Asphalt Urban GT

Asphalt Urban GT is a racing video game for keypad-based mobile phones, the Nokia N-Gage, and the Nintendo DS and handheld video game console. It was developed by Gameloft and published by Ubisoft, and released on November 21, 2004, making it one of the DS launch titles. It has support for wireless multiplayer with up to four opponents, and takes advantage of the DS's support for 3D graphics (while showing unaccelerated N-Gage's power to match DS's graphics), showing the action from three camera angles. Replays are also available. The bottom screen of the DS is utilized to provide strategic tips and player information.
The game's 23 cars (24 in the Nintendo DS version) are licensed from real manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Hummer, Volkswagen, and others, and can be enhanced with over 30 addons.
A sequel to the game, Asphalt Urban GT 2, was later released.
== Gameplay ==
The gameplay of the original Asphalt can be comparable to that of Ridge Racer and similar arcade racing titles, focusing around a drift-oriented handling model. Given the subtitle of the game, Urban GT (Urban Grand Touring), the game features nine racetracks set in various urban cities around the world.
Nitrous plays an important role, in allowing players to receive a significant speed boost once it is being used. The only way to recharge nitrous here is through smashing destructible objects around the track or driving through oncoming traffic cars, although it self-regenerates over time.
Being the first game in the series, the physics require precise braking and steering inputs to get across various tracks, and the collision physics are massively simplified, to the point where hitting a traffic car head-on will cause the car to spin out, with significant speed loss.
There are two main single-player modes in Urban GT, such as Arcade, focusing more on quick and free play, featuring familiar game modes such as:
* Instant Play - Allows players to jump straight into the action with a randomly-generated car and track.
* Road Challenge - Required to unlock all the cars for use in Arcade. Each car category features a set of races that must be completed (two for SUV's, three for Classic cars and four for every succeeding category). Completing the Road Challenges for a specific category will unlock the next one, and completing one in a car compatible with a body kit will convert the car model into a tuned variant, however, this is irreversible.
* Free Race - Allows players to race against the AI on any track, using any unlocked cars.
* Time Trial - Same as Free Race, but this time, players must race against the clock. As such, there are no opponents and traffic in this mode.
* Cop Chase - Puts the player in a Lamborghini Gallardo police car, with the objective being to hunt down and arrest all the rival racers before the time expires.
Completing all Road Challenges up to the "Track Cars" category will unlock bonus vehicles such as the Gamelati 1000 SS motorcycle and the Lamborghini Gallardo Police. The Gameloft F1 is only available in Arcade once Evolution mode has been completed, and all Road Challenges were finished beforehand.
Evolution mode is the main career mode of the game, where players can buy, sell and customize their cars, and must compete in various championships using a variety of car restrictions. Some of the championships may have unique event types, such as:
* Normal Race - Standard races with no modifications to the rules, and most races last for three laps (two laps with SUV's).
* Golden Race - The racer in last place after every checkpoint is eliminated, and as such, there is no fixed lap count.
* Duel - Players must bet money on a head-to-head race. Duel races usually last two laps. Note that you cannot enter a Duel if you do not have enough money.
* Radar Race - Players must reach a speed camera on a section of the track at the required top speed.
Completing Evolution mode unlocks the special Gameloft F1 car for use in all events in Evolution mode (Nintendo DS only).
While the game lacks police in actual gameplay, "Cop Chase" is a mode exclusive to Arcade.
== Development Team ==
* Game Designers: Guillaume Descamps, Stanislas Dewavrin
* Creative Director: Stanislas Dewavrin
* Lead Programmer: David Nicolier
* Programmers: Jean‑Sebastien Mouret, Olivier Francoeur, Alexandre Begnoche, Rejean Cote‑Charpentier
* Art Direction: Christophe Latour, Eric Marradi
* 3D Artists: Christophe Latour, Eric Marradi, Mathieu Michel
* Additional Illustrations: Etienne Perin, Maxime Neko
* Sounds & Music: Romain Gauthier, also known as Nino Mojo, sometimes credited as Nino Gauthier
* Executive Producer: Philippe Laurens
==Java Version==
There was a mobile version of Urban GT which was realeased on December 2, 2004; the difference between the Java version and the N-Gage/DS version is that the game runs with 2D graphics with a 3D perspective for the gameplay.
This version features 9 licensed cars, which also appeared in the N-Gage/DS version, and also features 8 tracks, only 2 of which were also in the DS/N-Gage Version (New York and Paris). The rest are different tracks that were only featured in the Java version which are:
*Tokyo
*London
*Siracusa
*Luxor
*Vladivostok
*Route 66
===15th Anniversary===
May 5th was the 15th Anniversary of Urban GT's mobile version; in memory to that, the Asphalt 9: Legends website was updated for the 15th anniversary, including a playable remake of the Java version of Urban GT. Link: 15th Anniversary Page
==Vehicles==
Note: The fictional "Concept Cars" and the Volkswagen Golf V GTI are not available in the N-Gage version.
==Tracks==
Category:2004 games
Category:Asphalt Urban GT