knight controller, with the obvious exception of the satin silver GT logo in the center of the touchpad. There’s also two silver dots, in the lower left and right corners of the touchpad.
You’ll find the same color scheme on the PS4 itself. Again, the lower half of the outer shell (or left half, if you’re standing it upright — stand sold separately) is black, while the top is satin silver, rather like the slim PS2 consoles 13 years ago.
Dead center is a dark grey, matt finish GT logo, coming in at three inches by two inches. A reflective silver PS logo adorns the top-right corner, just in case you forget who makes the console…
If you’re a GT aficionado that’s not quite committed enough for the PS4 bundle, the GT Sport Collector’s Edition might be a good substitute. It’s expensive, at over £100, but from what we can tell, it’s worth every penny!
The Collector’s Edition comes in a neat box made out of thick cardboard. It closes with a magnet on the front to make sure the loot stays in place when you’re moving it around – smart. There’s even a GT logo cut out of the velvet-like casing inside the box.
Included in the Collector’s Edition is the Gran Turismo Magazine 2017 — better known as the APEX book — along with a Mercedes-AMG GT model, and a gold steelbook version of GT Sport complete with various codes for free stuff.
Everything feels very premium. The book is printed on high quality paper, the AMG GT model is intricately detailed and the steelbook version of the game glows in gold. This package is on a limited production run and it certainly feels that way.
You’ll find a custom Gran Turismo/PlayStation livery adorning the Mercedes-AMG GT model. The design of the 1:43 scale car is very Polyphony Digital — it’s all about attention to detail. The model replicates the entire inside of the car, as well as small details like brake discs and red brake ducts. The car sits nicely on a black plinth.
The steelbook version of GT Sport is like almost any other steelbook you may have purchased in the past. But the gold detailing is what makes the difference. Gold makes everything better — that’s just scientific fact — but the shiny effect really makes this version of the game stand out on the shelf.
To say the codes for free content inside the steelbook are generous would be an understatement. Along with all the goodies mentioned in the PS4 bundle above, you also get a Japan Car Pack, the America Car Pack, a Pace Car Car Pack and three million in-game credits. That’s 18 cars in total, and a dynamic theme for your PS4.
Last but not least is the literal backbone of the package. The Gran Turismo Magazine 2017 — also referred to as the APEX book — is a genuinely great piece of kit. It’s 247 pages of everything you could ever want to read about cars and motor racing. There are six chapters including a in-depth history of automobiles, driving techniques, photography advice, the Vision Gran Turismo project and more.
This isn’t like the previous APEX book that was bundled with Gran Turismo 5. This is made out of high quality materials and the content inside goes into intricate detail on all six chapters. There’s even a foreword from Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi himself.
The GT Sport Collector’s Edition is admittedly pricey but it more than justifies its cost. The sheer amount of free in-game content almost pays for itself. Then you factor in a substantial, high quality and well-written driving book as well as the exquisite model of the AMG GTS and you can understand why this is the definitive version of GT Sport.
