G1 Jockey

G1 Jockey
G1 Jockey 3 US PS2 cover
Genre(s)	Horse racing
Developer(s)	Koei
Publisher(s)	Koei
Platform(s)	PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch
First release	G1 Jockey JP: 1997
Latest release	Champion Jockey Special JP: September 14, 2017

G1 Jockey (called GI Jockey in Japan)^[1][2] is a video game franchise developed and published by Koei that simulates horse racing from a jockey's perspective. Matthew McCudden had dominated the game for close to 20 years and is widely regarded as the best virtual jockey of all time. Games have been released on the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and also on the Wii, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Switch.

The original and its two sequels contain quick training race modes as well as a longer career mode. The racing itself has an emphasis on subtle strategy, e.g. playing with the horse's individual characteristics in mind. Horses individual characteristics include Front runner horses which prefer a spot in the top of the pack during the course of the race. Drop in horses which require a constant pace to reach its maximum potential for the final spurt. Drop out horses which require precise timing to make a move to the top and sprint down to the finish. Finally hold up horses which strength is to save up potential and start the spurt earlier than any other horse. This horse favors a quick pace race to demonstrate its full abilities.

The third game of the series, G1 Jockey 3, launched the Koei series into the spotlight.

The Wii releases ('G1 Jockey Wii' and 'G1 Jockey Wii 2008') do not follow the same numbering structure as those released on PlayStation consoles.

Games[]

G1 Jockey[]

G1 Jockey is a horse racing simulator developed & published by Koei released on March 11, 1999 for the PlayStation in Japan. A PlayStation 2 version was developed & published by Koei in Japan on March 22, 2001 & European version published by THQ on March 8, 2002 including for PAL regions.

G1 Jockey 2[]

G1 Jockey 2 is a Sports game, developed by Koei/Inis and published by Koei, which was released in Japan in November 2, 2000.

G1 Jockey 3[]

G1 Jockey 3 is a thoroughbred horse racing simulation video game produced by Koei for the PlayStation 2. Although the G1 Jockey series had been gaining popularity in Japan, this was the first game in the series to be released in North America.^[4] In contrast to Tecmo's Gallop Racer series, which focuses on every aspect of horse racing (including breeding), G1 Jockey 3 focuses solely on the jockey.

GameSpot's Ryan Davis said that while the game is not very different from the Gallop Racer series, "ultimately, G1 Jockey 3 delivers a more focused, more satisfying experience that seems less like an abstract interpretation of horse racing and more like the real thing." He went on to say that the "presentation is still pretty modest, and much of the game mechanics are too baroque for those without a real passion for horse racing."^[5] PC Magazine's Matthew Sarrel gave the game 4/5, saying that the most compelling aspect "is the Career mode, in which you learn the jockey trade, build your reputation, and eventually compete at the highest levels of thoroughbred competition", adding that the "only feature we'd like to see added is the ability to simulate famous historical races."^[6]

G1 Jockey 4[]

G1 Jockey 4 is a horse racing simulator published by Koei for the PlayStation 2 in Japan.

A Wii version called G1 Jockey Wii of the game was released June 29, 2007. It received mildly favorable reviews, including a 7/10 from Eurogamer and a 6.9 from IGN.

G1 Jockey 4 2007[]

G1 Jockey 4 2007 (ジーワンジョッキー4 2007) is a horse racing simulator published by Koei for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 in Japan on November 1, 2007.^[8] It is the sequel of G1 Jockey 4.

A playable demo was released on the Japanese PlayStation Store on October 2007.^[9]

A G1 Jockey 4 2007 and Winning Post 7 Maximum 2007 Premium Pack bundle for both the PlayStation 2^[10] and PlayStation 3 versions was released on November 1, 2007.^[11]

Champion Jockey: G1 Jockey & Gallop Racer[]

After Koei merged with Tecmo in 2009 to form the joint company Tecmo Koei, Koei then developed Champion Jockey: G1 Jockey & Gallop Racer for the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360, becoming the first game in either series to be available on a Microsoft console and have a Nintendo console version localized for North America. The game is a crossover with Tecmo's Gallop Racer series and incorporates elements from both the G1 Jockey and Gallop Racer series, while also supporting motion controllers. A Japan-exclusive Nintendo Switch port, titled Champion Jockey Special, was released in 2017.

References[]