TOCA Touring Car series

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This article is about the video game series. For the organisers of the British Touring Car Championship, see TOCA.

TOCA is a racing video game series developed and published by Codemasters, initially focusing specifically on Touring car racing but more recently expanding to cover a wide variety of motorsport. Since the series began in 1997 with TOCA Touring Car Championship, the franchise has been released on PC, Sony PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, and Microsoft Xbox, with particular success in Europe and Australia where the motorsports featured are most popular. Since TOCA Race Driver, the fourth title in the series, each new game is released under different titles in different regions, such as Pro Race Driver in the US, DTM Race Driver in Germany, and V8 Supercars in Australia.

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[edit] TOCA Touring Car Championship

TOCA Touring Car Championship
Playstation version Box Art
Developer(s) Codemasters
Publisher(s) Codemasters, 3DO (USA), Upstar (Japan)
Platform(s) Playstation, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows
Release date(s) 1997
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

The first game of the series was released for the PC and PlayStation platforms in late 1997 in Europe, and in summer 1998 in the United States (as TOCA Championship Racing). Featuring all the licensed cars (not including privateers) and tracks from the 1997 British Touring Car Championship, the game was critically acclaimed by the European games press - especially on console where it was widely considered the best in its genre until the release of Gran Turismo several months later.

The drivers and cars featured in the game are:

Selecting a car places the player in the position of the first named driver for each team. That driver's name would then not appear in the race, and the player's name would appear instead. There was also two hidden cars which were a pink Cadillac and a tank. These were obtained by using a cheat code.

There were also the following tracks on this game. They were:

There is also a bonus track on the game but this is only unlocked when you complete the championship and win it. It is called Lavaland.

[edit] TOCA 2 Touring Cars

TOCA Touring Car Championship 2

PC version box art
Developer(s) Codemasters
Publisher(s) Codemasters
Platform(s) Playstation, Microsoft Windows
Release date(s) 1998
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

The success of the first TOCA game saw a sequel arrive a year later in 1998. Whilst mainly an annual franchise update of cars and tracks, the game did add more detailed graphics, physics, multiplayer modes and other minor features. Fictional (but realistic) tracks were added, and support races such as Ford Fiestas, Formula Ford and others also arrived. The level of car damage possible during a race was also enhanced, which was a significant selling point compared with the likes of Gran Turismo.

The drivers and cars featured in the main races, (IE - Ones with Touring Cars in them, not the Fiesta support races), are:

* It is worth noting that Nigel Mansell did drive races for Ford during this season, and is also on the drivers page in the in-game options, but does not actually feature racing in the game

Similar to the first game, once you select a car, you replace a driver and partner the other driver. However, unlike the first TOCA game, this time you replace the second team driver, not the first. So at Honda, you replace Peter Kox, at Volvo, you replace Gianni Morbidelli, and so on.

TOCA 2 is also notable for being one of only two Playstation One games (the other being Wipeout 3: Special Edition) to feature a four-player mode using the Playstation's link cable and split-screen at the same time - i.e., four players compete against each other simultaneously using two PlayStation consoles, with two players per console and two television screens.

TOCA 2 for PC also has the ability to edit/download skins for the cars. They can be edited using any paint/drawing program. Simple re-colours can be completed in just a few minutes, adding an engaging and fun diversion to the racing action.

This game is known in the U.S. as Touring Car Challenge and the opening scene features the song "Sole Sentiment" by Ratman.

[edit] TOCA World Touring Cars

TOCA World Touring Cars
Image:ToCA3.jpg
Playstation box art
Developer(s) Codemasters
Publisher(s) Codemasters
Platform(s) Playstation, Game Boy Advance
Release date(s) 2000
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

As the title suggests, the series (released in 2000) made a significant advance in featuring various Touring Car championships from around the world, but despite carrying the TOCA name, a fully licensed British Touring Car Championship (ToCa) series was not included. This upset a lot of fans of the series, but success continued. The gameplay overall became more "arcadey" and the replacement of qualifying laps with random grid positions together with the omission of penalties for bad driving made the game much more playable for the casual gamer. The game was billed as the first playstation game to feature 14 cars on the track, which pushed the console to its absolute limit. Curiously, unlike the first two titles in the TOCA series, World Touring Cars was not released in a Windows version.

Once again the franchise was compared to the Gran Turismo series, and once again TOCA was warmly received by much of the specialist press, most notably scoring 10/10 in the UK edition of Official PlayStation Magazine. The final issue A-Z described it thus: "Non-stop racing excitement with weeks of tough championship winning. 10/10" (Official PlayStation Magazine March 2004, issue 108)

This game is known in the U.S. as Jarrett & Labonte Stock Car Racing and in Japan as WTC: World Touring Car Championship

[edit] TOCA Race Driver

TOCA Race Driver
Developer(s) Codemasters
Publisher(s) Codemasters
Platform(s) Playstation 2, Microsoft Windows
Release date(s) 2002
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

The series moved onto Playstation 2 in August 2002, with the release of TOCA Race Driver (called "Pro Race Driver" in North America and V8 Supercars: Race Driver in Australia). The game took a new direction, since the main game mode featured a plot (leading to the game being labelled as a "Car-PG") where the user took on the role of a fictional race driver called Ryan McKane, trying to make a name for himself in a multitude of car championships, all the while under the shadow of his more successful older brother and haunted by the death of his father on the racetrack (as witnessed by Ryan as a child).

Despite this slightly clichéd script, the racing elements of the game continued to receive positive reviews and the game went straight to number one in the UK game charts. Xbox and PC conversions followed in March 2003, with a further Xbox version released several months later at budget price adding Xbox Live support. The game came under heavy criticism because of its inaccurate damage models, in some cases a Mini was able to complete the circuit despite only having 1 wheel and no doors.

Interestingly, the British Touring Car Championship (ToCa) which gives the game series its name, returned for this game. The real-life championship had undergone a transformation after most of the manufacturers had pulled out, and crowd numbers dropped, so TOCA asked Codemasters to include the series to boost the audience interest. However, the return was short-lived.

Many tracks were added, and some of the "World" tracks were not continued from Toca "3", despite their popularity, such as Watkins Glen and Surfer's Paradise. The game continued with random grid positions and no penalties for bad driving.

[edit] Car List of ToCA Race Driver

Name drivetrain layout Power (HP) Weight (kg) Power/weight ratio (kg/HP) Class
AC Cobra 212 S/C RWD 450 1000 2.222
AC Cobra CRS RWD 225 1000 4.444
Alfa Romeo 147 FWD 270 975 3.611 BTCC
Alfa Romeo GTV FWD 230 1050 4.565 Alfa GTV Cup
Audi Abt TT-R RWD 450 1080 2.400 DTM
Austin Mini Cooper S FWD 130 700 5.385 Elite B
Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 FWD 250 1100 4.400 American Series
Chevrolet Corvette 1978 RWD 400 1200 3.000 Elite B
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 RWD 385 1400 3.636
Chevrolet Monte Carlo RWD 780 1633 2.094
Dodge Charger 1969 RWD 425 1500 3.529 Elite B
Dodge Neon Sedan FWD 250 1100 4.400 American Series
Dodge Viper RWD 500 1100 2.200
Dodge Viper GTS-R RWD 650 1100 1.692
Eagle Talon 4WD 210 1200 5.714 American Series
Ford Falcon AU RWD 620 1350 2.177 V8 Supercars
GMD DPRS T-230 FWD 230 1050 4.565 NEC
Holden Commodore VX RWD 620 1350 2.177 V8 Supercars
Koenig C62 RWD 800 1100 1.375
Lexus IS200 RWD 270 975 3.611 BTCC
Lotus Sport Elise RWD 200 756 3.780
Marcos LM 600 RWD 750 1050 1.400 Elite A
Marcos Mantis GT3 RWD 440 1100 2.500
Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM RWD 450 1080 2.400 DTM
MG Lola EX257 Le Mans RWD 450 675 1.500 Elite A
MG ZR Turbo FWD 190 1090 5.737
MG ZS FWD 270 975 3.611 BTCC
Mitsubishi Evo VI 4WD 350 1250 3.571
Mitsubishi Mirage FWD 240 1100 4.583
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) 4WD 350 1250 3.571
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) 4WD 620 1300 2.097
Opel Astra V8 Coupe RWD 450 1080 2.400 DTM
Peugeot 406 Coupe FWD 270 975 3.611 BTCC
Proton Satria GTi FWD 220 1050 4.773 NEC
Saab 95 Aero FWD 250 1100 4.400 SEC
Subaru Impreza WRX 4WD 280 1200 4.286 NEC
Toyota Chaser RWD 276 1100 3.986
Toyota GT1 RWD 600 900 1.500 Elite A
Toyota Supra RWD 320 1400 4.375
Toyota Supra GT RWD 600 1100 1.833
TVR Cerbera Speed 12 RWD 800 1088 1.360 Elite A
TVR Tuscan Challenge RWD 450 850 1.889
TVR Tuscan R RWD 450 1000 2.222
Vauxhall Astra Coupe FWD 0 0 0 BTCC

[edit] Track List of ToCA Race Driver

[edit] Events of ToCA Race Driver

  • Super Sports Tier
    • Alfa GTV Cup
    • Americas Series
    • Northern European Challenge
    • Pacific Challenge
    • Southern European Challenge
    • TOCA Tour
  • Power Racing Tier
    • American All Stars
    • DTM
    • Euro Tour
    • V8 Supercars
  • Lola World Championship
    • Lola World Championship
  • Elite
    • Elite Class A
    • Elite Class B

[edit] TOCA Race Driver 2

Main article: TOCA Race Driver 2

Race Driver 2 was released on Xbox and PC in April 2004, with a Playstation 2 version following six months later. 2 PSP conversions were released in 2005 and 2006; the first being TOCA Race Driver 2 in Europe and Japan and the second being Race Driver 2006 in the US. The game continued to use a scripted career mode as introduced in the previous Race Driver game, but dropped the Ryan McKane character.

[edit] TOCA Race Driver 3

TOCA Race Driver 3
Microsoft Windows version Box Art
Developer(s) Codemasters
Publisher(s) Codemasters
Platform(s) Playstation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
Release date(s) 2006
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Main article: TOCA Race Driver 3

The third game in the TOCA Race Driver series was released in February 2006, and continued to expand on the types of motorsport available. Open wheel, GT, Oval racing, Rallying and Offroad racing were all featured, and can be raced in either a detailed Pro Career mode or an open-ended World Tour. Up to 12 players are supported via Xbox Live and the PlayStation 2 version supports up to 8 on-line. This series is the only racing simulator that allows PlayStation players to race on-line before Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. It received good reviews, frequently being compared favourably to Gran Turismo 4 and Forza Motorsport, in the aspects of cars on track, damage and AI.

[edit] Race Driver Create and Race

Main article: Race Driver: Create and Race

It is the first game in the TOCA Series that is available for Nintendo DS and was released in September 2007. It includes many licensed vehicles and tracks from across the world. It has also the ability to allow players to create their own circuit either using the stylus(albeit rather simply) or by using the custom made pieces made by the game developers. Then you can also exchange tracks online using a Nintendo Wi-fi Connection. It also has career, multiplayer and single-race modes.

[edit] Race Driver: GRID

Main article: Race Driver: GRID

Previously going under the working title "Race Driver One", Race Driver: GRID is the full and official title of the sequel to Toca Race Driver 3.

The game was released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, and Games for Windows. Race Driver: GRID on June 3, 2008, after over one million people downloaded the demo. It featured an improved graphics engine (a common complaint was that even on the lowest setting the graphics couldn't be handled by low-spec PCs) from Colin McRae: DiRT, has over 40 real life cars and a variety of both fictional and realistic interpretations of tracks.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOCA_Touring_Car_series"
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