Polling the Electorate 2: Ridge Racing

[Neon Ignition]

A fun one to counter the other heavier topic. With the recent announcements of the 3DS and PSP2 launches there's been a fair bit of discussion about the upcoming future Ridge Racer titles that will/likely launch with the formats as has become tradition for the series.

Mobile titles/Evo aside though, which is the greatest entry in the series which has played about with its core mechanics a bit as the years have rolled by?

[Dogg Thang]

Not an easy choice. In ways, PSP Ridge Racer 2 seems the obvious candidate. It's incredibly polished and has all the best tracks. But Type 4 was really special to me and still is. Something in the look, the colours, how it was rendered coupled with the style, both in music and design (menus etc.) just made it totally unique. And I loved the handling. While those same tracks appear in PSP RR2, with the handling, I didn't find them quite as much fun.

So I went for Type 4.

There are loads of great Ridge Racers though. It's a series that, when the effort is put in, usually always delivers.

[Mad Gear]

Deffo Type 4 for me too. It looked cool (had the one of my favourite intro movies ever) had some cracking tunes and was much more of a complete game than all previous Ridge titles.

[Atticus]

First one for me. It's a pure arcade game, quality over quantity ... it's colourful, loud, and nails that trademark handling first go.

[Darwock]

Your missing one, but I can't remember the exact title. The one on the GC. Was it R: Racing Evolution?

[Mad Gear]

Even Namco would rather forget that one?

[Neon Ignition]

I almost put R: Racing Evolution in but as it differs so heavily from the rest of the series I decided to skip it. Ridge Racer 64 wasn't worth listing either

I went for Rage Racer. I don't know why but I always had a soft spot for that one even though it deviates a little from the earlier games. Type 4, I dunno, something didn't click with me and RR5 felt very cheap and soulless. Though I enjoy the later entries it's the addition of the Boost that costs them the top spot.

[C']

Where's Ridge Racer 2?

That game ate so many 50 pence pieces back in the day. Yes it was "only" the same (briliant) course again but the fantastic soundtrack (I still maintain Ridge Racer 2/Revolution is the best set of music Namco have put together in any Ridge title) and link play felt massive at the time. Always had that "one more race" factor whenever we found a Ridge 2 cabinet on holiday.

Saying that I still wouldn't vote for it though

Purely because of the magnificent Rave Racer. The 2 new courses remain some of the best designed in the series. Mountain is an amazingly technical course which makes it incredible to race with 2 equally matched players. And the infamous drop off the cliff if you misjudge that one bend was genius. Shame it was cut from the Ridge Racers version. I remember playing Rage Racer and it felt like such a kick in the balls compared to Rave. with it's horrible clunky handling that seemed to want to punish you for drifting and miserable grey colour scheme.

I do think there feels something slightly purer about the controls on any of the arcade versions compared to the home games.

If I had to pick a favourite home game would probably be Ridge Racer Revolution. Again some wonderful course design (Expert was a right bitch to master but feels brilliant once you've learnt it), classic Ridge feel, the brilliant RR2 music and link up play. Reminds me of when Namco were a genuinely amazing developer. And now I'm sad...

Oh and you missed Ridge Racer 64 off your list too but again, probably for the best.

[charlesr]

Even Namco would rather forget that one?

One of the best driving games ever that R:Racing was. Gfx were a bit duff though.

I like the original arcade version. I was awesome at it, although it made me a poor student.

[kernow]

Ridge Racer DS


Really enjoyed Rage Racer at the time, but I'm going with RR:R


And why hasn't there been a *inhale*

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDGGGGGGGE
RACERRRRRRRRRR

yet

[QualityChimp]

I don't think I've ever owned a Ridge Racer game.

I've always wanted some other premise to go with the racing like the tuning of Gran Turismo or the chasing of Driver, so I always felt if I bought a RR game, I'd find it too disposable.

I was really tempted by Ridge Racer Type 4 after reading the review in Arcade magazine that explained that although there are only a few courses, they're very different depending on which vehicle you're in.

I also like the design of RRT4, especially Wools' avatar.

Besides, what's not to love about a game where you can drive Pac-Man?!



If I were to pick up either Ridge Racer 6 or 7, which one should I go for?

[teddymeow]

Not an easy choice. In ways, PSP Ridge Racer 2 seems the obvious candidate. It's incredibly polished and has all the best tracks. But Type 4 was really special to me and still is. Something in the look, the colours, how it was rendered coupled with the style, both in music and design (menus etc.) just made it totally unique. And I loved the handling. While those same tracks appear in PSP RR2, with the handling, I didn't find them quite as much fun.

So I went for Type 4.

There are loads of great Ridge Racers though. It's a series that, when the effort is put in, usually always delivers.

My God! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!

I couldn't have put it any better myself. Oh, except you missed how hawt Reiko looked in the intro video.

Type 4, I salute you.

[Neon Ignition]

Just had a flick through Youtube and it's true, Type 4 does have the best intro

[k0pp0]

Agreed.

[Brodie]

Revolution was my first PlayStation racing game, and I lvoed it to death. Rage never clicked as much for me, but Ridge 4, oh my...

The Ace Combat sky, the brake light trails, the music, the courses, that intro movie - pure perfection.

My mobile alarm clock plays Lucid Rythms, and my ringtone is On Your Way. so I guess it's stuck with me

HD version please kthnx Namco