Gran Turismo 5 Prologue price and release date set

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for the PS3 will finally be dropping here in the States on April 17th. The game will go for $39.99 and you will have the choice of downloading the game from the PlayStation Store or buying the disc copy. The hard copy will come with a bonus behind-the-scenes video called "Beyond the Apex".

There will be over 60 cars to choose from and will support up to 16 players online all at a beautiful 60 frames per second and 1080p.  The new cockpit view will allow you to see all of your gauges and animations in real time adding more realism to one of the most realistic racing games on the market as it is. GT5P will of course utilize the new DualShock 3 controller when it finally comes out here too. Finally, GT5P will also be launching Gran Turismo TV, which is a dedicated online channel that will have motorsport programming and manufacturer content.

Maybe it's because I'm so easy to please, but little bits of detail like real time gauge simulation gets me excited. They have put in so much detail and realism as it is that it just blows my mind to see them even do something like this. Hit the jump for the PR and let us know how happy you PS3 owners are now that you're getting a triple A title finally.  

Gran Turismo(TM) 5 Prologue Races to North America on April 17 Exclusively on 

                               PLAYSTATION(R)3

     Billion Dollar Selling Franchise Sets Date and Price for the Racing 

                         Phenomenon's Next Iteration

    FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment 

America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the April 17 North American ship date for 

Gran Turismo(TM)5 Prologue, available exclusively on PLAYSTATION(R)3 

(PS3(TM)).  Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will 

be available for $39.99 SRP on Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) and as a download via 

PLAYSTATION(R)Store.  The BD version will offer added value with an exclusive 

behind-the-scenes High Definition (HD) video feature called "Beyond the Apex."

    Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, an intense precursor to Gran Turismo(TM)5, 

features over 60 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as 

Ferrari, Audi and Nissan.  Users will experience the vehicle-specific physics 

technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is 

renowned for.  Additionally, for the first time in the history of the 

franchise, users can race online -- at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 

1080p HD* -- with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks 

from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway(R) and a 

London City track.

    "Ten years following the introduction of Gran Turismo(TM) on PS one(R), 

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers the most realistic and technologically 

advanced racing experience on any platform," said Jeff Reese, director, 

software marketing, SCEA.  "With 1080p graphics, revolutionary online features 

like Gran Turismo(TM) TV and the new in-cockpit racing view, the world's

best-selling racing franchise will once again set the standard for racing 

games."

    Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature various innovative and revolutionary 

modes to harness PS3 system's capabilities while further developing an 

automotive lifestyle and global community.  Among them is Gran Turismo(TM)TV, 

a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from 

PLAYSTATION(R)Network that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and 

manufacturer content.  Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support 

online racing events to foster community competition.  A new in-cockpit view 

will provide a unique perspective for racers and features real-time gauges and 

human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling 

of each vehicle.  To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 

Prologue is also compatible with the new DUALSHOCK(R)3 controller, which has 

vibration functionality.