Ridge Racer V

Ridge Racer V is a 2000 racing video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2. It was released as a launch title for the console and later followed by an arcade version subtitled Arcade Battle. Ridge Racer V is the fifth main title of the Ridge Racer series following R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 and the only one to be released on PlayStation 2 (excluding the spin-off R: Racing Evolution).

Moving away from Ridge Racer Type 4's approach, Ridge Racer V streamlined back to a simple racer without a story mode, set in fictional Ridge City based on circuits in and around the very first course introduced in Ridge Racer. Its licensed soundtrack also returns to a heavier sound, including featuring Boom Boom Satellites and Mijk van Dijk alongside Namco's composer Kohta Takahashi. The game also introduced a new race queen mascot, Ai Fukami, replacing Reiko Nagase.

Ridge Racer V was the highlight of PlayStation 2's original March 2000 launch. It received a positive reception for its visuals and speedy driving experience, but there was critique that it fell below expectations relative to the console's graphical assumptions, and divided critics for some elements such as its lack of content compared to its predecessor and noticeable jaggies. However, in retrospect, it has been considered one of the greatest arcade-style racers of all time, with praise given to its handling, environments, and challenge.

In Ridge Racer V the player is a racing driver taking part in events across Ridge City in a variety of fictional cars. As with previous Ridge Racer games, the focus is on accessible and fun drift racing rather than simulating how a car behaves in the real world; as such the player is encouraged to powerslide around most corners by tapping the brake when entering the turn. There are a total of fourteen courses in Ridge City, and visual filters can be applied to change the appearance. Sunny Beach and Green Field are the new names for Seaside Route 765 and Ridge City Highway respectively from the first Ridge Racer game. Ridge Racer V introduces five all new fictional vehicle manufacturers: Kamata, Danver, Rivelta, Himmel, and Soldat.

Racing on RRV is divided into different race formats. The primary mode is Grand Prix, a series of structured championships where the player races against 14 rivals across three laps in every track, including reversed courses. The completion of every Grand Prix which rewards the player with new cars. Other modes include Time Attack, a long distance endurance race called the 99 Trial, consisting of ninety-nine laps in the Sunny Beach course, and free runs on any of the unlocked courses. Two players can also take part in a split-screen race against one another. The time of day can also be chosen for most courses outside of the Grand Prix.

A special race is unlocked after the player fulfills certain requirements: it features the arcade game characters Pac-Man in a roadster and Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde on scooters. Winning this race unlocks special duel class cars for use in other game modes. Duel class cars can be won by defeating bosses in the game's Duel mode after fulfilling certain requirements. After all four bosses are defeated in Duel mode, Battle Royale is unlocked, allow the player to choose any duel class cars and challenge all four bosses in a boss rush race (including ones the player have selected).

Ai Fukami serves as the game's mascot girl, replacing Reiko Nagase. The game features a fictitious radio station, Ridge City FM (frequency 76.5 MHz), providing music and commentary.

With Ridge Racer V, Namco went back to basics like the original Ridge Racer, Ridge Racer 2 and Rave Racer were. The decision for the single city setting was taken near the beginning of development. The member in charge has cited the 1959 film Jazz on a Summer's Day as a sort of inspiration for the in-game starting camera, as well as the direction that would lead to the fictional Ridge City FM. He created it this way so that players would also be "buying the city". Ridge City's design elements consist of road tunnels and overpasses, monorail overpasses, intersections, views of the sea beyond the buildings, a setting sun during dusk, and reflecting lights during nighttime. Some parts of the city have a more foresty environment. The appearance and sounds of airplanes and seagulls were also added to create the city's "atmosphere" on a human level. The car engine sounds were recorded on a real circuit, including some of the development staff's own vehicles. Ken Ayugai provided the voiceover for Ridge City FM which is entirely in English.