Gran Turismo 4 gets first place...but it's a close first.
Just by looking at race replays, the incredible visuals are evident. Every car model looks noticeably different from the rest, and considering there are over 300 cars to choose from, it's no mean feat. The best part is that the game handles almost as good as it looks. The controls are quite accurate, which is a very good thing considering the amount of precision required. Realistic physics are one of the game's most notable differences from others, and precise movements are absolutely key to every race - one false move, and you'll be left behind. This seems kind of unfair to new players, but what can really get on one's nerves is the unforgiving difficulty. There isn't much of an "easy" mode - all of the CPU cars follow the best line like trains on a track, and they utilize perfectly calculated technique. The only way to make the race easier/harder is to give them slower/faster cars.
In most racing games and franchises, such as Need For Speed, a good part of the game is devoted to a career mode of some kind, and GT4 is no exception. Although there really is no story, it focuses on the career of the next up-and-coming sport racer: you. There are no cutscenes, no colorful backstories, nothing of the sort. It mostly boils down to hundreds (yes, hundreds) of arcade races, occasionally interrupted by license tests (required for more challenging races) and trips to the tune shop to power up your 4-door sedan. Yes, that's right - the first car you start with will most likely be a used, 90's-era sedan.
From that point onward, that car will be your only hope of winning races. Do not expect to trade up anytime soon, because all of the better cars are either expensive or are the prizes for difficult events. The process of earning money involves - just what you wanted - playing the same race over and over until you can upgrade further. To make matters worse, most of the beginner prize cars are either not powerful enough or "not qualified" for racing. Why this is so, I have no clue.
The career mode is honestly the best and worst part of the game. Multiplayer tends to not be as fast and furious as the career mode, although it is entertaining. Arcade mode and time trials are played within the career mode anyway, so those are both somewhat redundant.
For those who want racing in one of its purest forms, this is the game for you. Anyone looking for a realistic car simulator (or have always wanted to drive a Japanese micro-car from the 50's) will also be able to enjoy the game thoroughly. This can't be recommended to anyone looking for Need For Speed-type thrills, however. A solid racing game from beginning to end, GT4 stands out as being very high quality with few drawbacks.