Gran Turismo PSP helps series top 55 million units sold

We hate to be all Captain Obvious about it, but there's good reason the Gran Turismo series is still doing laps around the virtual track. People are voting with their cash, as the latest figures from Polyphony Digital show that Gran Turismo PSP has managed to sell 1.8 million copies. And through its success, it's hit one hell of a milestone for the Gran Turismo series at large. Here's the rundown of the franchise's success:

• The original Gran Turismo has sold 10,850,000 units
• Gran Turismo 2 has sold 9,370,000 units
• Gran Turismo 3 A-spec on the PS2 managed to sell 14,890,000 units
• Gran Turismo Concept Series sold 1,560,000 units
• Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" invaded 1,350,000 homes
• Gran Turismo 4 has been a heck of an earner, selling 10,980,000 units
• Gran Turismo 5 "Prologue" brought the series to the PS3 by selling 4,650,000 units
• Gran Turismo PSP recently recorded sales of 1,800,000 units

That brings the total to 55,450,000 units. It seems impressive enough -- over five million units sold in the last year-and-a-half ain't too shabby -- though there are some caveats.

For one, the Gran Turismo series has been around for over 10 years -- much longer than any of its competitors. Secondly, it's been the definitive diehard simulation racing experience on Sony's consoles, effectively making it the only show in town. Finally, the series has over seven Guinness World Records. Basically, when you have the world record for "Largest Instruction Guide for a Racing Game," it's, like, a guarantee people are going to buy it.

[Via GI.biz]