PC Video Game Help

[aud19]

I'm WAAAAAAAAY out of the video game loop... the most recent game I have is NHL 2004 ops:

So I'm hoping to get some some suggestions for what's good in the way of car racing games for PC's.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions :T

[dyazdani]

Are you looking for more simulation type games or "new age" racing (Need for Speed, etc)?

One of the best racing sims for PC is F1 Championship '99-'02, by EA Sports. It's a great game and there are still a lot of people that play and mod despite it being a little older.

I've tried some of the NASCAR series, but going around a oval just doesn't float my canoe.

The MotoGP games up to now have been slightly more arcade style (I have MotoGP 06 for the 360 and it's a bit better). I do have Superbike 2001 which is more in the league of the F1 game. It's quite nice though a bit older, graphics and such are still pretty decent.

I don't play the arcade types like Burnout or Need for Speed, so I can't comment much on them.

I've got a site that is dedicated to racing games bookmarked at home, I'll update the thread tonight.

[P-Dub]

I haven't played a computer game in quite some time. I've always wanted to play a F1 type game, but never got around to buying the games.

I have spent more time playing with my Xbox and PS2 and they are quite fun.

[kirknelson]

You might check out TOCA Race Driver. The original was very good, the second one was ok (very good physics but the campaign was annoying and they tried to do too much and ended up not doing anything really well). The new one is supposed to be a bit more refined though it is still a multi-format racer.

Most of the good racing games (like GTR) are only on the console for some reason. I guess sims just don't sell well these days as I don't see very many flight sims, etc. Especially when compared to what was around in the late '90s.

[aud19]

Are you looking for more simulation type games or "new age" racing (Need for Speed, etc)?

Well I'm not familiar with any of those so I guess Need for Speed or something similar to a Gran Turismo...? Definitely no NASCAR :nonod:

[P-Dub]

I've played Need for Speed 2, that's old, and it was a lot of fun. Quick to learn and a decent selection of tracks. You could also download different cars.

The graphics are nothing compared to games today. I was running it on my Celeron 300 OC to 450 and my TNT video card.

Hmm, I may have to drop by with my PS2 and hook up Gran Tourismo 4, you've got a FPTV right?

[aud19]

51 RPTV :lol:

[dyazdani]

I've got MotoGP 2006, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Forza for my 360 - it's quite fun on teh FPTV. I'll get Forza 2 when it comes out. I wish they'd make a new F1 game soon.

[aud19]

Why aren't Gran Turismo and Forza available on PC...? :cry:

[dyazdani]

Not sure...anyone tried using a driving wheel? I've always wanted one, but never broke down to buy one.

[aud19]

I just ordered these yesterday:

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/fp32/color-view/fp32.jpg

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/fp51/back-view/fp51.jpg

no wheel though :lol:

[Vinny]

Need for speed most wanted? I played it on driving wheel and addicted to it last year. Never tried Froza but people always compared it with Gran Turismo 4. Also bought PS2 because of the Gran Turismo 4 2years ago, and the driving wheel from logitech(something force pro... don't recall the name) works on a computer too!
Used to play the racing games with joypad back in PS/GT2 days, but can never go back to joypad for driving games now :B

But the biggest fun was really need for speed for me. GT4 occupied me less than 3weeks before it joined with dust colony. And rumor spreads that GT5's coming out with PS3 as well.

However, try Elder Scroll: Oblivion if you like ARPG. It is definitely the game for the year. I was playing it until 6am every day for a long period of time :B

(just figured the game was most wanted not underground ops: )

[Chris D]

I have a MOMO force feedback steering wheel. Awesome. Haven't used it in a long, long time, though. I need to dig it out.

[dyazdani]

I have a MOMO force feedback steering wheel. Awesome. Haven't used it in a long, long time, though. I need to dig it out.

That's the one I had planned on getting... now I want one for the 360 though.

[dyazdani]

Here's a link to a simulation site with lots of info! There's one more I'm still looking for...

EDIT: Found it! Blackhole Motorsports

[dyazdani]

Check this game out! Got game of the year from BH Motorsports. Looks cool, I will check it out further tonight - and try the demo.

[aud19]

I've also had GTR and GT legends and Test Drive Unlimited (once it comes out) recommended on another forum.

[dyazdani]

I've also had GTR and GT legends and Test Drive Unlimited (once it comes out) recommended on another forum.

Yep, GTR and GT Legends are both very good. I haven't played Test Drive, but it did come out for the XBOX 360...I may try it one day.

I played the demo of Live For Speed. Pretty decent game, but I've only tried it with the mouse and KB. I need to get my gamepad hooked back up.

[dyazdani]

I'm also downloading netKar Pro, it is pretty popular on the sim side. Grand Prix 4 is a bit hard to find and when you do, it's expensive.

I'm bidding on a Thrustmaster Enzo wheel, it's pretty nice - I'd rather have the MOMO, but this one can be found for 1/3 the price on eBay.

[Chris D]

I'm just playing Lego Star Wars II now... keyboard only, although I do occasionally use my Belkin gaming pad too.

[dyazdani]

I've finished all 3 episodes on LSWII, but I have to go back and try to get the rest of the items. It will take quite a while.

[Chris D]

Yeah, I suppose that's all the fun part!

[dyazdani]

Yeah, I suppose that's all the fun part!

The thing for me is that the game isn't really hard to get through. The fun parts are getting all the characters and bricks/vehicles/bonus levels.

[dyazdani]

Jason, if you decide to try the netKar game, let me know. I had trouble getting it to run, but eventually figured it out. It's pretty fun, very realistic - you even have to start the car first.

[dyazdani]

Played LFS a bit more this evening, it's actually quite good - have to get the controls adjusted right though or you can't hardly play. There's not traditional sensitivity/dead zone adjustments so it takes some tweaking.

It's almost tempting to buy the full version, but I think I'll start playing F1 Challenge some more, maybe find some online games...

[dyazdani]

Oh, and this is a sweet computer racing vid check it out

[dyazdani]

Just won this on eBay today...

[Chris D]

Yay, Dan!

[aud19]

Nice :T

[dyazdani]

I got my wheel today! It's pretty sweet, but it was "slightly" broken - cracked around where the wheel attaches to the "steering column" i.e. the base that houses the force feedback motor and gearing. If you aren't careful, you could tear the wheel off the base.

I've got it patching with JB Weld at the moment, don't think it's worth going through the run-around with UPS over the $15 purchase when the DIY should work fine.

I'll take pics when I get things resolved.

[dyazdani]

Here's my setup...working towards being able to run this on my fptv...

[aud19]

Cool

[Chris D]

Yeah, I'd have to search, but there's a frame that you can buy for wheels like that, which will position the wheel and pedals for you, like a real car, as you're sitting in your lounge chair or whatever. So you can use the system in your theater. I'd love to have one.

[dyazdani]

Yeah, I'd have to search, but there's a frame that you can buy for wheels like that, which will position the wheel and pedals for you, like a real car, as you're sitting in your lounge chair or whatever. So you can use the system in your theater. I'd love to have one.

Yep, I'm already working on a DIY design. There are some nice commercial ones, but they're more than I want to spend.

[kirknelson]

I don't know if you have access to it but the magazine "Home Theater Builder" published design plans for a DIY racing wheel stand a year or so back.

[dyazdani]

I don't know if you have access to it but the magazine "Home Theater Builder" published design plans for a DIY racing wheel stand a year or so back.

There are some race sime forums that have a lot of info, that's where I've looked so far. I'll see if I can find a copy of the article.

Thanks for the tip!

[Chris D]

Ah, you mean the same "Home Theater Builder Magazine" that I write for, Kirk? Yeah, I need to dig that issue back out of my stash.

(I grew up near Castle Rock, BTW)