R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

"Buy it if you like non-realistic games, if you like realism get Gran Turismo."

This game is an average racing game with mediocre graphics. One I picked up this game, I thought I was going to be blasted into the world of speed, great sound, and superb control. Unfortunately I was disappointed. This game isn't nearly as fun as any of the Ridge Racer arcades.

The graphics in this game aren't that good. If you ever played Gran Turismo you would see what I mean. The car designs are pretty smooth, but lack the complexity of the ones in Gran Turismo. The thing that usually doesn't matter to most people, but really affected me was that there is no smoke coming from your wheels when you skid. The replays in this game are nothing special. The sound during the replay sucks, and the graphics aren't all that good.

The sound effects in this game are average, but the music is not bad. In fact it is some of the best music I have heard in a racing game. I am not saying the music itself is good, but it fits perfectly during the game. The music can actually be used as a guide in some levels. In at least one level different points in the music told me how and where to turn, because it repeated after every lap.

The gameplay itself is not much different from the arcade version. The physics engine this are not impressive, but what do you expect from an arcade game. The power slides aren't very controllable, and feel unrealistic. The crashing into the walls is what gets me really mad. Instead of bouncing from the wall, the car sticks to it. This gets very annoying because minor accidents really affect your game. The mirror in this game is almost useless. Since the cars only show up when they're right behind you, it is hard to prevent someone from passing you.

When you first start the game you have a choice of starting a tournament, or time trials. The tournament is a sequence of races in which you have to place at certain places to win the race. The time trials is just racing against your best records. The 2 player racing is just what it sounds like.

This game is worth buying just because it is fun to play when you are bored, no other reason. If you like non-realistic, arcade-like game play then this is an average game for you. If you like realism and good graphics then get Gran Truismo, and stay away from this.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 07/05/02