Okay, so what fans of realistic driving sims with a PS3 sitting in their living rooms are probably really waiting for is Gran Turismo 5. But you can't always get what you want. What you can get is a big old slice of Gran Turismo goodness at cut price with GT5 Prologue.

So, what do you get?

There are two main modes of play: Arcade and Event, and there are none of the traditional Gran Turismo driving tests or licenses to work through. Diving straight into Arcade mode is a good way to get ... more >>

Okay, so what fans of realistic driving sims with a PS3 sitting in their living rooms are probably really waiting for is Gran Turismo 5. But you can't always get what you want. What you can get is a big old slice of Gran Turismo goodness at cut price with GT5 Prologue.

So, what do you get?

There are two main modes of play: Arcade and Event, and there are none of the traditional Gran Turismo driving tests or licenses to work through. Diving straight into Arcade mode is a good way to get familiar with the tracks and cars.

There are five circuits: Suzuka, Fuji Speedway, Daytona Speedway, Eiger Nordwand (first seen in Gran Turismo HD Concept) and London - each of which can be played in some alternative form, either in reverse or via a different route. Arcade mode has Single Race and Time Trial options… yeah, all standard stuff, but you'd complain if it wasn't there.

Event mode is more of a structured challenge. You start out with 3,500,000 credits, which is enough to buy one of the six cheapest cars from Prologue's full range of 40 cars. The chequered flag waves and you get to enter any of Prologue's eight C-class challenges, which include model-specific time trial challenges and races, and a mission race around the new Daytona Speedway track.

Finish in at least third place on these events and you'll unlock eight B-class challenges. Do the same thing there and you'll be racing A-class events. Credits won in events can be used to buy new cars for your garage... yes, cars!

Everything from Ferraris to Alfas to Lotusessess (our word) to Minis and TVRs are on offer. It might not be the full GT5, but it should keep you going. << less