"A must-have for fans of the racing genre."

Although this game, in my opinion, is underrated, it certainly exceeded my expectations. Being a fan of the Ridge Racer for the original Playstation, this was one of the few launch games for Nintendo DS that appealed to me. Am I glad I decided to purchase it.

Gameplay: 7/10
At first, I found it extremely difficult to drive my car. I would constantly hit other cars, walls, and never would be able to make those sharp turns. However, with a little bit of practice, the number of objects I hit slightly lessened. Then eventually, it reached one or two things per race. Overall, the gameplay aspect of the game is far above average.

Control: 9/10
There are three different types of controls that can be used while playing: Control Pad, Stylus, and Wrist Strap. Control Pad being the easiest, Stylus being hard, and the Wrist Strap strictly for experts only. Basically, there is something for everyone, and no one will be left disappointed with the controls. However, some cars are more sensitive than others on turns, which is the only flaw.

Graphics: 5/10
This area was sort of a disappointing to me. The game is obviously 3D, but the graphics don't seem like they are using the full potential of the Nintendo DS's power. I also dislike the colors used, as they affect gameplay. For example, in the nighttime track, all of the colors blend together, making it harder to see the track. However, it's not all bad. Great-looking backgrounds accompany the racetracks. The cars look realistic, from the front wheels to the bumper.

Sound: 10/10
The sound was simply amazing. Beautiful sound effects are packed with every race; the ones I personally like are when you hit other cars, and the screeching tires. Also, you have the ability to choose what song you want to be played on your car radio while you race. These songs aren't great, in my opinion, but they are appropriate for the racing atmosphere.

Replayability: 8/10
This game is simply addictive for the first few weeks. I found myself not putting this game down, and bringing my Nintendo DS with me almost everywhere. After everything is unlocked and all the races completed, I did not play as much anymore. However, if you have a few friends, the multiplayer is extremely fun. Even after a few months of owning the game and beating it, I still play multiplayer races with friends every now and then.

Overall: 8/10
Most people dislike this game, or have taken the word from only one review, such as GameSpot, and have made their minds up about this game without ever having the chance to play it. It is far above the average game, and is a must-own game for all fans of the racing genre.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/01/05