I am not a big video game fan, but I really enjoy the Gran Turismo series. The newest installment, Gran Turismo 4, is scheduled for release on Feb. 22. I have been waiting years for this game to come out. For anyone who's not familiar with the series, the Gran Turismo games are created as "racing simulators," rather than a video game. They employ real car-specific physics, record actual engine sounds for each vehicle, and in this newest title I am waiting for they have re-created sections of times square and many world famous race tracks to race on. They claim there will be over 600 cars to race with.

The Mercedes selections are not bad, it includes the old 300sl gullwing, a new SL55 AMG, a 92 190e 2.5, an E55 AMG a 98 A160 (what is that?), and a few others. I was hoping for a 500E, but what can you do? The Mercedes-Mclaren SLR is not listed, but the last game (Gran Turismo 3) had many cars that you had to "unlock" by playing the game, and I am hoping the SLR is an "unlockable" in this game as well.

If anyone is into car racing games, video games, or car racing in general, I would recommend trying this game when it comes out. It is, of course, nowhere near the real thing, but it is as close as you can get while sitting on your couch.

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headrivenoise... listen.