"A wonderful racing game comes home to the Nintendo 64."

The first game developed by Nintendo's new in-house developer - Nintendo Software Technology (or NST for short), and they have certainly got off to a good start. Originally only available on Playstation the game has made the move onto the Nintendo 64 and boy is it good. Ridge Racer 64 keeps true to its roots on the Playstation by offering fast paced competitive racing action with its unique car physics and racey audio soundtrack. Ridge Racer 64 offers some of the best graphics, audio and gameplay seen in a racing game and this is kept true in the Nintendo 64 version.

However - don't just think it's a straight conversion because it is far from it.

The Nintendo version has pulled together tracks from both Ridge Racer games on the Playstation plus three all new Nintendo 64 exclusive tracks all of - adding up to ten tracks in total - this number doubles to twenty when you unlock the secret reverse tracks. Lets not forget the range of 25 futuristic cars available to play in Ridge Racer 64. Many have to be earned in the special 'car attack' mode where you can race against the car you want to possess - and if you beat it, you can drive it! For the first time in a Ridge Racer game four players can go head to head on any of the twenty tracks without any frame-rate slowdown (there is still no fog what-so-ever).

The slick menus offer plenty of options for you to exhaust, obviously the best place to start is the Grand Prix. From here you can begin to race against other competitors advancing through races as you take first place. Once you take out more races the chance to win other cars becomes available. It is almost essential that you win cars as you progress as they are more powerful and are helpful in latter levels where the pace really begins to heat up. There are three save slots so three players are able to save their own games and your progress is easily readable from this menu.

The incredible 60fps frame-rate this game gives some very nice visuals. The graphics tend to focus on making the game appear fast and furious rather than pretty. From the word go the scenery is great but it's the speed that it goes by which is impressive and it's what makes this game, the fact that the graphics are clear, uncluttered and smooth. As the road is eaten up before you as your car hits speeds excess of 300 km/h you really begin to admire just how well NST have done with this port.

The soundtrack is very fast and upbeat which adds a great deal to the gameplay and feel of this already quick game. With eight different songs available there is plenty of variety, and as an added feature at the start of each race you can choose the song of your choice. Of course also coming out of the speakers is some very nice sound effects - from the sound of burning rubber to the roar of the engine flying up through the gears - the clarity is good and the realism even better. There is an announcer who is around enough to be helpful and enjoyable but not enough to be annoying as experienced in some racing games.

If you’re looking for a pedal-to-the-metal, fast and highly attractive game this is for you. While the game leans more to the 'unreal' in terms of car physics it is still a good drive and a game which once picked up soon becomes highly addictive. If you prefer a realistic driving sim take a look at World Driver Championship. However Ridge Racer 64 has plenty of options meaning you won't be bored and you most certainly will be playing this game for a long time.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/15/02, Updated 10/15/02