Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #205 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2007-03-23
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
• Number of items: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review

In a nutshell:
The most exciting Formula One season for a long time has spawned a console simulation to match with long awaited new online modes and some surprising PSP connectivity options…

The lowdown:
Owning the official FIA license means this game is the only one with all the real 2006 drivers, cars, teams, circuits and rules – but thankfully there’s more to this game than dull simulation. In fact this year’s iteration prides itself on being accessible to everyone with scalable driving aids for every skill level. There’s also a new online version for all versions, where you can compete in a full 18 race season with real human opponents. Other welcome new additions include taking the options of playing as chief engineer through the existing career mode and more subtle change such as computer driven cars that make believable mistakes instead of just robotically keeping to the racing line.

Most exciting moment:
Since the PS2 and PSP versions are coming out at the same time you’re able to transfer data between each, you can even race other players online on the other version, no matter which console they’re playing on.

Since you ask:
Although little is known about the PS3 version of the game so far Sony has demonstrated a way to connect the PSP to it and use the portable console as a fully interactive wing mirror – displaying exactly what is going on behind you in full 3D.

The bottom line:
The PS2 and PSP are in pole position for this welcome racing update.
HARRISON DENT

Manufacturer's Description
Formula One Championship Edition uses the inherent power of PlayStation 3 to deliver an unprecedented level of realism in recreating the Formula One experience, allowing players to get closer to the sport than ever before.

As the only official interactive game of the FIA Formula One World Championship, this is the chance for gamers to rewrite the 2006 season with all the official drivers, teams, cars, circuits and racing rules. Enhanced driving aids allow Formula One newcomers to enjoy the exhilaration and thrill of the sport while online play will demonstrate who the real world champion is with a full 22-car grid. Adding to the fun, PlayStation 3's Sixaxis Wireless Controller will enable gamers to discover a new way of racing with its motion sensing technology.

Loaded with high definition visuals, full surround sound audio, extensive circuit details and lighting effects, progressive car damage and changing weather conditions, Formula One Championship Edition is the only way to fully interact with the sport. Gamers will experience the real pressure of a grand prix race thanks to interactive pit stops, formations laps, unexpected collisions and race incidents. Formula One has evolved, welcome to the next level in racing.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, but a few annoyances...
I bought a PS3 console purely for this game (although I now have other games). The graphics are good (but GT5 and GRID shows it could have been better) Career mode over 5 seasons is excellent, trying to win the championship by the end. The car Evolution is good so long as you can drive consistent laps and the SIXAXIS control is surprisingly good. The annoyances though... In practice or time trial you are driving with the sun low in the sky making it it VERY hard to see where you are going, it would have been nice to select time of day! Once you enter an GP weekend in career mode you cannot save your progress until you complete the weekend, which could mean 6 hours driving! The interactive pitstops are rubbish, having to push buttons as they appear on the screen to get a good time, what has this to do with real F1? Why not just base it on how accurately you can drive into the pit box, like the real thing. And James Allan's commentary is very limited and repetitive, and refers to me as "You", on a PS3 it should be able to call me by my name (see GRID for this) and have a lot more variety in the comments. Finally there is no telemetry, so although you can adjust EVERYTHING on the car, you cannot analyse the effect, all you can do is drive and see if you are quicker or if it feels better, which is not good enough (or my driving, and indeed real F1 drivers, isn't good enough). See the PC Geoff Crammond F1GP games for how his should be Sony!

However, having said all of this, it is still the best F1 game I have ever played. Well worth getting, but I am looking forward to the next PS3 F1 game, as Codemasters (GRID is by them, download the demo and see how good it is!) now have the licence, not Sony, so it will not be until 2009 but should be good.

Real F1
The truth is that this game is ultra realistic. it is as close to realism as you are gonna get.its an amazing game and very addictive. its not fun its bloody hard work trying to keep up with other cars in a super aguri on hard!!!

Nowhere near as good as the PS2 version
Formula One 2006 was brilliant on the ps2, one of my favourite racing games ever. I can't understand why nobody seems to mention the unbelievably annoying glare from sunlight in this ps3 version though, as well as the darkness when there are shadows etc. You can't even see the track a lot of the time. That being said, the graphics are stunning.

However, the gameplay isn't a patch on the ps2 version. The cars don't quite feel right, and because of the lack of vibration on the ps3 control pads you don't feel the bumps in the track. Plus, sony really should have updated the teams and drivers, don't see why it was released without lewis hamilton in the game.

Hopefully the next installment will be much better, but for now i'm sticking to the ps2 version.