They delayed it by eighteen months — and removed the online mode entirely — because perfect was not negotiable.
Gran Turismo 4 was originally scheduled for 2003. It did not ship until December 2004. Polyphony Digital spent that extra year and a half not adding features but refining what was already there — improving the physics model until braking caused cars to pitch forward realistically, expanding the car roster past 700 licensed vehicles, recording each engine sound separately. The online mode that had been promised was removed entirely; it would not meet Yamauchi's standard. The game became one of only four PlayStation 2 titles capable of 1080i output — a technical achievement that required engineering far beyond what most studios would consider worth the effort for a racing game. It was not efficiency. It was conviction. Yamauchi has said that 'The Real Driving Simulator' is not a tagline but a design specification. Play Gran Turismo 4 with that in mind, and every detail — the tire physics, the lighting on the Nürburgring, the way a Honda NSX handles at the limit — stops looking like excess. It starts looking like a choice.
— inspired by Kazunori Yamauchi
About this game
Released in Japan on December 28, 2004, Gran Turismo 4 was the fourth entry in Polyphony Digital's simulation racing series and the most technically ambitious title in the franchise to that point. Originally scheduled for 2003, the game was delayed by over eighteen months while director Kazunori Yamauchi and his team refined the physics model, expanded the licensed car roster past 700 vehicles, and recorded individual engine sounds for each. The promised online mode was removed entirely to meet Yamauchi's quality standard. Gran Turismo 4 became one of only four PlayStation 2 titles capable of 1080i output, with improved body physics that caused cars to pitch and roll realistically under acceleration and braking. The Japanese NTSC-J version features 711 cars and includes several vehicles not present in other regional releases.
Key Features
Over 700 licensed vehicles from 80 manufacturers spanning from the 1886 Daimler Motor Carriage to 2022 concept cars, 51 tracks including real-world circuits and fictional courses, improved physics with realistic body movement under braking and acceleration, 1080i output capability (one of only four PS2 titles), individual engine sound recordings for each car, LAN multiplayer support for up to six players, and a structured driving licence progression system.
The Story Behind
Gran Turismo 4 was developed during the height of the PlayStation 2 era, when racing simulation games were pushing the limits of console hardware. Polyphony Digital had established itself as Sony's premier racing developer with the original Gran Turismo (1997) and its sequels. GT4 represented the culmination of Yamauchi's vision to create 'The Real Driving Simulator' — a phrase he insisted was not a marketing tagline but a design specification. The game's extensive delay and removal of online features reflected Polyphony Digital's commitment to quality over release schedules, a decision that would define the studio's reputation for perfectionism.
Tricks & Tales
Gran Turismo 4 Prologue was released before the main game with 50 of the planned cars and 5 tracks to test features and prepare players. The NTSC-J version includes 711 cars, with 13 specific vehicles not included in other regional versions. Some vehicles like the Toyota ESSO ULTRAFLO Supra (JGTC) '01 are exclusive to NTSC-J and PAL versions. The game supports data import from GT4 Prologue in the Japanese version, a feature not available in the North American release. Despite the removal of online gameplay, GT4 supports LAN play for up to six players using the PlayStation 2 Network Adapter, though custom cars cannot be used in LAN matches.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The NTSC-J (Japan) version features 711 cars, including 13 vehicles not present in North American or European releases. Some cars like the Toyota ESSO ULTRAFLO Supra (JGTC) '01 are exclusive to NTSC-J and PAL versions. The Japanese version supports save data import from Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, a feature absent in the North American release as GT4 Prologue was not sold in that region. License test vehicles differ between regional versions. PlayStation 2 consoles are region-locked; Japanese NTSC-J discs require a Japanese console or region modification to play.
Maintenance Tips
PlayStation 2 discs should be handled by the edges and stored in their cases when not in use. Clean fingerprints or dust with a microfiber cloth, wiping straight from the center hole outward — circular wiping follows the data spiral and amplifies damage. The PS2 laser lens can accumulate dust over time; if the console struggles to read discs, a lens cleaning kit designed for DVD players can help, though opening the console to manually clean the lens is more effective for persistent issues. Gran Turismo 4's 1080i output mode requires a component cable and a display that supports 1080i input — composite or S-Video cables will default to standard definition. Save data is stored on the memory card, not the disc; back up your GT4 save file periodically to avoid losing garage progress if the memory card fails.
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Gran Turismo 4 copies regularly.
Will the Japanese NTSC-J version of Gran Turismo 4 work on a North American or European PlayStation 2?
PlayStation 2 consoles are region-locked, so a Japanese NTSC-J disc will not run on an unmodified North American or European PS2. The Japanese version includes 711 cars with 13 vehicles not found in other regional releases, and supports data import from GT4 Prologue — a feature not available in the North American version. To play the Japanese version, you need a Japanese PlayStation 2 console or a region-modified system. The game content is primarily in Japanese, though racing gameplay transcends language barriers.
Does Gran Turismo 4 require any special accessories or memory card space?
Gran Turismo 4 requires approximately 230 KB of memory card space for save data. The game supports the PlayStation 2 Network Adapter for LAN multiplayer (up to six players), though this is optional — the core single-player experience requires only the console, controller, and a standard 8MB memory card. Custom cars cannot be used in LAN matches. The Japanese version can import save data from GT4 Prologue if you have both games.
My PS2 game disc has scratches — will Gran Turismo 4 still play?
PlayStation 2 discs use DVD format and are vulnerable to scratches, particularly on the data side. Light surface scratches usually do not affect playback, but deep scratches that reach the reflective layer can cause loading errors or freezes during races. Clean the disc gently with a soft microfiber cloth in straight lines from center to edge — never in circles, as circular scratching follows the data track and causes more damage. If the disc skips or freezes at specific tracks or menus, the damage may have corrupted that portion of the data. Professional disc resurfacing can sometimes recover heavily scratched discs, but deep gouges are often permanent.
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