Thumb Thing Wild; Strap on your sofa and fire up the PlayStation 2: Gran Turismo 3 is license to thrill.(Brief Article)(Evaluation)

The official slogan of Gran Turismo 3, ``The Drive of Your Life,'' could use a slight modification. Something like ``The Drive That Costs You a Life's Worth of Free Time'' is probably more appropriate considering how much couch-seat time Gran Turismo fanatics and novices alike will likely spend behind this massive video-game racing masterpiece.

Released July 10 in the United States after several months of delays, Gran Turismo 3: A-spec ($49.95), as it's officially known, was one of the most anticipated games for Sony's PlayStation 2 since its launch last November.

If you have to ask why folks have been frothing at the mouth to get behind the virtual wheel of this car geek's video-game paradise, then you've never played Gran Turismo.

The original Gran Turismo made its debut in May 1998 on Sony's PlayStation and it went on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide. The game was lauded for several reasons: The software realistically re-created vehicle physics, offered tons of vehicles to choose from, challenging tracks, super graphics, a vehicle modification system, license tests and financial rewards for winning races you could parlay into purchasing new vehicles or modifying old ones.

There are racing games that do some things better. Take for instance Grand Prix Legends' incredible simulation feel or the second-to-none rally experience the Colin McRae series provides. But no game on any gaming platform or computer system had ever been able to combine so many elements of the driving/automotive experience and wrap them up into one cohesive, relentlessly addictive racing package like Gran Turismo.

Gran Turismo 2, released in December 1999, went on to sell five million copies worldwide. It continued to build upon the foundation that made the original game great by adding slight modifications to the mix. The same can generally be said of GT3, but with one notable leap. Graphics. One look at this game and you'll see the difference.

Taking advantage of the increased processing power of the PlayStation 2, GT3's developers labored extensively to produce a visually stunning game. They succeeded in most areas-especially when it comes to the vehicles. Whether you're on the track, choosing a car or watching the amazing, photo-realistic race replays, the cars are the thing, and they look fantastic.