R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

"The last great Ridge Racer game."

One of the better Play Station launch games back in 1995 was Ridge Racer. A fun 3D arcade racer that was easily ported to the Play Station. In 1996 the sequel Ridge Racer Revolution was released featuring more cars, courses, but the same graphics engine. In 1997 the third installment of Ridge Racer arrived. Known as Rage Racer, it featured a new graphics engine, new courses with a European theme, and semi-customizable car features. It had a currency system and fake car manufacturers. 1999, the fourth and final entry to the Ridge Racer series on the Play Station, R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 hit the stores. Out of all the sequels R4 was the most improved.

GRAPHICS- The graphics engine fully utilized the Play Station's old and dated hardware. The game has 8 beautifully designed courses (which is an amazing departure from older versions as they have only one track that is divided into several sections), each course has a unique color scheme that sets the mood of where ever you are. Perhaps some of the most dramatic effects in the graphics is the replays. Motion blur is used to make the replays more visually impressive. There are tons of graphical special effects as well. In the final high speed course, as you near completion a fireworks display is shown over the horizon. That's my favorite. The menus are beautifully designed, its smart, sharp, and in high res. The game runs in solid 30 frames per second 98.9% of the time with no visible pop out. Even on 2-player mode (that's right) the graphics remain very sharp with no visible pop-outs, please note that the PS2 game Ridge Racer 5 has fog problems on 2 player mode, shows you that this game was better developed. On the second disc, you can play an enhanced version of the original Ridge Racer (to commemorate then the game's 5 year anniversary) with silky smooth 60 frames per second and high resolution visuals.

SOUND- The music in this game is spot on. You got racing tunes infused with acid jazz sounds to compliment the smooth track designs and stylish graphics. The announcer is much more better than the older versions of the game being not annoying.

GAMEPLAY- A new twist for the series is a Grand Prix mode where you play through the game's 8 courses with a small story told. Whichever team you choose from all of them have a unique story. Notable is when you choose to join an American team, you are told that your team is under funded making victory very hard to grasp. The racing is your classic RR fare but with a new twist. The 321 (most are different variations of the same car) cars on this game belong to either a DRIFT class or a GRIP class. DRIFT cars rely on power sliding on tight corners while GRIP cars fully uses the car's traction system to attack the tight corners. Both are amazingly fun to use. New to this game is the in-game 2 player mode. In previous versions you have to link-up your PS systems. Now you can go head to head split screen.

In the end this is a much improved game over its predecessors and as of now even future sequels. Both Ridge Racer 5 and R: Racing Evolution failed to improve the series. This is the best of the Ridge Racer games. 8/10.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/04