Six hundred and fifty cars. One developer refused to stop adding them until the disc was full.
Gran Turismo 2 launched in December 1999 with 650 cars sourced from over 20 manufacturers and a simulation physics model that Kazunori Yamauchi has said he refused to simplify for commercial reasons. The game's philosophy was the same as the original: driving behavior modeled on real-world physics, manufacturer licensing for every vehicle, and a progression system that asked players to earn the cars they drove. The expanded roster represented years of manufacturer negotiations, individual car research, and physics implementation that pushed to the PlayStation hardware's limits. The game sold 9.37 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling PlayStation games of all time and establishing Gran Turismo as the highest-selling racing simulation franchise in the world. A known bug caused some arcade mode records to be lost in early pressings — later printings corrected this.
— inspired by Kazunori Yamauchi
About this game
Released in December 1999, Gran Turismo 2 expanded Kazunori Yamauchi's vision of the 'Real Driving Simulator' to an unprecedented scale — featuring over 650 licensed cars across two discs, a Simulation Mode with hundreds of race events, and an Arcade Mode for immediate play. The game shipped 9.37 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling PlayStation games of all time, and it sold 1.71 million copies in Japan alone. GT2 remains the pinnacle of PlayStation-era driving simulation.
Key Features
Over 650 licensed production and race cars; two-disc format separating Simulation and Arcade modes; manufacturer-specific Licence Tests teaching real driving techniques; career progression from second-hand car purchases to supercar ownership; 27 tracks including real-world circuits and original courses; Tuning Shop for engine, suspension, and tyre modifications.
The Story Behind
Gran Turismo 2 arrived in December 1999, just weeks before the PlayStation 2's announcement would signal the end of the original PlayStation era. It represented the apex of what a committed team could extract from PS1 hardware over five years of iteration. Yamauchi's insistence on authentic handling models, manufacturer licensing agreements, and encyclopedic car coverage transformed racing games from arcade entertainment into something approaching automotive education. The game's commercial success demonstrated that simulation-depth games could reach mass audiences.
Tricks & Tales
Gran Turismo 2 was released with a known bug that caused the game's completion percentage to cap at 98.2% rather than 100%, due to several race events that could not register as completed under certain conditions. Polyphony Digital acknowledged this but did not patch it. The game's two-disc format was an engineering necessity — the Simulation disc alone contained hundreds of race events and car data. GT2 won numerous awards for 1999 and contributed significantly to PlayStation becoming the dominant console platform in Japan.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The PS1 enforces three distinct regions: NTSC-J (Japan), NTSC-U/C (North America), and PAL (Europe, Australia). Software and consoles are matched by region, and the boot ROM actively rejects discs from other regions on all production models after the earliest SCPH-1000 units. NTSC-J and NTSC-U/C consoles share the same 60Hz signal standard but their software regions are still separate—a Japanese console will not boot a North American disc without modification. PAL titles run at 50Hz and require a PAL console; running them on an NTSC system through composite video outputs only black and white due to the colorburst timing mismatch, though RGB connections can display color correctly.
Maintenance Tips
The PS1's optical drive is the system's most vulnerable component after thirty years. Dust accumulation on the laser lens causes read errors before the laser itself fails; cleaning with a cotton swab lightly dampened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol restores performance in many cases. The sled rails that carry the lens assembly need periodic lubrication—original factory grease hardens with age and increases friction, leading to tracking failures. White lithium grease on the rails (not WD-40) is the correct approach. Disc condition matters as much as the hardware: deep radial scratches near the data area cannot be read regardless of laser health, so always inspect the playing surface before diagnosing the console.
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Gran Turismo 2 copies regularly.
Will this Japanese PlayStation disc work on a North American or European PlayStation?
No. The PlayStation enforces regional lockout through the disc region code and the console BIOS. Japanese discs (NTSC-J) will not play on North American (NTSC-U/C) or European (PAL) consoles without modification such as a mod chip or swap method. Playing Japanese PlayStation software requires a Japanese console or a modified unit. The disc format itself is standard CD-ROM — the incompatibility is entirely software-enforced.
Do I need a memory card to save progress?
Yes. The PlayStation has no internal save storage. A PlayStation Memory Card must be inserted into the console's memory card slot to save game data. Without a memory card, all progress is lost when the console powers off. Each memory card holds 15 blocks; check the game manual for how many blocks this title requires. Official Sony memory cards are recommended for reliability over third-party alternatives.
How should I inspect and care for a PlayStation disc?
Examine the data side (shiny underside) under light. Light surface scratches are generally readable; deep scratches running radially from the center outward are more damaging than circular ones. To clean, wipe from the center outward in straight radial strokes with a soft lint-free cloth — never in a circular motion. If the console struggles to read an otherwise intact disc, the PlayStation laser may need cleaning or adjustment, which is common in aging PS1 hardware.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Gran Turismo 2
A short checklist for buying a used PlayStation disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese PlayStation disc. The PS1 is region-locked, so a Japanese disc needs a Japanese console or a region-free setup.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saves use a memory card — no battery to worry about
PlayStation games save to a separate memory card, so there is no in-cartridge battery to fail.
Just make sure you have a memory card with free blocks for your saves.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
See what it's selling for on eBay →Unexpected Discoveries
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