This is the first (and currently the only) entry in the Gran Turismo racing series to be released on a handheld system.
Gran Turismo is a driving simulator released for the PSP handheld system. It was released simultaneously in UMD form in retail stores and as a digital download in the PlayStation Store. This iteration of the game introduced several new car manufacturers to the series, including Lamborghini and Bugatti, and the addition of a drift challenge mode. The series's trademark License Tests make a return, but this time as an optional full fledged campaign that will hone your skills. The game contains over 800 licensed cars (including off road / rally vehicles, pickup trucks, concept cars, and racing modified vehicles) and over 40 different race tracks. (although many of those cars and tracks are merely variations of one another, with some vehicles appearing and performing identically to one another) Players are allowed to transfer their Gran Turismo garage into their Gran Turismo 5 garage.
Data Install
Gran Turismo for PSP offers a data install option. This means that players who own the game on UMD disc rather than as a digital download are still able to install the game to their memory stick, reducing load times and eliminating disc reading. (Thereby eliminating disc read noise and marginally improving battery life.) However even when using data install, the game disc is still required to play.
Save file restriction
Gran Turismo for PSP restricts your save file to whatever system it was created on. If you want to replace or upgrade your PSP, or play the game on Vita, you will not be able to carry over any of the vehicles or credits you've accumulated, nor your progress through the game. To play on a different PSP, you will have to create a new save file and start the game over from the beginning. (Which includes having to unlock the custom soundtrack option all over again.)
Custom soundtrack
Gran Turismo for PSP offers the option to use a custom soundtrack, allowing the player to use any mp3 music files stored on their PSP system as the soundtrack during gameplay. (not menus) This feature must first be unlocked by completing the first set of driving challenges. This is relatively easy to do, as the player is only required to get at least a bronze on each event. Getting silvers or golds are not required.
Two options are presented for custom soundtrack. The player can choose to have the game use all music stored in the Music folder on their PSP, or to only look at a specific folder within the Music folder that must be specifically named.
Enabling custom soundtrack option disables the default soundtrack entirely. (There is no way to use music from the default soundtrack while adding your own.) Even if choose not to enable custom soundtrack, there is no way to disable specific music tracks from the default soundtrack. Likewise, the only way to disable a music track in your custom soundtrack is to exit the game and delete that music track.
