F1 1999-2002 (PC Game Review)

This is the perfect virtual racing experience!

For some reason, Grand Prix 4 (GP4), stopped working on my PC, after I upgraded my system's hardware. That was very bad news, since GP4 virtual racing was all the gymnastics I had :).

I tried to solve the problem, by reinstalling the game, applying all known patches, and trying different nVidia drivers, but I had no success. One year before, exactly the same thing had happened with Grand Prix Legends (GPL). This time, incapable of resting my virtual racing boots, I had to find a decent alternative!

Looking back now, I was lucky GP4 stopped working…

I installed Electronic Arts' F1 1999-2002 (F19902), with no great expectations – I had played the 2001 version, and found it low on realism. This time, I was simply amazed!

Let me put it bluntly: F1 1999-2002 is perfect. It is a shame, but I can't suggest a single improvement to the game! The graphics are fast, yet astonishingly faithful to all the details, on cars and on tracks! However, graphics are much less important than handling, and this is where this software surpasses everything else known on the gaming universe!

A relatively modest MS Sidewinder Force Feedback steering wheel should be enough for you to understand why. Just turn off all the “aids”, such traction control, automatic gears and braking help, and you'll fell how hard it is to drive a F1 on the limit. Make sure you use separate axis for throttle and brakes, set your opponents to the realistic 100% strength, and try beating them! Ah ah! You'll be sweating, in no time!

Yes, F19902 is that good. It is perfect good. One of its most shocking features is the audio realism. If you have ever been to a F1 race, you'll know how brutal are those engines and how short of their violence games rest, with the notable exception of GPL.

I have my gaming PC connected to an Audiolab 8000A power amplifier, using high quality Energy loudspeakers and subwoofer (not Creative Labs' plastic…), and I can assure you that the screaming, the crunching and the you-name-it, is as real as loudspeakers of this world can go! Indeed, very impressive!

Whenever I try to drive a fast lap, I have to literally sweat. And that is not only because I am out of shape, but also and mostly, because it is simply challenging. It is very hard to keep up with the front runners! After a few hours you may challenge the Minardis, but it will take many days to challenge the Ferraris. You'll have to learn how to setup the car, how to match it to the circuit and to your driving style. Don't just trust on other people's setups: they'll be using a different controller and having different pressure patters for throttling and braking.

As the name suggests, the game allows you to race in cars and circuits, from the 1999 season, to 2002's. Per se, this boosts the game's longevity a lot, but you're feed up with F1 cars, just search the Internet for mods, and your jaw will drop with their quality and price (free!). I strongly suggest the “Prototype-C” and “ETCC 2003” mods…

It is a crime, not to own this game.

You can buy this and/or related products here.

for european costumers:

title: F1 1999-2002 [just click to buy]
price: from £15.75
url: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000096KDO/arturmarques
ASIN: B000096KDO
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for american costumers:

title: F1 1999-2002 [just click to buy]
price: from $59.50
url: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008LUMT/arturmarquesc-20
ASIN: B00008LUMT
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for real time monetary conversions, please use the XE service.