Endurance racing is among the most popular disciplines in sim racing today, and just like in real life, 24-hour races are among the biggest challenges. In 2023, most racing simulations feature a full day-night cycle to make real-time 24-hour races possible - but did you know there was a game that pulled this off on the very first PlayStation console based on the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000?
Simply titled "Le Mans 24 Hours" in most of the world and "Test Drive Le Mans" in the United States, the Infogrames and Eutechnyx title portrayed no Le Mans edition in particular, but its car roster is made up from the 1997 and 1998 grids - so one of the prime ages of sports car racing is represented in the game, including the Toyota GT-One, BMW V12 LM, or the Marcos Mantara GT2.
The cars are divided into the GT2, GT1 and Prototype classes, each featuring eight vehicles and in most cases named after their teams rather than their actual car types. As an example, instead of a Ferrari 333 SP, players can race a JB Giesse LMP1 or a Pilot Racing LMP1 as both teams entered one of the V12-engined prototypes in 1998. Cars need to be unlocked by playing Championship mode, where new contracts are offered to players depending on their results.
Speaking of iconic tracks: One such example greets players when they start the game up already. The intro sequence of Le Mans 24 Hours features "Bohemian Like You" by The Dandy Warhols laid over clips of racing action at Le Mans. It fades out after shots of the podium at the end of the race - but there is actually a second part to it, which unlocks after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The track itself may be shortened, but the race can be run to the full distance in Le Mans 24 Hours.
Racers have to look out for their engine as well: A temperature gauge tells them how far up they should set the adjustable rev limiter - running too long with the maximum limiter setting will overheat your engine, leading to damage or even a retirement. Damage can also be incurred from collisions with competitors or the barriers.
The latter can easily be clattered into when an oil flag is displayed - yes, those are in a 2000 PS1 game about an endurance race as well! Once the flag with the yellow and red stripes is shown, treacherous conditions lay ahead, as it is very easy to lose the car in these spots - especially since the oil cannot be seen on track.
While the Circuit de La Sarthe may be shortened - or rather compressed a bit - in the game, the day-night transition is seamless, which is remarkable for a 2000 PS1 title. There is no need for the game to rely on a loading screen to transition from day to night - a feature that was not even originally in Assetto Corsa (released 2014) until mods changed this.
Unfortunately, Le Mans 24 Hours has not exactly aged well: The PS1 era graphics do look like they are over 20 years old, and the framerate drops once multiple cars are on screen at the same time do not help with that. The AI is undoubtably flawed and not really aware of the player's car, meaning it is easy to crash into them - especially if they suddenly retire and stop on track. It cannot be denied that it is mighty impressive to be able to race a full 24-hour race on the PS1 - a console that is soon turning 30 years old.
Simply titled "Le Mans 24 Hours" in most of the world and "Test Drive Le Mans" in the United States, the Infogrames and Eutechnyx title portrayed no Le Mans edition in particular, but its car roster is made up from the 1997 and 1998 grids - so one of the prime ages of sports car racing is represented in the game, including the Toyota GT-One, BMW V12 LM, or the Marcos Mantara GT2.
The cars are divided into the GT2, GT1 and Prototype classes, each featuring eight vehicles and in most cases named after their teams rather than their actual car types. As an example, instead of a Ferrari 333 SP, players can race a JB Giesse LMP1 or a Pilot Racing LMP1 as both teams entered one of the V12-engined prototypes in 1998. Cars need to be unlocked by playing Championship mode, where new contracts are offered to players depending on their results.
Le Mans & 5 Fictional Tracks
Only one real track is present in Le Mans 24 Hours, that being the namesake French circuit, but five others are also on board. All of these additional circuits are fictional and named after parts of the Circuit de La Sarthe, such as Tetre Rouge, Maison Blanche, or Bugatti - the latter not being a rendition of the actual Le Mans Bugatti circuit, however. The Le Mans track is not quite accurate to its real counterpart of the 1990s, likely a result of hardware limitations. It is shortened considerably, but does feature most of the iconic parts of the track.Speaking of iconic tracks: One such example greets players when they start the game up already. The intro sequence of Le Mans 24 Hours features "Bohemian Like You" by The Dandy Warhols laid over clips of racing action at Le Mans. It fades out after shots of the podium at the end of the race - but there is actually a second part to it, which unlocks after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
From 12 Minutes to 24 Hours
To go racing, players have the choice of different race lengths, as 12 and 24 minutes as well as two and 24 hours are possible - the full length of the race can be replicated, and mid-race saves are possible. While the handling of the game is undoubtedly arcadey, it does feature several endurance-specific elements depending on the difficulty level players choose: Amateur does not have damage or tire wear, Professional includes them.The track itself may be shortened, but the race can be run to the full distance in Le Mans 24 Hours.
Racers have to look out for their engine as well: A temperature gauge tells them how far up they should set the adjustable rev limiter - running too long with the maximum limiter setting will overheat your engine, leading to damage or even a retirement. Damage can also be incurred from collisions with competitors or the barriers.
The latter can easily be clattered into when an oil flag is displayed - yes, those are in a 2000 PS1 game about an endurance race as well! Once the flag with the yellow and red stripes is shown, treacherous conditions lay ahead, as it is very easy to lose the car in these spots - especially since the oil cannot be seen on track.
While the Circuit de La Sarthe may be shortened - or rather compressed a bit - in the game, the day-night transition is seamless, which is remarkable for a 2000 PS1 title. There is no need for the game to rely on a loading screen to transition from day to night - a feature that was not even originally in Assetto Corsa (released 2014) until mods changed this.
Unfortunately, Le Mans 24 Hours has not exactly aged well: The PS1 era graphics do look like they are over 20 years old, and the framerate drops once multiple cars are on screen at the same time do not help with that. The AI is undoubtably flawed and not really aware of the player's car, meaning it is easy to crash into them - especially if they suddenly retire and stop on track. It cannot be denied that it is mighty impressive to be able to race a full 24-hour race on the PS1 - a console that is soon turning 30 years old.
