Christmas Gift Ideas: From Console To Simulator—To Race Track?

When it comes to video game consoles, there’s a fierce battle between Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. Fighting for their market share, each company is racing to get its consoles into as many homes as possible.

They’re all up to speed when it comes to car racing games, and there’s a series for each console.

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• Microsoft has the Forza Motorsport series: Launched in 2005, the sixth edition of this driving simulator has just come out.
• Sony is dominated by Gran Turismo: The industry-leading simulator first came out in 1997 and has navigated its way through all four generations of the PlayStation console.
• Nintendo has Mario Kart: This is a totally different experience. It’s not as precise and doesn’t offer the same quality graphics as the two others, and yet it’s the best seller. Go figure!

For car buffs of all ages, these games are a new way of living out their fantasies. Not only can you break every rule in the Highway Code, you can even learn. The first two games will teach you some neat stuff about automobile history and the ideal line to follow on a track. Yes, there are even people who memorize the Nürburgring track by heart before going there, not to mention an entire generation that was introduced to the Nissan GTR R34 and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution by playing Japanese games.  

If you think that this is a senseless hobby that leads nowhere, think again. In the past few years, we’ve seen a number of young competitive race car drivers who started their careers in the comfort of their living rooms!