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Ridge
Racer has been a popular series ever since it first
appeared on the PSone system. The game featured fast
cars, some very cool tracks and music and sound effects
that were exactly like playing an arcade game. The
series has gone through several changes over the years;
some for the better and some not so great. Still Ridge
Racer is one of those arcade-racing games that offer
fast pace action and is always fun to play.
When
I first heard that Ridge Racer was making its way
to the DS system, I was a bit surprised as well as
concerned how they where going to make use of the
touch screen. I really thought the game might be ruined
by the new controls. After playing the DS version,
all I can say is out of all the games so far for the
DS system Ridge Racer is one of the best out there.
While Super Mario DS is great and graphically outstanding,
Namco managed to throw in several different things
in this game and the end result is one of the best
games for the DS so far!
Now it is not perfect and the controls will take a
while to learn. The regular button controls even take
awhile yet, after a few races it's really good just
a little touchy. You will have to learn how far to
steer the cars and learn to drift in order to win.
The touch screen control method will challenge even
the best gamer out there. It is neat and works, however,
it is far from being easy to learn. They even have
a control system for the thumb stylus that is on the
DS strap and is marked expert mode. After trying it
out, I can agree it will take an expert to have fun
using the thumb strap. I will say in all fairness
to the game and the DS system that in time it is something
that can be learned and works as promised. It is just
the fact the learning curve is long. From the very
start of the game the intro is slick and features
a catching opening with that familiar music and voices
added. Gamers can go into a quick race right away
and jump right into the action. Racers may want to
adjust the drivers view to one of the other two settings
since the game by default is set to the first person
view. Setting it to the outside view will allow you
to see the track and turns allowing you to get used
to the layout of the track. Then if you like the drivers
view, set it back later after learning the game.
 Ridge
Racer also features a Grand Prix mode where you try
and earn the first place position for each track in
that series. If you succeed you earn a trophy, then
it will unlock the car attack mode. This is the mode
that you can win new cars and add them to your garage
by beating the AI racer. The AI driver is no push
over and it is a challenge. There is also a time attack
mode and several multi-player modes allowing up to
6 players racing against each other. You will have
to master 20+ tracks to beat the game and while it
may sound easy it is a challenge.
Graphically,
the game has some really neat things added. Helicopters
will follow you filming the race. You will pass huge
TV monitors that will feature some other Namco classic
games in action and even a few Nintendo characters
manage to find there way into the game for a special
appearance. After a race you can watch the replay
of the race from several angles to see where you may
need to brush up certain sections and it is dead on
accurate. The sound is great and if you really want
to hear how neat the sounds are, plug in a set of
headphones. You will hear things that you won't hear
through the speakers. For examples, the helicopters
will be heard in the right or left ear depending on
where they are coming from. The sound is dead on and
so life like it is amazing. You will also hear speedboats
and while going through a tunnel, the extra effect
of the engines being amplified off the walls of the
tunnels. They really nailed down the sounds effects
right down to the tires squealing. Of course, you
will also hear the announcer telling you to hurry
up or giving you a compliment as well as letting you
know if you just beat the lap record.
Ridge
Racer shows what the DS is capable of doing. It does
not push the
limits of the system yet, shows that the system is
capable of pulling off several things at once. It's
not perfect but it is a blast to play and worth the
money. It also shows what a game can look like when
done by someone who took the time and not just rushed
it out to market.
Now
there are times when all the cars seem to look a bit
blocky and blend into the tracks scenery, however,
after playing for awhile the cars do look good for
a hand held system. If that is my only complaint to
throw in, I then have to say Ridge Racer will make
any racing fan that owns a DS happy. Just be prepared
to take time learning the control if you want to use
the touch screen wheel. Namco has once again showed
why they are known as great game makers. They gave
racing fans a solid racing game that looks good and
sounds fantastic while offering a real challenge!
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