Its cel-shaded graphics helped separate the game from the rest of the racing genre competition, though it suffered from its ambitiousness. It released in Japan on the PlayStation 2 on August 22nd, 2002 and arrived in PAL territories on December 6th, 2002. Upon its release in Europe and Japan, the game was heavily criticized for featuring poor driving mechanics. It consequentially sold considerably under expectations.March 2003 saw the release of Auto Modellista in North America, dubbed internally as the "US Tuned" version. This version saw Capcom add a host of American car manufacturers and fix some of the game's core aspects from the JP/EU version. Unfortunately, the sub-par driving physics remained present and was released in North America to critical and commercial failure. The US Tuned version would be ported as a GameCube and Xbox game, with the latter due for release in Europe on April 2004, but distributors eventually decided not to honour, predicting sales of the game were going to be poor.GameplayAuto Modellista is, according to Capcom, a racing simulator. While they originally promised to use "real world physics" to accurately simulate each car's handling, the end result is a poorly conceived driving engine that will throw the car into oversteer at the slightest steering adjustment regardless of the selected car. Although players can use these physics to exploit longer corners, it causes cars to become incredibly unstable at high speeds and would frequently cause the player to spin out 180º in any tight corner. Getting back on track then becomes a problem of its own, as the sensitive physics causes the car to spin out when re-starting from a neutral position. The car will spin in endless 360º circles unless they completely let go of the accelerator, which has the chance to re-start the spin-outs once again. With no retry option in the pause menu, the many handling issues made the game far more frustrating than it could have been.The limited amount of tracks, lack of variety in car selection, and unbearably complicated online matchmaking system were also noticeable faults.One of the game's few redeeming qualities, however, is the complete lack of currency. Upon starting a new game, the player can pick any car in the list (opponent vehicles will match the user's car class) and you can instantly equip any available upgrades to a car as soon as they unlock. Certain cars and parts were locked as unlockables for completing events. This made experimenting with different car classes and setups a lot easier than any other racing simulator.A large aspect of the game was its online mode, with online races supporting up to 8 players and a chat room available between races. This functionality (and many of the game modes relating to it) were removed from the original US and European releases, but was added back into the US Tuned editions of the game. The online mode of Auto Modellista has been terminated, and cannot be used in any versions of the game.Game ModesGarage LifeThis is the main gameplay mode in Auto Modellista. It is shaped like a career mode, though is devoid of any story or ultimate goal. Players start out by naming their garage and selecting a car. From there, the player names the car and types in a license plate. The game then presents the game's main menu, presented as follows:Change CarsWhere you'll go to switch cars at any time. The game uses a "Sub Garage" system, which acts as slots for your different cars. Since there is no currency or class restrictions in the game, you're free to race with whichever automobile you wish.Tune CarWhere you can upgrade your currently selected car. Any upgrades unlocked can instantly be equipped without need of purchasing them like in other racing titles. There are host of options in the Tune Car menu:Easy Tune-Up: This is a "beginner's" way of tuning their car. The game asks you a series of questions to decide which tuning setup would be best suitable for you. It will ask which track you will be racing on, if you want a higher focus on acceleration or maximum speed, and if you would like your steering to handle more tightly or loosely.Tune-Up: This is the more advanced option to upgrade your car. This option will allow you to change your tires, brakes, suspension, turbo, exhaust, CPU, engine, and transmission settings. Each option can be fine tuned. When selecting an option other than the default option.Dress-Up: Here is where you can upgrade your car's appearance. You can change its body design (generally gives the option of racing stripes or not), parts like the car's hood, mirrors, front and back bumper, side skirts, spoiler, rims and headlights, it's paintjob, decals, and license plate.Test Run: This allows you to test your car's current setup on any of the game's tracks.Garage DesignWhere you can change the appearance of the garage. In the Garage Life menu, the background is displayed as the inside of a garage housing your car. The garage itself is fully customizable with a wide variety of objects and posters that can be unlocked in races. For a complete list of Garage Design unlocks, refer to the list at the far-bottom of the page. In the Garage Design menu, you can rename your garage, change the type (Between a regular garage, concrete-walled garage and a log cabin garage) and change the layout of items within the garage.Sub GarageHere is where you can manage cars stored in your sub garages. You are given the option to delete them, copy them to other slots or store them in the current slot you're using.RaceThis is the game's main mode. You'll be dropped into a menu where you select from different tier-like "Levels" to race in. Levels will have playlists of tracks to compete in with each event having it's own reward, difficulty rating, and style. Certain races will be Technical stages (tight corners, narrow roads, and focusing heavily on racing lines) while others will be High Speed stages (long stretches of road, wide and long corners). You'll race in a variety of environments and track styles. Certain tracks will be closed circuit tracks like the famous Suzuka Circuit in Japan, others will be uphill/downhill races (otherwise known as 'touge' races) or highway circuits.StatusA menu to view statistics and progress of your current game.Auto Modellista ShopThis option is locked from the beginning of the game. Once you progress further into the game, you gain access to the Auto Modellista shop. This allows you to replace the engine of one car with another from within the same manufacturer. i.e.: Transposing a Toyota Supra RZ engine into a Trueno GT APEX, giving the Trueno a 276HP engine.MailWhere you get to read all of the absolutely useless e-mail that is sent to you throughout the course of the game. Anything explained through these e-mails can be found within the game manual. "Driving tips" are given here but, due to the game's handling physics, are basically purposeless.SaveArcade ModeThis is where players can go for a quick race. You're able to race in a single race mode against computer opponents, split-screen against a friend or in Time Attack mode against the clock.V.J. TheatreWhere players can go to view saved replays or "Remix" their own replays. You can use the game's built-in video editor to splice in footage, building a music video of sorts.NetworkThis is the game's multiplayer component. Auto Modellista can be played online (on the PS2 or Xbox) through Xbox Live or, on PS2, the S.N.A.P. application. The SNAP interface acted as a fake web-browser, requiring registration and other inconveniences to access online play.OptionsHere is where you can change the control scheme for the game, set different options for audio and display settings as well as view your high scores.Save/LoadYou are given the privilege to save and load your game here.Track ListTrack NameDescriptionDifficultyDirectionsTrack LengthRokko HillMountain-side touge track. It features a series of sharp turns and chicanes.4/5Uphill and Downhill2.3 milesAkagi HillMountain-side touge track. It features a series of sharp turns and chicanes with a few stretches of open road.5/5Uphill and Downhill3.5 milesSuzuka CircuitThe world-famous race track in Suzuka, Japan.3/5Forward3.6 milesOsaka HighwayA very simple, closed-circuit highway track. It contains extremely long stretches of road connecting into long, stretching corners.1/5Forward and Reverse3.1 milesWest TokyoA slightly more technical closed-circuit track on city streets.2/5Forward and Reverse2.2 milesEast Tokyo (Day)A fairly technical closed circuit track on city streets. It features long stretches of road leading into sharp corners, so quick thinking is required.2/5Forward and Reverse1.7 milesEast Tokyo (Rain)The same track mentioned above, only with rain effects. This affects handling.3/5Forward and Reverse1.7 milesUS Dirt TrackA completely standard oval track with a dirt surface.2/5Forward0.8 milesUS SpeedwayAn oval track on a closed circuit.1/5Forward1.5 milesTamiya Kagekawa CircuitThis track is LOCKED from the beginning. It is a remote-controlled car track.?????????Car List (*cars found only in US-Tuned)ManufacturerModelClassHorsepowerLayoutAccelerationHandlingMax SpeedAcuraIntegra*B190HPFF2.5 / 53 / 52 / 5ChevroletCamaro Z28*A325HPFR3.5 / 53 / 54 / 5ChevroletCorvette*A350HPFR3.5 / 53 / 54 / 5FordMustang GT*A260HPFR3.5 / 53 / 53.5 / 5FordGT-40* (LOCKED)??????????????????DodgeViper GTS*A450HPFR5 / 53 / 55 / 5HyundaiTiburon GT V6*B173HPFF3 / 33 / 32 / 5HyundaiLOCKED??????????????????ToyotaSupra RZA276HPFR4 / 53.5 / 55 / 5ToyotaMR2 GT-SB242HPRMR2.5 / 53 / 52 / 5Toyota (Lexus)IS 200B207HPFR2.5 / 53 / 53 / 5ToyotaCelica GTSB187HPFF2 / 54 / 52 / 5Toyota2000GT (LOCKED)??????????????????ToyotaMR2 SpyderC138HPRMR3 / 52 / 52 / 5ToyotaLevin 1600GT APEXC128HPFR1.5 / 52 / 52 / 5ToyotaTrueno GT APEXC128HPFR1.5 / 52 / 52 / 5ToyotaLOCKED??????????????????ToyotaVitz RSC108HPFF2 / 52 / 52 / 5ToyotaSports 800C44HPFR1 / 51 / 51 / 5NissanSkyline GT-R Vspec II R34A276HPF4WD3.5 / 52 / 54 / 5NissanSkyline GT-R VspecA276HPF4WD3.5 / 53 / 54 / 5NissanSkyline GT-R Vspec IIA276HPF4WD3.5 / 52 / 54 / 5Nissan350ZA276HPFR3 / 53 / 55 / 5Nissan300ZX Twin TurboA276HPFR3.5 / 53.5 / 54 / 5NissanSilvia Spec-RB247HPFR3.5 / 53.5 / 53 / 5NissanSilvia K'sB202HPFR3 / 53 / 53 / 5Nissan240SX SEB155HPFR3 / 53 / 53 / 5NissanSkyline RS-XB202HPFR2.5 / 52 / 53 / 5NissanLOCKED??????????????????NissanLOCKED??????????????????NissanLOCKED??????????????????HondaNSX typeS ZeroA276HPRMR4 / 54 / 55 / 5HondaS2000 typeVB276HPFR3.5 / 53.5 / 53 / 5HondaIntegra Type-RB217HPFF2 / 53 / 52.5 / 5HondaCivic Type-RB212HPFF2 / 54 / 53 / 5HondaIntergra Type-R DC2B197HPFF2.5 / 53 / 52 / 5HondaCivic Type-R EK9B182HPFF3 / 54 / 52 / 5HondaCivic SiR-IIB168HPFF2.5 / 54 / 52 / 5HondaCR-X SiRB158HPFF3 / 53 / 52 / 5HondaCivic SiC133HPFF2.5 / 54 / 52 / 5HondaLOCKED??????????????????HondaBEATC63HPRMR1 / 53 / 51 / 5MazdaRX-7 FDA276HPFR3.5 / 53 / 54 / 5MazdaRX-8B247HPFR5 / 52 / 54 / 5MazdaRX-7 FCB202HPFR3 / 53 / 53 / 5MazdaRX-7 SA22CB163HPFR3 / 52 / 52 / 5MazdaMiata MX-5B158HPFR2 / 53 / 53 / 5MazdaLOCKED??????????????????MazdaMiata MX-5 NAC118HPFR2.5 / 53 / 52 / 5Mazda6B176HPFF3 / 54 / 53.5 / 5MazdaLOCKED??????????????????MitsubishiLancer Evolution VII GSRA276HPF4WD4.5 / 53.5 / 53.5 / 5MitsubishiLancer Evolution VI - Tommi Makkinen EditionA276HPF4WD4.5 / 53.5 / 53.5 / 5MitsubishiLancer Evolution III GSRA276HPF4WD4 / 53.5 / 53.5 / 5MitsubishiLOCKED??????????????????MitsubishiGTOA276HPF4WD5 / 54 / 55 / 5SubaruImpreza WRX STiA276HPF4WD3.5 / 54 / 53.5 / 5SubaruImpreza 22B STi VersionA276HPF4WD4 / 54 / 53.5 / 5SubaruYoung SSC35HPRR1 / 51 / 51 / 5DaihatsuCopenC63HPFF1 / 53 / 51 / 5DaihatsuMOVE Aero Down CustomC63HPF4WD1 / 53 / 51 / 5DaihatsuMira TR XK Avanzato-RC63HPFF1.5 / 54 / 51 / 5SuzukiCappucinoC63HPFR1.5 / 53 / 51.5 / 5SuzukiAlto WORKS RS/XC63HPFR1 / 53 / 51 / 5TommykairaZZ-SB197HPRMR2 / 53 / 53.5 / 5Garage Life garage customization unlocksPostersGulf Oil PosterSnap-on PosterTOMY Posterelf PosterBridgestone Poster BDUNLOP PosterADVAN PosterENKEI PosterOZ PosterWORK PosterSSR PosterWatanabe PosterRAYS PosterRECARO PosterFALKEN PosterTAMIYA PosterSteering Wheel ASteering Wheel BSteering Wheel CCastrol Retro Poster ACastrol Retro Poster BCastrol Retro SignMichelin Retro Poster AMichelin Retro Poster BMichelin Retro Poster CMichelin Retro Poster DMichelin Retro Poster EMichelin Retro Poster FMichelin Retro Poster GMichelin Retro Poster HMichelin Retro Poster IMichelin Retro Sign AMichelin Retro Sign BMichelin Retro Sign CAuto Modellista Poster BAuto Modellista Poster CAuto Modellista Poster DAuto Modellista SignALPINE PosterSnap-on Metal Sign ASnap-on Metal Sign BSnap-on Metal Sign CSnap-on Metal Sign DSnap-on Metal Sign ESnap-on Small FrisbeeDunlop Retro Poster ADunlop Retro Poster BDunlop Retro Poster CDunlop Retro Sign ADunlop Retro Sign BDunlop Retro Sign CFloor ItemsTriple ShelfBatteryGas TankSnap-on Hydraulic JackTriple Shelf - SmallHorizontal Tire StandSnap-on Top Chest ADrum CanMountain Bike AMountain Bike BRECARO SeatRadioStereoSurfboardDirector's ChairDollyWeight Training SetSnap-on Seat CreeperPortable Air CompressorTool Roll Cab BSnap-on Battery ChargerSteel CartParts WasherSnap-on Blast CabinetAir CompressorSnap-on Roll CartSnap-on Parts WasherSnap-on Modular WorkbenchSnap-on Top Chest BSnap-on Top Chest CSnap-on Roll Cab BSnap-on Adjustable CreeperSnap-on Metal BoxSnap-on Waste Oil DrainBibendum Figure SBibendum Figure LServbot Figure AServbot Figure BFull-face HelmetRally HelmetRacing GlovesWooden Triple ShelfWooden Triple Box ShelfLow BoardCastrol Retro Oil Tank LCastrol Retro Oil Tank MCastrol Retro Oil Tank SCastrol Retro Oil Can ACastrol Retro Oil Can BCastrol Retro Oil Can CCastrol Retro Oil Can DCastrol Retro Oil Can ECastrol Handy Oil CanPennzoil Oil Can BPennzoil Oil Can CGulf Oil Can BGulf Oil Can Celf Oil Can Belf Oil Can Celf Oil Can DDunlop Retro Oil CanLarge Championship PlaqueSmall Championship PlaqueGorgeous TrophyLarge TrophySmall TrophyLarge Championship CupSmall Championship CupSpecial Championship PlaqueSpecial TrophySpecial Championship CupTriviaIn the PAL and American version, although the cars are the same as found in the original Japanese version (aside from the cars added to the US-Tuned version), the names of certain car models were change to their respective names as sold in the European/American market.In Garage Life, the player is given the ability to add stickers to their cars. Several of these stickers feature famous capcom characters and game series, such as Street Fighter and Devil May Cry.
