Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5785 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2006-07-28
• Platform: PlayStation2

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 06 on is all about speed, competition and fast-paced action. If you're a novice, switch on the improved driver and racing aids to race for fun, or turn them off for a full length Grand Prix experience if you're a Formula One professional. Formula One 06 features the ability to Network Play between PlayStation 2 and PSP. This means players can now compete online across platforms to see who the fastest Formula One 06 racer is. In other words, if you own the PlayStation 2 version of the game and your friend owns the PSP version, you can still compete on the same circuit.

For the first time, the experienced Studio Liverpool development team has been hard at work on both titles, to ensure the 2006 games remain innovative and fresh.

Brand new features include:

• Accessibility: Thanks to new racing aids, any gamer can pick-up and play Formula One 06 and enjoy the exhilaration of driving a Formula One car. Equally, if you're a confirmed F1 driver, you can scale the gameplay to make it more simulation oriented. Either way, you will have access to a Tips and Learning Centre to constantly improve your racing skills
• Cross Platform: Race online between all PlayStation platforms!
• Realism: Race in this year's championship with all the 2006 drivers, cars, teams, circuits and rules!

So... take a seat, put on your racing gloves and get ready to experience the action-packed racing fun that is Formula One 06 on PlayStation 2.

Customer Reviews

Nearly there, Studio Liverpool
I am a huge F1 fan and own three of Studio Liverpool's previous F1 games; F102, F104 and F106. "Why the gaps?" you may ask. Well because I have always realised the potential the programmers have for a well-designed F1 racing experience but they had never quite managed it and so I gave them a year off each year to improve...I don't like wasting money! Although, I must admit that I rented F1 2005 from a rental store (based on F104's potential) just to see what it was like. It was better but still not quite there (still too many bugs).

So now I own F1 2006 and I have to admit, I was plesantly surprised. The handling of the cars is a HUGE improvement (I'd even go as far as calling it exciting - I use a Speedster Fanatec steering wheel by the way). The way cars accelerate now does seem to take account of the smoothness of the track (i.e. if it's bumpy, the acceleration is staggered) and also way the car reacts to the rumble strips is superb - you're even punished if you take too much curb at a corner; the car will spin just like a real F1 car. Cars oversteer AND understeer and when you apply opposite lock to an oversteering car, it actually affects the car (unlike previous versions!) Also, in F105 I could easily lap 2secs faster than other drivers - this doesn't happen in F106 game - I do love a challenge and this game has it.

The AI "when racing" has also improved immensly - I say "when racing" because if you're practising or qualifying, then the AI is awful. If you slow down to let a car behind pass you (say you're mentally preparing for a quick qualifying next lap, it will pass by about 10ft in front and then slow down until you pass it back again!! Also, there are some corners where opponents take ages to accelerate out of it (same problem as in previous versions). Also, I would have liked to see cars in front actually take different driving lines to try and stop me slipstreaming them (like in TOCA 3 - worked v. well). So yes, it's an exciting, improved and enjoyable game...but it still has way too many bugs:

- When exiting the Canadian or French GP pit lanes, as soon as you pass the speed limit line you should be able to drive away at any speed you wish (well, in the real world anyway), however in this game and for some unknown reason, you accelerate to about 110 and then the car suddenly limits itself to 60mph!
- As in previous games, they still can't get the damage physics right. Don't get me wrong, they have improved a lot (wobbly wheels, punctured tyres (new addition), losing a wheel) but as with previous games, if you hit the car in front square in the rear, 80% of the time your wheel starts to wobble instead of your front wing taking damage.
- The Renault car is undrivable, purely because the engine has a horrible whirring sound which really grates on the hearing (there's always one crap-sounding car in each F1 game). The other cars sound great BTW.
- If I knock my rear wing off, I should be able to "slowly" return to the pits to have it replaced...in the real world. But no, it automatically retires you from the race.
- Altering in-game brake bias and traction control was easy in F105(directional control up = TC up one setting). Now it's a nightmare: to move TC up one setting, you (whilst driving at 200+mph!) push up once or twice(!) on directional control, then left to alter - to change the brake bias by one setting can take upto 4 moves..why so many instead of the previous 1 S-Liverpool??
- You can't save (or load) your own chosen car setups (i.e. if qualy turns wet, you can't retrieve a previously-saved wet setup or a set up from another similar track.
- I want to alter wing settings one degree at a time, not 5% each time!
Parade lap is a semi-welcome feature (you can turn it off thankfully), but it won't let you pass a car in front. Now, I know you'd incur a penalty in the real world but isn't this game supposed to be a simulation??
- My racing TC is set to 0%, 55% and 65% - 0% because if I spin, I want to give it full throttle to spin the car around the right way. However, it is impossible to spin the car in this game!
- Personal flaw: on approaching the pits, I'd love to apply my own speed limiter and drive into my own pit box not be subjected to a tedious autodrive function. I guess this is down to PS2 limitations but if not, sort it out Studio Liverpool!
- Bugs are annoying!!!

To summarise, hugely improved game but still contains those stupid bugs S-Liverpool seem to be renowned for. I am glad I bought it though and I dare say I'll probably break from the norm and buy F107...or rent it first! Top top: if you want an F1 "sim", go for TOCA 3 - the 80s and 90s F1 cars are spot on (2000s are crap, v. unrealistic).

F1 2006
First of all I have to say great game I generally fingd that driving games for me don't usually work on the Playstation because of my disability As when I play Formula 1 games generally I usually end up hitting the barrier before I even complete my first lap. Without the so called driving aids F1 cars are impossible to control (and I find this frustrating as I like to at least have a shot at scoring points and winning races) on most games so in future Sony it may be a good idea to include them in future releases.
I had been looking to buy a more modern f1 game (as I wanted one with the new rules and points system because my old game for the PC has the old 12 lap qualifying system and 6 points positions whereas now there are 8.) for some time) but due to findding them to hard I hadn't bothered with them F1 06 is different at last I have found a game with up to date rules that I am compatible with. If you have a physical disability and you love racing games then f1 06 is the game for you As for carrer mode I have always wanted a game with that option and F1 06 has sorted that too. Thank you F1 06 for solving my needs

For real fans.
I am a huge F1 fan and have been buying these games for years. I found last year to be a let down, as was the last season, so the game can be only as good as the series in real life. This game, since I brought it has not been out of my PS2. The graphics are super, the career mode is improved and the cars are more realistic than ever. So what, there is no option to be a technical director, if its not there you cant miss it, why would you want to be, the point of this game is to drive 200mph down the main straight at Monza! Overall, great game for real F1 fans who will watch a race, then jump straight in to their own driving career in the switch of a Button. Bring on the next version!