Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3183 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Koei
• Released on: 2008-02-15
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Number of items: 1

Manufacturer's Description
G1 Jockey 4 lets you take the reins and experience the feeling of being a top racehorse jockey. This fourth game in the hugely popular series introduces a new ranking system and abilities, as well a revolutionary analogue control system that gives you the most realistic horseracing experience yet. From the massively improved environments and animation, to the introduction of horse breeding, G1 Jockey 4 is a game that any true horse racing fan will revel in.

Beginning as a rookie you can compete in a variety of thrilling races and strive to improve your skills and thus gain access to better racehorses. You can choose how you want to progress go for short-term goals such as raising your rank and winning prizes, or aim for the top and secure your place as a horse racing legend.

Customer Reviews

Great for hardcore racing fans...and anyone else if they have a bit of patience
I'm a complete novice when it comes to the G1 Jockey series, but after playing attheraces presents Gallop Racer, I decided to give G1 Jockey 4 a go. For anyone else new to these games, I'll explain a bit more about it.

There are two modes of gameplay; Trial mode, in which you choose to rerun famous races and hone your racing skills, with either 1 or 2 players, and Story mode, which constitutes the main bulk of the game. There is also a tutorial, which is invaluable to G1 Jockey 4 as there are a great many things to learn.

Firstly, in Story Mode, you pick a name, jockey and silks and take part in mock races at the academy, after which you will graduate as an apprentice. You choose a trainer and stable,from whom you will either be offered or request horses to ride. Based on your relationship with them, you will meet more trainers, be offered more horses and increase your skills and rank, until you can take part in the most prestigious G1 races.

Now the most important part: the horses. Each horse is different, with different characteristics which will either help or hinder you through the race. If you impress its trainer, it will be offered to you as a regular ride. You can also take it for a workout before the race to perfect its skills. Once a year you also have the option of breeding your own from those available at the stable, naming it and training it until its debut, with a various selection of exercises.
The graphics are impressive and the horses are very realistic.

However, G1 Jockey 4 requires a great deal of patience. With so much to learn in order to run a race, some people may be put off - it will be quite a while before you will be able to win races, even in easy mode. The tutorial is helpful, as is the manual, but even with the choice of two control modes you are often required to press several buttons at once in order to execute a vital move.

On the other hand, this ensures that the game has longevity. Once you have mastered the controls, G1 Jockey 4 becomes a fun and rewarding game to play, as the rather steep learning curve means that you are continually learning and improving as a jockey.

If you are new to this format or are more interested in horses, I would suggest attheraces presents Gallop Racer (aka Gallop Racer 2003: A New Breed), as it is more light-hearted and you take the role of both manager, jockey and horse breeder. That said, it is definitely worth a try; I would recommend renting before buying.

Neigh..it ain't that bad at all!!!!
Having played all of the G1 Jockey series I can confirm that this is by far the best version. Everything has been updated and improved. Graphics are more impressive than before, the control system has been changed and although it is slightly harder I don't think this is a bad thing. The computer AI is better and is not easy to defeat. If you love horses you will love this game. You do have a genuine emotional bond to any regular ride and winning with a late, lunging run is great fun and gets the heart pumping! It is easy to criticise but I don't think this is a game you just pick up and play. Although you can in the challenge mode in career mode (or story as the game calls it) you are going to have to practice to be good enough to be champion jockey. Its also a little lame in terms of the jumping side of the game. There is no hurdles element to the game which makes up an important element of the National Hunt racing culture in Britain and Ireland. All in all though its a rewarding game and in my opinion great fun. It won't be to everyone's taste but you don't eat food you don't like and if you don't like Horse racing you won't buy this game anyway. If you do then prepare for a barrel of laughs! Superb! Got to go now - I'm on a good thing in a Group 3!!!!

Excellent improvements, but not perfect yet
G1 Jockey 4, is mostly an improvement on G1 Jockey 3. The substory part of the game is greatly improved with the ability to breed your own horse for the flat or jumps and train it, using a variety of workouts to give it strengths and weaknesses.

The gameplay is pretty much the same as the previous version of the game. Starting off as an apprentice, and working your way to more wins, titles and gaining trust and respect from trainers to ride better horses. Again the horses have names very close to recent "real" horses...such as "Alex Goldrun" and "Rule Of Lawyer", which all adds to the fun.

There are two options for the controls, to use the old controls from version 3, or the new "touchy-feely" controls. Depending where you buy your game, you can get a free "add on" for your controller, which joins the analogue sticks together and simulates the movement for horse reins; it sounds great but I have found the new controls somewhat difficult. Somehow you're supposed to be able to push along your horse and have an extra hand left over to press other buttons to change legs, change whip techniques and so on. I quickly went back to the old controls from 3.

The game still hasn't got the riding of the horses quite as good as they could. It isn't as good as the riding in "Gallop Racer 2". And the limitations on the number of anonymous tracks does seem a bit dull. The jumping races have vastly improved though and you can actually fall off. All in all a great game for horse racing lovers, but still lacking a certain something.