If you've experienced the fun side of 10,000 rpm and 0-60 in under 4 seconds, pay attention to this Polyphony release.
Purists can opt for the titular Tourist Trophy mode, which tasks you with earning licenses a la GT4, and acquiring bikes suitable for over 24 3-race series. For newcomers to Polyphony and the GT model, die-hard or casual bike fans alike, Tourist Trophy offers a gorgeous two-wheeled playground.
Unfortunately, for those who poured hours into GT4, this game begins to feel eerily familiar after the first half-hour. The menu sounds are taken straight from GT4, as is the entire menu format. One shouldn't fix what isn't broken, but a touch of differentiation may have been in order. The physics are astounding, as we've come to expect from Polyphony, but there is no sense of attachment to the bikes in your garage. The game doesn't use a currency system, opting instead for timed challenges. Pick a bike in or below your license level, and race 1 opponent for three laps. Overtake him and stay ahead for ten seconds, and the bike is yours. You'll accumulate so many, that the trademark "Congratulations!" screen becomes just another waypoint between races. The difficulty level leaves much to be desired as well. Again, with the slightest familiarity with GT4, you'll have every track in TT down so cold, the opposition often stands no chance.
Still, this is a worthy two-wheeled playground, and if you enjoy bikes, there really isn't a better option out there. Its Greatest Hits status leaves it at a no-brainer price point, too. Polyphony has shown an intense enthusiasm for cars with its High-Def GT5 offerings. Tourist Trophy upholds their well-deserved reputation for technical excellence. It just leaves you wishing they'd had time to program in a little passion as well...