"A great game with a few flaws..."

Story:

Most Ridge Racer titles usually take on more of a city-esque as appose to recent Underground and illegal street racing replicas that we've recently seen, so unfortunately there's no true storyline.

Audio:

I found myself quite fond of the Audio presentation in Ridge Racer DS. Although the background music may seem non-existent due to the loud engine effects, it adds an overall nice atmosphere and brings us back to the nostalgic arcade days. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the sound effects.

By far, I must say that Ridge Racer may have the worst engine sound effects I've ever heard. From tires screeching, to rubber burning... Namco was not able to perfect the sound effect quality in the DS version as they have with previous Ridge Racer titles that I‘ve briefly played. Although this may not be too big of a concern, I felt as if this prohibited Ridge Racer DS from feeling more immersive and pragmatic.

While engine effects may be inexcusable, the background music makes up for the lack thereof. The stylish arcade music is more than enjoyable, so change the sound settings, and you'll feel satisfied.

Visuals:

I've heard numerous objections about the graphical quality in Ridge Racer DS, and I must say that I am quite surprised. I'd say that the visuals sported by Ridge Racer DS are astonishing when you consider that this is a handheld. Although it may not be comparable to the upcoming PSP version Ridge Racers, the visuals in this game are top-of-the-line for a Nintendo DS game.

I'm new to the Ridge Racer series, so naturally this is a new experience for me, however I quickly realized that the beautifully detailed environments are first-rate. Of course, series veterans may feel as if the graphics are recycled (considering that this is an N64 port), but I just can‘t see how that would be the case. The beautiful lighting effects, along with gorgeous settings make great eye-candy (possibly curable to stigmatisms). Overall, Ridge Racer DS is by far one of the most graphically enhanced games on the Nintendo DS, ignore other complaints.

Gameplay:

Although Ridge Racer DS may fail in some departments (i.e. sound), you'll overall find victory in the gameplay subdivision.

First and foremost, allow me to say that this is one of the most fast-paced handheld racers that I've ever seen, making a fresh experience when compared to other slow-paced handheld racers (Asphalt: Urban GT anyone?). With great gameplay comes great replay value, however there are some flaws that may dissuade you away from picking up Ridge Racer DS again.

For instance, while racing if you side-swipe your challenger, the car sprite will immediately jump ahead of you, yet while if you hit your opponent from the rear [of the car] nothing will happen. I found this to be very perplexing, while frustrating at the same time. When it comes down to the "final stretch" and you and an opponent are neck-and-neck, trying to sideswipe will only give him the advantage in the end. I thought that this was unfair, due to the fact that this problem was unfixable, yet present for every race.

Another glitch I found to be present throughout most of the game was the so-called "fishtail" method. This maneuver is very hard to pull off, and when you do manage to learn this technique, you'll be quick to find that pixels [of the car] begin to go underneath the road, and sporadically "appear" in various places on the car... another mystery of Ridge Racer DS perhaps?

While Asphalt: Urban GT uses the bottom-screen as a map, Namco has decided to implement a steering wheel into the touch-screen, creating an innovative concept [remember, I said "innovative concept"]. In order to access the steering wheel control method, you must go to the options menu and select this option. Although this was an "innovative concept" it just doesn't quite work out when it‘s all said and done. You 'may' eventually grow used to this control method, but it is in no way as satisfying as using the directional pad. Controlling the cars is hard enough while using the D-pad (due to bad handling), and using the touch-screen to control your car is just foolish.

I really was excited to see how this [steering wheel] concept would play out, for it is what initially caught my attention. I tried to like this control scheme, but I certainly could not adjust to it. I would have been more happy with a map on the bottom-screen then this.

One main downfall I found throughout gameplay was the fact that the tiny map on the top-left corner of the bottom-screen doesn't display your opponents. It basically displays where you are on the current course, but nothing else... making this a cluttered, and useless mess. You can't peek behind you to see if your rivals are gaining on you, nor can you see them on the map... so the announcer is basically the only one that will alert you of oncoming challenger(s) catching up to you. I found this to make gameplay more difficult then it already is, and I'm sure that you will too.

It's very easy to tell that this game is unfinished. The lack of different modes creates a tapering variety, and the fact that the wireless multiplayer mode is bland doesn't make up for the glitches. You may be disappointed by Ridge Racer DS, and it may take you a while to actually get used to this game due to the harsh difficulty, but when you look past these flaws, you will find an overall enjoyable experience... for a short period of time that is.

Play Value:

I'm very thankful that I've had the opportunity to play Ridge Racer DS. As time progresses, you'll eventually earn more cars (Via Car Attack mode), and grow slightly addicted to this game as I first did. Although it's nothing you can't put down, it's still an overall "nice" experience for the time being. There was a time when I would play this game for hours, yet this time period lasted shorter than a week, and after that, I began to lose interest, and I presume that you will to. There's really nothing that makes you ‘want' to come back, which leaves an empty cup of replay value.

Conclusion:

Although Ridge Racer DS has a plentiful amount of faults at hand, you won't feel completely unsatisfied. When compared to Asphalt: Urban GT, Ridge Racer DS has the advantage. Although there's glitches-a-plenty and very little tracks, you'll be able to find something in RRDS that's non-existent in Asphalt: Urban GT... a good time.

Overall, I would advise a rental. Although Ridge Racer DS is fun for a limited time, it's not worth a purchase.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/13/05