"This is the best racer for N64?"

I read the review at IGN64 about Ridge Racer 64 (RR64). Truth is, I'm not very familiar with the Ridge Racer series. But I wanted a good racing game for my N64. I saw a demo of RR64 running in a local store, and I thought it looked great. I even returned Top Gear Rally 2, to wait and get RR64 later.

After awhile, I found a mint copy of RR64 being sold for $30 (just like brand new, even shrinkwrapped -- but they couldn't sell it as new since someone had bought it and returned it -- actually, I think the store re-shrinkwrapped it, but everything was in perfect condition). So I spoiled myself and bought it.

For a N64 game, the graphics and sound were fine. I think what killed it for me was the gameplay. My opinion might be bias for a couple reasons: I already have Mario Kart and Star Wars Racer. Plus I have Need for Speed 3 (NFS3) for my PC. I was expecting the gameplay to more like NFS3, where you can drive anywhere (there are limits, but basically I mean in NFS3 you can drive off the road). In RR64, the controls just didn't suit me (I don't have a N64 steering wheel, just the regular N64 controller). It was too easy to hit the side of the track -- and despite what the graphics show, the track might as well be flanked by concrete walls. And as others have already stated, hitting another car (even if on the side) have a very ''bumper car'' feel that was just unappealing.

RR64 seemed to slow down in multiplayer (two player), and there was no replay in multiplayer mode. The game options felt very limited. In fact, I think I enjoyed Top Gear Rally 2 more than RR64. Sure, RR64 wins in the graphics department -- somehow I think the (single player only) replays look very nice (better than during game play). This might be because the replay goes faster (I never felt like I was going that fast, even in single player). Maybe I didn't give RR64 enough of a chance, but I tried it for 5 days. Star Wars Racer (SW:R) felt faster and had a lot more options. And Mario Kart is just a lot more fun. Plus, Mario Kart and SW:R both have wider tracks than RR64.

I really wanted to enjoy RR64, and maybe I expected too much. Maybe I was spoiled by having NFS3 on the PC. I still would like a good car-racer for my N64 (mostly for multiplayer). I'm thinking of giving Indy 2000 a try. But I've returned RR64 and got Tetrisphere instead -- and in one day, I've already played Tetrisphere more than I played RR64 :-)


Gameplay (5/10): Yes, the powerslides were fun -- but the bumper-car feel disappointed me too much. I felt there should have been more options. In single player, I think there are 11 cars, and you start in the back. To start, there are 4 different car types you can select from -- you can change car colors (somewhat), two methods of powerslides to choose from, different styles for two-player windows, and of course automatic or manual transmission. You can enable a handicap for the lead car of the race. There are 3 tracks to begin with (read IGN64 about the other tracks!). You can pick the number of racers and number of laps -- but the numbers you can pick depends on the game mode (single vs multiplayer). No replay after multiplayer races (as far as I could tell). The headlights are automatically controlled (they come on when the car goes in a tunnel,etc). Having weather variations (rain/dry), and day/night versions of the tracks would be a good option. Somehow I feel the PlayStation version is much better (even though I've never tried it).


Story (NA): I thought the lady on the front of the box would be in the game -- nope, just a static image on the title screen. Then again, I never advanced in the game (by opening new cars or tracks). I spent most of the play time in multiplayer, because that's what I wanted -- and Mario Kart is just a ''more fun'' multiplayer racing game. So maybe she appears later in the game. But RR64 doesn't even try to have a story.


Audio/Video (8/10): I didn't think the graphics or sound were terrible, but could have been better. But I'm not real picky, since I'd rather have good gameplay.


Replayability (NA): I don't think I can really comment here, since I didn't beat the game.


To buy or to rent? It might be worth renting, but I think there are better N64 racing games to be bought.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 06/11/00, Updated 06/11/00