Video Game Nostalgia: Auto Modellista (PS2/Gamecube/Xbox)

Auto Modellista, from Capcom, was probably my favorite game on the Gamecube. That's right, move over Capcom vs SNK 2, Resident Evils, Killer7 and Viewtiful Joe, I got some racing to do. I wasted many days going up and down Ura Rokko or Akagi hills with every car in my garage. And when that got boring, Infamous and I would battle our way up and down these same hills trying to get a good parallel slide going. I believe a whole summer went by just for that perfect slide. I thought what a great racing game because it was not arcade heavy like Ridge Racer, but no where near as complex as Gran Turismo.  You built up your garage, opened new courses, and could customize, to a degree, every aspect of your car. What wasn't there to like, right?  Well, what was once considered a Best of E3 game ended up getting panned by most reviewers - wonky controls, cartoony graphics, bad audios and just overall underwhelming. The game ended up being given the cold shoulder as it didn't sell well across the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox. Shortly after all that, plans for Auto Modellista 2 were scrapped and Capcom has not stepped into the racing genre since. Which sucks, cause they had a decent foundation to build upon. Tightening up the physics alone probably would have saved the franchise, but I guess Capcom really took it personal. You can bet though, if Capcom has a change of heart and decides to look back into the Auto Modellista franchise, I'll be the first one in line...well there probably wouldn't be a line...to get my copy!   -Tanker

btw - Infamous and I never got that perfect parallel slide. We were close a couple times, but those controls are pretty wonky...