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Ridge Racer
View on Wikipedia| Ridge Racer | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Racing |
| Developers | Namco Nintendo Software Technology Namco Bandai Games Cellius Bugbear Entertainment |
| Publishers | Namco Sony Computer Entertainment Nintendo Namco Bandai Games |
| Creators | Yozo Sakagami Fumihiro Tanaka |
| Platforms | Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Nintendo 64, GameCube, i-mode, J2ME, Zeebo, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android |
| First release | Ridge Racer 30 October 1993 |
| Latest release | Ridge Racer Draw & Drift 20 October 2016 |
Ridge Racer[a] is a series of racing video games created by Namco and owned by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The first game, Ridge Racer (1993), was originally released in arcades for the Namco System 22 hardware, later ported to the PlayStation one year later as a launch title. It was met with several sequels and spin-off games for multiple platforms, the latest being the mobile game Ridge Racer Draw & Drift (2016) and the latest mainline game, developed in-house, was Ridge Racer 7 (2006). Gameplay involves the player racing against computer-controlled opponents to be the first to finish in a race. Drifting is a core aspect of the series and is used to keep speed while turning corners; Ridge Racer pioneered the real-life technique in video games. The series is considered influential to the racing game genre.[1] On June 5, 2025, the arcade version of the first game was added to the Arcade Archives and Arcade Archives 2.[2]
History
[edit]| 1993 | Ridge Racer |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Ridge Racer 2 |
| 1995 | Rave Racer |
| Ridge Racer Revolution | |
| 1996 | Rage Racer |
| Pocket Racer | |
| 1997 | |
| 1998 | R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 |
| 1999 | |
| 2000 | Ridge Racer 64 |
| Ridge Racer V | |
| 2001 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | R: Racing Evolution |
| 2004 | Ridge Racer |
| Ridge Racer DS | |
| 2005 | Ridge Racer 6 |
| Critical Velocity | |
| 2006 | Ridge Racer 7 |
| Ridge Racer 2 | |
| 2007 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2009 | Ridge Racer Accelerated |
| 2010 | Ridge Racer Drift |
| 2011 | Ridge Racer 3D |
| Ridge Racer | |
| 2012 | Ridge Racer Unbounded |
| 2013 | Ridge Racer Slipstream |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | Ridge Racer Draw & Drift |
Ridge Racer is a spiritual successor to Sim Drive (1992), a racing simulation game met with a limited release in Japanese arcades using an actual body of a Mazda Eunos Roadster. Originally meant as an F1 racing game, similar to Namco's own Pole Position and Final Lap series, it was instead replaced with racing on mountain roads, a popular trend for Japanese car enthusiasts at the time. The PlayStation version was a launch title for the console and was an astounding success for Namco, prompting the creation of several sequels for arcades and home platforms.
Earlier Ridge Racer games received critical acclaim for their graphics, gameplay, and musical score, many citing it as a contributing factor to the success of the PlayStation in its early years. Later entries were criticized for straying too far from the source material and lack of content, with Ridge Racer Vita (2011) being the first game to receive generally negative reception from critics; its base content was considered extremely lacking, with the player forced to obtain the vast majority of additional content by purchasing DLC. [3] The last mainline title, Ridge Racer Unbounded (2012) received mixed-to-average reception from critics.[4]
Games list
[edit]Main series
[edit]- Ridge Racer (1993) is the first entry in the series, originally released for arcades and running on the Namco System 22 arcade system. A PlayStation conversion was released in 1994 and 1995 as a launch title for the console. Two other versions of the game were released for arcades: Ridge Racer Full Scale, which featured a replica Eunos Roadster that the player sat in to control the game, and Ridge Racer: 3-Screen Edition, which used three different monitors to provide a peripheral vision effect, similar to Namco's earlier game Driver's Eyes (1991). A Japanese mobile phone version was released in 2000. The game was also released for J2ME in 2006 and Zeebo in 2009.
- Ridge Racer 2 (1994) was released for arcades, running on the Namco System 22 hardware. It serves as an update to the original game, featuring multiplayer, a rear-view mirror, and a remixed soundtrack composed by Shinji Hosoe.
- Rave Racer (1995) was released for arcades. It features two new tracks alongside the two present in the original Ridge Racer, and had linkable arcade cabinets that allowed for up to eight-person multiplayer. Home conversions for both the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows were announced in 1996, but were later cancelled.
- Ridge Racer Revolution (1995) was released for the PlayStation. It is a modified home release of Ridge Racer 2 with three completely new and different tracks than the arcade and original games, new music, additional vehicles, and multiplayer via the PlayStation Link Cable peripheral.[5]
- Rage Racer (1996) was released for the PlayStation. Alongside the introduction of series mascot Reiko Nagase, it featured customizable cars and a retries rule, both of which have become prominent throughout the franchise. It also features a more gritty and darker graphical style, a departure from the series' more colorful art style.
- R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (1998) was released for the PlayStation, titled Ridge Racer Type 4 in Europe. It marks the debut of racing teams, which became a core aspect for all games to follow, and is the first PlayStation game in the series to use Gouraud shading for its graphics. Multiplayer modes are also present, being displayed in a split-screen orientation. In 2018, it was released as one of the built-in games on the PlayStation Classic mini console.[6]
- Ridge Racer 64 (2000) was released for the Nintendo 64 in North America and Europe; it was not developed by Namco, who instead licensed the series to Nintendo and developed by its subsidiary Nintendo Software Technology. It includes tracks from Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer Revolution, alongside new tracks and cars.
- Ridge Racer V (2000) was released as a launch title for the PlayStation 2. An arcade version was released a year later, subtitled Arcade Battle. The original Ridge Racer game's free-form structure is instead replaced with Grand Prix races found in Ridge Racer Type 4.
- Ridge Racer DS (2004) was released as a launch title for the Nintendo DS. A remake of Ridge Racer 64, it includes touch-screen controls that allow the player to use the stylus to steer the car, alongside a multiplayer mode via local wireless multiplayer. Nintendo Software Technology again returned to develop.
- Ridge Racer (2004) was released as a launch title for the PlayStation Portable, and was titled Ridge Racers in Japan. It features tracks, cars and music found in earlier Ridge Racer games, leading it to be described as a "compilation" of the series.
- Ridge Racer 6 (2005) was released as a launch title for the Xbox 360, featuring a total of 130 vehicles and 30 playable tracks, alongside 14-person online multiplayer through Xbox Live.
- Ridge Racer 2 (2006) was released for the PlayStation Portable and was named Ridge Racers 2 in Japan keeping the unique PSP naming scheme. It is a direct sequel to the 2004 Ridge Racers and retains the same concept of the first game featuring tracks, cars and music taken from earlier games in the franchise.
- Ridge Racer 7 (2006) was released as a launch title for the PlayStation 3. It is a largely enhanced and expanded version of Ridge Racer 6.
- Ridge Racer 3D (2011) was released as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS.[7]
- Ridge Racer (2011) was released as a launch title for the PlayStation Vita. It was developed by Cellius.
- Ridge Racer Unbounded (2012) was released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows. The game is a large departure from the series' core gameplay, instead focusing on vehicular combat akin to the Burnout series.[8] It was developed by Finland-based Bugbear Entertainment.
Spin-offs and related games
[edit]- Pocket Racer (1996) is a spin-off arcade game released exclusively in Japan. Gameplay is near identical to the original Ridge Racer, but all the cars have instead been replaced with "super-deformed" Choro-Q-esque vehicles. A similar concept was included with Ridge Racer Revolution, titled Buggy Mode, which served as the inspiration for Pocket Racer.
- R: Racing Evolution (2003) was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox, serving as a spin-off of the franchise. The European release was titled R: Racing. It includes over 33 licensed vehicles from real-world car manufacturers, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Super GT. The game also has a story mode. Some releases of the GameCube version include Pac-Man Vs. as a free bonus.
- Critical Velocity (2005) is a plot-based spin-off game released in Japan for the PlayStation 2. Known in development as Rune Chaser, it features Ridge Racer vehicles and settings in a more adventure-like game with a storyline.
- Pachi-slot Ridge Racer (2008) is a pachi-slot spin-off of the series, released in Japan. A digital remake was released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan later the same year.
- Pachi-slot Ridge Racer 2 (2009) is a direct sequel to Pachi-slot Ridge Racer, again released in Japan.
- Ridge Racer Accelerated (2009) was released for iOS mobile devices.[9]
- Ridge Racer Drift (2010) was released for J2ME, Windows Mobile, BREW and BlackBerry mobile devices.
- Drift Spirits (2013) is a plot-based touge drifting mobile game released on iOS and Android that continues to be updated as of 2024 though only in Japanese. Cars drive by themselves and the player is expected to tap the screen to drift; it features Ridge Racer's fictional vehicles.
- Ridge Racer Slipstream (2013) was released for iOS and Android mobile devices.[10]
- Ridge Racer Draw & Drift (2016) was released for iOS and Android devices.
Common elements
[edit]
The basic gameplay of the Ridge Racer series has remained relatively consistent throughout each installment. The objective is to race against computer-controlled opponents to finish each track in first place — the player begins the game in last place, and have a limited number of laps around the track to complete where they can overtake opponents. Some entries have a time limit that the player must race against, with each completed lap extending the timer; if the timer reaches zero, the game ends regardless of which lap the player was on. Later entries remove the timer and instead requires the player to finish the race in a minimum-assigned place to advance to the next course.
Unlike other racing games, which usually feature closed circuits, Ridge Racer instead has races laid out on streets, beaches, cities and mountains, taking place in the fictional coastal metropolis "Ridge City" — circuit tracks are included in some entries. Nearly every entry in the series features the original tracks from Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer 2, sometimes modified to accompany for certain mechanics. Players can drift their car around corners to maintain speed, as most of the tracks were based on real-world locations that were not intended for race speeds. Ridge Racer Unbounded (2012) removes the drifting mechanic in favor of vehicular combat, similar to the Burnout franchise.
The playable cars each have their own stats and mechanics, such as a faster speed or improved drifting. Many of these are also named after older Namco video games, including Dig Dug, Xevious, NebulasRay, Rolling Thunder, Bosconian and Solvalou. The PlayStation sequel R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 introduces the concept of racing teams for the series, all being named after Dig Dug, Mappy, Pac-Man, Xevious and Galaga. Similar to Namco's own Tekken series, several games feature classic Namco arcade games as short minigames that play during loading screens, a mechanic that was later trademarked by Namco — the PlayStation home port of the original Ridge Racer features Galaxian, while Ridge Racers features New Rally-X. Completing these minigames will award the player with new tracks or cars, sometimes unlocking a full emulated version of the minigame to play.[11]
Automakers
[edit]Starting with Rage Racer, each game offers cars with fictional automakers and model names. Certain manufacturers specialize in a particular component of their cars' performance, such as top speed, grip, and acceleration:
- Kamata (based on Mitsubishi and Nissan) – A Japanese brand specializing in basic all-rounder sports coupes and hatchbacks. They also make the Angelus supercar (based on McLaren F1 LM in Ridge Racer 5, a Maserati MC12 in Ridge Racer 6, and a futuristic 6 wheeled car in Ridge Racer 7), one of the fastest cars in the entire series.
- Terrazi (based on Honda) – A Japanese brand specializing in all-rounder cars with bizarre designs, including the Wildboar (a futuristic three-wheeled car exclusive to Ridge Racer Type 4), and the Terrajin (a rocket powered car in Ridge Racer 6 and Ridge Racer 7).
- Lizard/Danver (based on Ford and General Motors) – An American brand specializing in muscle and sports cars with high acceleration. In Ridge Racer lore, Danver have acquired the names and assets of the Bayonet and Hijack from Lizard following their bankruptcy and liquidation, which occurs after the events of Ridge Racer Type 4.
- Âge (Âge Solo in Ridge Racer Type 4 and Ridge Racer Slipstream, based on Renault) – A French brand specializing in compacts and sports cars with excellent grip.
- Assoluto (based on Ferrari and Lamborghini) – An Italian brand specializing in high-performance sports cars and supercars with high top speeds and unique designs.
- Rivelta/Soldat (based on Bugatti and Ferrari) – A French-Italian brand specializing in supercars. They also make the Rumeur hatchback, a car with incredible top speed and handling, as well as the Crinale, or "13th Racing", known as the original "Devil" car that was the rival of the Kamata Angelus. By the events of Ridge Racer (2004), French automaker Soldat had bought out Italian manufacturer, Rivelta.
- Gnade (based on Audi and BMW) – A German brand specializing in all-rounder luxury and sports coupes and sedans.
- Himmel (based on Porsche) – A German brand specializing in rear-engined sports cars.
- Sinseong Motors (based on Hyundai) – A South Korean brand exclusive to Ridge Racer 7 and Ridge Racer Slipstream that specializes in luxury sports coupes, however, their only car shown in the games is the Sinseong Motors Jujak.
- Lucky & Wild (based on General Motors) - First introduced in Ridge Racer 3D, they are an American manufacturer of modern muscle cars and is a fellow rival to Danver. They are also the manufacturer of the Wisdom, formerly a trademark of the now-defunct Lizard. The name of this manufacturer is taken from the Namco arcade game of the same name.
Reiko Nagase
[edit]Designed by Kei Yoshimizu, Reiko Nagase is a virtual idol fictional character who is the mascot and "host" of the Ridge Racer series.[12][13] Described as a race queen from Tokyo,[14] Reiko officially first appeared and was named in Rage Racer (1996), in the game's full motion video intro directed by Kei Yoshimizu from Keica,[15][16] also appearing in-game.[17] In R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (1998),[18] she was given more prominence, as the opening animation, which used a song by Kimara Lovelace, was a short story starring her.[19] Type 4 also introduced a redesign to her 3D model by Kei Yoshimizu.[20] This is when Namco started giving more exposure to the character, heavily using her image to promote the game.[21][22] She also appears in Ridge Racer 64 (2000).
In 2000, Namco decided to replace Reiko in Ridge Racer V with newcomer Ai Fukami[23].[24] The character also influenced Namco to create other virtual idols: the aforementioned Hitomi Yoshino, whose most notable appearance outside Japan was in MotoGP 2 and MotoGP 3; Rena Hayami of R: Racing Evolution;[25] and several characters under the name Kei Nagase[26] in the Ace Combat series, who bear a resemblance to Reiko Nagase. One of them, a selectable wingman in Ace Combat 2 (1997), was officially identified as Reiko's younger sister born.[27] Reiko also made appearances in other games – most of them featuring her in the white-and-red outfit from the R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 promotional artwork – including Anna Kournikova's Smash Court Tennis, Pac-Man Fever,[28] and as a bot in 2024's Astro Bot.[29] In March 1999, she was featured in the PlayStation 2 pre-launch real-time technology demo program as the "Ridge Racer Girl".[30][31] The character has also been featured in other products licensed by Namco,[32] including the first and sixth wave of Namco Gals gashapon and other figurines and garage kits by various manufacturers.[33]
Reception
[edit]| Game | GameRankings | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|
| Ridge Racer | 81%[34] | - |
| Ridge Racer Revolution | 79%[35] | - |
| R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 | 88%[37] | 88[36] |
| Ridge Racer 64 | 85%[39] | 82[38] |
| Ridge Racer V | 80%[41] | 78[40] |
| Ridge Racer DS | 64%[43] | 63[42] |
| Ridge Racer | 89%[45] | 88[44] |
| Ridge Racer 6 | 70%[47] | 74[46] |
| Ridge Racers 2 | 70%[48] | - |
| Ridge Racer 7 | 79%[50] | 78[49] |
| Ridge Racer Accelerated | 52%[52] | 50[51] |
| Ridge Racer 3D | 75%[54] | 75[53] |
| Ridge Racer Unbounded | 69%[56] | 71[55] |
The original Ridge Racer was very well received by critics for its 3D graphics, audio, and the drifting mechanics. It also received an admirable port to the PlayStation, where it became one of the best selling titles in the console's early lifetime. It is also considered as playing a part in giving Sony's system an edge over rival Sega's Saturn during 1994–1995.
Its sequels during the 1990s were also highly successful, in particular Ridge Racer Type 4, often considered the series' best. Its sequel Ridge Racer V received more mediocre reviews, but the subsequent PSP title achieved very high praise. The series' 'idol' mascot Reiko Nagase, who has appeared in most games since 1996's Rage Racer, has often been rated among the most recognizable female characters in video games.
In 1999, Next Generation listed the Ridge Racer series as number 11 on their "Top 50 Games of All Time", commenting that "there are certainly better car simulations, but when it comes to fun, Ridge Racer, the game that helped make PlayStation cool, is the one we come back to".[58]
The 2011 Vita title was negatively received for various reasons, whilst the latest console game, Ridge Racer Unbounded, was marked with a departure from the drifting style and mechanics of what the series is known for, experimenting with a more destructive style similar to the Burnout series, although Ridge Racer 3D, a launch title for the 3DS, was better received compared to Vita and Unbounded.
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Shea, Cam (23 June 2015). "The Original Ridge Racer: A PlayStation Launch Classic - IGN". Uk.ign.com. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ^ "Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer adds PS5 version; Arcade Archive Ridge Racer announced for PS4". Gematsu. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ MacDonald, Keza (9 March 2012). "Ridge Racer Vita Review". IGN. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Unbounded". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ "Special Extended Play The sequel to the stunning original! Ridge Racer Revolution". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 5. Emap International Limited. April 1996. ISSN 1360-3167.
- ^ "Announcing PlayStation Classic's Full Lineup of 20 Games". PlayStation.Blog. 29 October 2018.
- ^ Bawell, Tom (10 January 2011). "Nintendo 3DS Japanese Launch Line-up". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ Andrew Laughlin (1 April 2012). "'Ridge Racer: Unbounded' review (Xbox 360)". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- ^ Buchanan, Levi (16 December 2009). "Ridge Racer Accelerated Review". IGN. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ Fahey, Mike (3 December 2013). "Ridge Racer Stops Trying To Launch Consoles". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ Rijji Rēsā Reboryūshon (Pureisutēshon hisshouhou supesharu) リッジレーサーレボリューション (プレイステーション必勝法スペシャル) [Ridge Racer Revolution (PlayStation winning strategy special)] (in Japanese). Tokyo: Keibunsha. 1996. p. 94. ISBN 978-4-7669-2427-5.
- ^ "See Yourself in Ridge Racer on the 3DS". Nintendo Life. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Review: Ridge Racer Slipstream". Destructoid.com. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "ナムコ、PSP用「リッジレーサーズ」 ニトロシステムやワールドツアーズモードなどを紹介". Game.watch.impress.co.jp. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "keica,inc". 6 October 2007. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Club Skill | Ridge Racer Retro Special". Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Computer and Video Games – Issue 183 (1997-02)(EMAP Images)(GB)". February 1997. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 4 coming to PSN as downloadable PSOne Classic". GamesRadar. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "R4開発日記/R4 OPENING MOVIE CONTINUITY". 6 March 2004. Archived from the original on 6 March 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "LO Magazine Issue #8–10 | LO Mag". 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ 家庭用ゲーム. "WonderPage 1999 R4 Calendar|バンダイナムコゲームス公式サイト". Bandainamcogames.co.jp. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ 家庭用ゲーム. "Reiko Nagase 2000 Calendar|バンダイナムコゲームス公式サイト". Bandainamcogames.co.jp. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ 深水 藍
- ^ "Ridge Racer V – #33 Top PS2 Games – IGN". Uk.ign.com. 26 October 2000. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "R: Revolution - Namco says "Hey. GT4. Eat me!"". GMR Magazine. No. 6. 2003. p. 19.
- ^ ケイ・永瀬
- ^ "Computer and Video Games – Issue 189 (1997-08) (EMAP Images) (GB)". August 1997. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "■ R4-RIDGE RACER TYPE4". 9 February 2005. Archived from the original on 9 February 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ Henley, Stacey (6 September 2024). "Astro Bot - Every Hidden Level In Camo Cosmos". TheGamer. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Randy (2 March 1999). "PS2: Demos to Die For – IGN". Uk.ign.com. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ Scammell, David (20 February 2013). "A look back at some of PlayStation's historical reveal events". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Namco.Ch". 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 15 December 2006. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Nagase Reiko ‹ Characters ‹ Encyclopedia – MyFigureCollection.net (Tsuki-board.net)". MyFigureCollection.net. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Ridge Racer for PlayStation". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Revolution for PlayStation". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 for PlayStation Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "R4: Ridge Racer Type 4". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 64 Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 64 for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer V for PlayStation 2 Review". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer V for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer DS Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer DS for Nintendo DS". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer for PSP". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 6 Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 2 for PSP". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 2 for PSP". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 7 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 7 for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Accelerated Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Accelerated for iOS (iPhone/iPad)". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 3D Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer 3D for 3DS". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Unbounded Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Unbounded for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Ridge Racer Slipstream Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ "Top 50 Games of All Time". Next Generation. No. 50. Imagine Media. February 1999. p. 80.
External links
[edit]Ridge Racer
View on GrokipediaOverview
Gameplay
Ridge Racer is an arcade-style racing series presented from a third-person perspective, where players control vehicles on closed-loop circuits against AI opponents, aiming to complete a set number of laps first within a time limit.[9] Races typically begin with the player positioned behind the pack, requiring skillful overtaking maneuvers to advance through the field.[2] The gameplay emphasizes high-speed driving on tracks set in the fictional Ridge City, with vehicles drawn from various fictional automakers that provide diverse handling characteristics for strategic selection.[9] Central to the series' mechanics is the drifting system, which allows players to navigate corners at high speeds without significant momentum loss. Drifting is initiated by easing off the accelerator and steering sharply into a turn, often combined with handbrake application to adjust the slide angle.[10] Maintaining a drift involves counter-steering—opposing the turn direction with the steering input—to control the vehicle's trajectory and prevent spinning out, enabling "elite drifts" where multiple slides are chained near track walls for optimal speed retention.[9] This overexaggerated powersliding, a hallmark since the original 1994 arcade title, rewards precision and rewards aggressive cornering over realistic braking.[11] Power-ups are absent in the core series, but nitro boosts were introduced in later entries like Ridge Racers (2004) to provide temporary speed increases. These boosts are collected by building a meter through sustained drifting around corners, with up to three charges available for activation during straights or key moments.[12] In early games without nitro, such as the original Ridge Racer, pure driving skill sufficed, but in challenge modes like Max Tour events in subsequent titles, AI opponents have unlimited nitro usage, challenging players to master drifting strategy to keep pace and avoid constant overtaking by boosted rivals.[13][14] Multiplayer modes enhance the arcade experience, starting with split-screen options in console ports for local versus racing. Later titles introduced online features, supporting up to eight players in ad-hoc or networked lobbies for simultaneous races on shared tracks.[15] These modes maintain the series' focus on competitive overtaking, with variants like time attacks or ghost racing for asynchronous play. Track designs follow principles suited to drift-heavy gameplay, featuring looping circuits that encourage memorization and repeated laps. Courses incorporate elevation changes such as tunnels, bridges, and jumps to add verticality and visual flair, alongside windy hairpins, sweeping turns, and occasional shortcuts accessible via precise drifting.[9] Environmental hazards, primarily unforgiving barriers and walls, punish errors by causing crashes that halt progress, reinforcing the need for clean, momentum-preserving lines.[10]Setting
The Ridge Racer series takes place in the fictional metropolis of Ridge City, depicted as a sprawling urban environment where towering skyscrapers dominate the skyline alongside remnants of natural terrain. Races unfold on interconnected courses that weave through downtown streets, elevated freeways forming figure-eight circuits, mountainous passes, and beachside routes, blending city infrastructure with diverse landscapes to facilitate nonstop high-speed action.[16][17][18] The tracks evolve across the franchise to introduce dynamic environmental variations, including day and night cycles in Ridge Racer Revolution that alter visibility and ambiance on the same routes. Later installments like Ridge Racer 7 expand the scope to the broader Ridge State, presented via a world map highlighting multiple event locations ranging from urban loops to countryside transitions and rugged terrains such as highland cliffs.[19] Thematically, the setting evokes a high-energy futuristic urban atmosphere, with neon-illuminated cityscapes and pulsating techno soundtracks amplifying the sense of velocity and exhilaration during races. The physics emphasize abstract, arcade-style handling that prioritizes enjoyable drifting and speed over realistic simulation, contributing to the series' focus on immediate, competitive thrills.[20][21] Narratively, Ridge Racer employs minimalism, treating each race as a self-contained event centered on outpacing rivals through skill and momentum, eschewing deep plots in favor of pure arcade immersion.[22]Development
Origins
The Ridge Racer series originated from Namco's efforts to advance 3D arcade racing in the early 1990s, building on the company's prior simulation titles like the 1990 Eunos Roadster Driving Simulator, a collaboration with Mazda featuring a real Mazda MX-5 Miata chassis.[23] This foundation led to the development of an unreleased prototype called Sim Drive, which debuted as a location test at the JAMMA Amusement Machines Show in Japan from August 27 to 29, 1992.[24] Sim Drive served as the inaugural showcase for Namco's System 22 arcade hardware, employing innovative texture-mapped 3D polygons, Gouraud shading, and depth cueing to create immersive driving environments, though it remained limited to a small Japanese release in December 1992 before being reworked.[25][26] The prototype's core technology directly informed the first Ridge Racer game, which underwent an intensive eight-month development cycle under pressure to compete with rivals like Sega's Virtua Racing.[27] Directed by Namco's internal team, with designer Fumihiro Tanaka leading key aspects of gameplay and visuals, the project shifted from a more simulation-focused Formula 1 racer akin to Namco's earlier Winning Run series toward accessible, arcade-style racing emphasizing skill and spectacle.[27] Released in Japanese arcades on October 30, 1993, Ridge Racer ran at a smooth 60 frames per second in 640x480 resolution on the System 22 board, marking the first mass-market arcade title to utilize texture-mapped polygons for dynamic environments and vehicle models.[28][25] A hallmark innovation was the integration of drifting as a core mechanic, inspired by Japanese car culture and tuned for intuitive control, allowing players to powerslide through corners without complex simulation elements.[27] The arcade cabinet further enhanced immersion with a force-feedback steering wheel, providing realistic resistance and vibration to simulate road feel, which was later expanded in the Ridge Racer Full Scale variant using triple screens and additional sensory effects like wind fans and engine audio.[23] These features prioritized visual and auditory spectacle over strict realism, setting Ridge Racer apart as Namco's flagship racing title upon launch.[23] The game's debut achieved immediate acclaim in arcades, influencing the genre by favoring approachable, high-speed racing that rewarded player technique over simulation fidelity, and it quickly became a cornerstone of Namco's portfolio, driving hardware adoption and paving the way for console adaptations.[23][27]Evolution
Following the debut of the original Ridge Racer on Namco's System 22 arcade hardware in 1993, the series quickly expanded through sequels that built on its core drifting mechanics while introducing new content to sustain arcade appeal. Ridge Racer 2, released in 1994 on the same System 22 platform, added three new tracks and expanded the car roster to six vehicles, enabling linked multiplayer for up to eight players across cabinets, which enhanced competitive play in arcades. Rave Racer in 1995 further innovated by incorporating branching paths on its two new courses—City and Mountain—allowing drivers to choose alternate routes mid-race, alongside retaining tracks from prior entries for a total of four circuits. Later that year, Ridge Racer Revolution shifted to home consoles as a PlayStation port of Rave Racer, leveraging the system's capabilities for improved draw distance that reduced pop-in effects compared to arcade versions, marking an early step in hardware adaptation.[29][30] The transition to consoles solidified Ridge Racer's dominance, beginning with the 1994 PlayStation port of the original game, which served as a launch title in Japan and demonstrated near-arcade fidelity through texture mapping and a custom soundtrack on CD-ROM, though at 30fps rather than the arcade's 60fps. This port's success paved the way for deeper integration with Sony hardware, culminating in R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 in 1998, which utilized full CD-ROM capacity for enhanced visuals like higher polygon counts and licensed real-world music tracks from artists such as Garbage and Billy Joel, expanding the series' audiovisual identity. By the mid-2000s, the franchise peaked alongside next-generation consoles; Ridge Racer V launched with the PlayStation 2 in 2000, emphasizing graphical advancements such as depth-of-field effects and detailed particle simulations for tire smoke and sparks. Ridge Racer 6 in 2005, an Xbox 360 exclusive launch title, introduced online multiplayer for up to 14 players, fostering persistent competitive lobbies. Ridge Racer 7 followed in 2006 as a PlayStation 3 launch game, incorporating weather effects like dynamic lighting across day-night cycles to heighten immersion, while achieving 1080p resolution at 60fps.[1][30][31] As hardware diversified, the series ventured into portables with Ridge Racer DS in 2004, adapting touch-screen controls for analog steering on the Nintendo DS and supporting wireless multiplayer for up to six players, though it drew from older Ridge Racer 64 assets for its tracks. However, later entries signaled a decline, exemplified by Ridge Racer Unbounded in 2012, which prioritized environmental destruction—allowing players to smash through barriers to create shortcuts—over the traditional emphasis on precise drifting, drawing criticism for straying from the franchise's arcade roots. Development remained internal at Namco until the 2005 merger with Bandai formed Namco Bandai Games (later Bandai Namco), after which subsequent titles increasingly relied on external studios, such as Bugbear Entertainment for Unbounded, reflecting broader corporate shifts that diluted the series' focused identity.[32][33][34][35]Games
Main series
The main series of the Ridge Racer franchise encompasses the core arcade and console titles that established its signature arcade-style racing formula, characterized by high-speed action, accessible drifting, and vibrant, fictional urban tracks. Launching in arcades during the early 1990s, the series pioneered 3D polygonal racing on consumer hardware and rapidly expanded to home consoles, with the original PlayStation serving as a pivotal platform for ports and exclusives that brought the experience to a broader audience. This transition from coin-operated machines to cartridge- and disc-based systems allowed for enhanced content like additional tracks and modes, though hardware constraints influenced adaptations, such as the Nintendo 64's 64 MB cartridge limit, which restricted Ridge Racer 64 to fewer assets and simpler visuals compared to contemporary PlayStation entries.[36] Drifting remains a consistent mechanic throughout the main series, enabling players to maintain speed through sharp turns via controlled slides.[37] Reiko Nagase, the series' iconic promotional character, appears in multiple main entries to introduce races and provide visual flair.[38] The following table catalogs the main series titles in chronological order by initial release, highlighting key platforms and distinctive elements for each.| Title | Initial Release Year | Primary Platforms | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Racer | 1993 | Arcade (Namco System 22), PlayStation (1994 port) | Debuted 3D racing with six unlockable cars, four tracks, and emphasis on power sliding over simulation.[37] |
| Ridge Racer 2 | 1994 | Arcade (Namco System 22), PlayStation (1995 port) | Expanded to ten cars and six tracks, adding branching paths and improved opponent AI for dynamic races.[39] |
| Rave Racer | 1995 | Arcade (Namco System 22) | Introduced selectable difficulty levels and a diverse soundtrack with house, techno, and drum & bass genres across five tracks.[29] |
| Ridge Racer Revolution | 1995 | Arcade (Namco System 22), PlayStation (1996 port) | Featured reverse-track variants, mirror modes, and enhanced multiplayer for up to four players via link cable.[40] |
| Rage Racer | 1996 | PlayStation | Shifted to a grittier aesthetic with career progression, license tests, and tuned cars emphasizing handling over pure speed.[41] |
| R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 | 1998 | PlayStation | Introduced the Real Racing Roots '99 Grand Prix mode, featuring four teams and four manufacturers competing in a season set in 1999 across Japanese cities including Fukuoka and Yokohama; offered 26 cars, eight tracks with team affiliations, and a licensed-inspired soundtrack blending electronic and rock elements for immersive Grand Prix campaigns.[38][42][5] |
| Ridge Racer 64 | 2000 | Nintendo 64 | Ported core gameplay to N64 with three tracks (nine variants), 27 cars, and 3D controller support, adapted for cartridge limitations by prioritizing fog effects over texture detail.[43] |
| Ridge Racer V | 2000 | Arcade (Namco System 246), PlayStation 2 (2001 port) | Delivered 18 cars and 14 tracks with day and night cycles and refined nitrous boosts for smoother arcade pacing.[44] |
| Ridge Racer DS | 2004 | Nintendo DS | Utilized dual-screen for mini-map and touch controls, including six tracks and wireless multiplayer for up to four players. |
| Ridge Racer (PSP) | 2004 | PlayStation Portable | Launch title with 12 tracks from prior games, 58 cars, and 60 FPS performance optimized for handheld drifting.[45] |
| Ridge Racer 6 | 2005 | Xbox 360 | Xbox 360 launch title featuring 23 cars, 17 tracks, and customizable vehicles with a robust single-player structure. |
| Ridge Racer 2 (PSP) | 2006 | PlayStation Portable | Added nitrous mechanics, ad-hoc multiplayer for eight players, and new tracks blending classic and original designs. |
| Ridge Racer 7 | 2006 | PlayStation 3 | PS3 launch title with 40 cars, career mode spanning 28 events, and support for 1080p resolution at 60 FPS. |
| Ridge Racer 3D | 2011 | Nintendo 3DS | Leveraged 3D stereoscopic visuals with 12 tracks, 24 cars, and online multiplayer for up to eight racers. |
| Ridge Racer (Vita) | 2011 | PlayStation Vita | Featured faction-based progression, microtransaction unlocks, and touch-enabled machine selection across 15 tracks. |
| Ridge Racer Unbounded | 2012 | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Multi-platform entry introducing destructible environments, takedown mechanics, and a track editor for custom urban races.[46] |
