Ridge Racer

"An oldie but still a goodie"

Ridge Racer was one of them big-boxed games from the old days, its outstanding backgrounds and car concepts made it a legend.

The game itself isn't quite long, i mean.. it's an old game, what else could you expect. The tracks are very similar to each other, that being my one minus.. most tracks are just partial segments of one whole, and to that not as differently changed. Anyhow, cars were the big deal here, you got to use most of the namco logo carrying cars and there was no other option except for the limited 13 cars, and their limited color schemes. Other than that the game is quite good, it handles with as much reason and approach to reality as any racing game, this being the one distinction the Ridge Racer series is proud to host.

Aside the graphics and what not, the game hosted a variety of very well done sounds and well chosen tracks, even at that the annoying "One lap to go!" announcer was pretty kewl too. Another option that this game had was starting a race and taking off the cd to place whichever other you wanted, giving you the option to listen to whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted. Still, it's soundtrack was really well at that.. most Ridge Racer games have kewl soundtracks, heck.. most namco games.

I guess all i need to say here is, taking in consideration how old the game is.. the graphics are quite revolutionary, the sound effects of cars skidding past the curve and through tunnels was kewl as well, car concepts.. even though not much revolutionary, were also a large plus. The soundtrack was really good to begin with, though somewhat annoying after a couple times of hearing it. Handling is a plus too, you get to really distinguish how one car differs from the other, and how well it drives in different tracks or turns.

The game's at the greatest hits, even though you can also find for the same price two of the other three games, i don't consider this a must buy.. but atleast a must play.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99