Ridge Racer
Strengths: Awesome music, Graphics that show off the PSP's power, Solid controls
Weakness: Repetitive after awhile, AI can be cheap
This version of Ridge Racer is a significant upgrade over its DS counterpart. If you're into arcade racers, then this is the game for you. The graphics, sound, and controls all come together in a very slick package. Especially when using the nitrous boost, you can really feel the speed. The AI, however, is a little unbalanced: way too easy at the beginning and frustrating toward the end. There could also be a little more variation amongst the 24 tracks in the game. But I can't really complain- Ridge Racer is the best game that came out of the PSP launch.
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TopSolid but not perfect racer
Strengths: Great graphics, Unlockables, Soundtrack
Weakness: Unlicensed cars, Drift system, Computer AI, Analog Control
If you've played any previous ridge racers then you have an idea of what this game is about--This is an arcade racer and not a simulation like Gran Turismo. It runs at a smooth and crisp 60 FPS. As a tweak to previous games in the series, Namco has added Nitro boost. It is accumulated after performing drifts, 180s and the like. When I first played with the analog stick I felt I had no control. After switching to the pad, I noticed I was able to drift and control my car with relative ease, So I would highly recommend using the pad. The AI is not so great considering when you start the race, the first place car is WAY ahead already and you have to make a great push to catch up. For the most part that can be done. There are a good amount of cars you can unlock, however they are unlicensed and remind me of Burnout in that they look like generic type of cars. I thought they could use a little more variation for the tracks in the game especially since some of them are rehashed from previous versions. However, I would recommend this game and feel it's the best handheld racer I've played to date.
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zoglog
- Mar 30, 2005
Ridge Racer
Strengths: Great graphics, fun gameplay, Easy to get into, Saves after every race you complete, Great soundtrack
Weakness: Analog Nub is only ok with this game, Some people will not like the drifting system, AI is kind of dumb.
This is a great starting game for the PSP. It's an arcade style racer that's really easy to get into. Taking corners is incredibly easy (almost too easy) and works in the form of power sliding/drifting. All you have to basically have to do is release the gas or break slightly and then turn. When drifting you preform all sorts of crazy cornering that would be impossible in any logical physics simulation. It's like you suddenly change direction sometimes but you're going just as fast as if the car was on some sort of rails. Anyway of course it's still a blast to play and the music soundtrack is fantastic. It has a bunch of songs from previous ridge racers and some new ones. One thing I especially like is the ability to save in between tracks in tournament sets. This allows me to finish a track during a short spurt and when I have time go back to finish the next track in the sequence. Also if I mess up on a later track I don't have to replay the whole series of tracks just so I can try that track again. All in all I found this game relatively satisfying =).
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TopFlashy and accessible but not very deep
Strengths: Good-looking, high-speed fun. Unlockable bonus content.
Weakness: Playing the same handful of tracks gets repetitive.
Whenever Sony releases a new console, you can be sure Namco will be there with a new version of its Ridge Racer franchise. This edition is almost like a best-of pack, consisting of graphically-updated tracks from the past four versions of the game. It's not just a rehash, however, as they've also added a new Nitro-boosting feature.
The name of the game is drifting. Throw your car into a corner and hope you slide through it unscathed. The game does not allow realism to force your cars into slowing down and ruining your fun. Properly executed, powersliding around corners will be faster than applying your brakes and approaching a corner the technically proper way. Don't worry about losing control, however, because when you initiate a drift, the car seems to go into auto-pilot; you just need to make sure your nose is oriented in the proper direction by the time you exit the curve. It controls very naturally with the digital pad.
The tracks selection is where you can knock points against the game. You only get a handful of "levels," however every race has a different configuration of roads that allows you to take. It mixes up these combinations liberally while also allowing you to race backwards on them. At the end of the day, though, you're still racing through the same places you've been before.
If you want to show off a good-looking game to your friends, this is definitely the one to choose. However after plowing through the progression, you'll find the only reason you'll play through the repetitive tracks are to unlock the bonus cars, art, and movie clips.
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TopRidge Racer PSP
Strengths: Excellent hand-held racer
Weakness: A bit difficult
Ridge Racer was the first normal racer (the non-normal one being Wipeout Pure) that I got for my PSP, and still the best. Ridge Racer is a fairly simple racer - the key to winning is to try to hug corners and avoid crashing.
However, there are two 'tricks' that must be used to advance in the game - drifting and nitrous. Drifting allows you to slide through turns without slowing down. Drifting also fills up your nitrous meter. When this is full you can use it for a speed boost (best used in straight-aways).
The graphics and sound on this title are impressive - you will have to be careful you don't stare at the scenery too much instead of watching the road.
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TopRidge Racer - now on PSP!
Strengths: *incredible graphics* - *replayablility* - *great sound*
Weakness: *Can be hard at times using the PSP analog stick*
Ridge Racer is a staple of Sony's Playstation line of consoles - so there was no surprise it was released on PSP.
Having played the others, I recognize some of the tracks. The classic tracks as well as a few new ones were added for this title.
Gameplay wise, this incarnation of Ridge Racer puts more emphasis on the 'drift' ability. That is, taking turns by drifting your car will earn you Nitro boost this time around. By combining drift with a turn, you can really get the get-go on an opponent. However, the PSP controls can be hard to use at time, especially when trying to execute the drift manuever.
Graphics wise, this game is definitely one of the best titles currently available on the PSP. Shiny Surfaces and detailed environments put this game on top.
Game also has a kickin soundtrack. Make sure you have the sound blasting when you play this game.
Overall, id give this game a 9/10.
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TopRidge Racer PSP
Strengths: Graphics, Game Play, Variety of Tracks & Races
Weakness: Wish online was via intenet and not local
Ridge Racer for the PSP is one of the few must own games out for the PSP. It provides a nice blend of graphics and racing in an addictive fashing that makes you not want to put it down until you clear the level and get a new car. The drifting system takes a while to get used to, but once you do the game provides a lot of fun. The game is a little price at $40, but if you're only going to get 1 driving game for the PSP, this is the one.
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TopSUPER! FAST PACE DRIFTER ACTION RACING! BEST RIDGE...
Strengths: Lots of Car! FUN detailed Race Tracks! Addicting Fun Gameply!
Weakness: AI is kinda wack & unfair! Lots of the same tracks we all played before!
Ridge Racer for the PSP is gotta be one of my most played game on the PSP! And my personal Favo! With the added addition of Nitrous & drifting!
Pros: Gameply! Gameply! Gameply! Drifting is just too sweet in this game! Music has a trance like music, which fits perfectly with the gameply! Lots of tracks & Cars to pick from!
Cons: AI is unfair IMO, I mean once the race starts the lead car is like half way down the track already! total BS! Many of the race tracks have been seen in past ridge racer games before!
Overall: 4 OUTTA 5 (1 of the few must have ridge racer games!)
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TopBeautiful
Strengths: Awesome graphics
Weakness: Touchy controls
I'd kill for a real analog stick! That's absolutely the only problem with Ridge Racer for the PSP--it has killer graphics, lovely levels, cool cars, a great sense of speed, wonderful draw distance... but man... you need something better to control with than the PSP's lame analog nub. The load times are also bad, but nothing that you can't get used to... for a patient person who's willing to miss the occasional turn due to the analog nub, this is the best handheld racer available and worth every single penny.
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TopRidge Racer
Strengths: Great graphics. Good controls. Many race courses and cars.
Weakness: Cars are not licensed.
I bought this game at launch and still play it. It gives me the racing fix that I can't get from Wipeout. Which is to be able to drift around corners and overtake opponents by squeezing in between them. This of course is unrealistic but I prefer arcade controls over the realistic ones in Gran Turismo. Which people will compare with, once its available.
The only thing I will give Gran Turismo is that it will have licensed cars and this game does not.
No matter how cool the red sports car looks in the game, it isn't something I can relate to. So there's none of that owning a Corvette to beat the Viper feel to it.
Personally, I haven't gotten through half the game, so it hasn't gotten boring yet.
Buy it if you are looking for a good racing game. Don't if you are looking for more.
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TopRidge Racer
Strengths: Great Gameplay, Graphics are amazing, great music
Weakness: A bit boring, control isnt that good with the nub.
This is THE game to show off to your friends if you had just bought a PSP. This game is soo fun, the multiplayer is also a great addition. The sense of speed is crazy, namco really outdid themselves with this. During some loading scenes, you will get acquainted with a Rally X mini-game that is a nice added bonus that is very fun as well. The only things I did not like, was that world tour got a bit boring after a while, and the control with the analog nub wasnt that comfortable... Overall, id reccomend this to you if you like racing games.
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TopRidge Racer
Strengths: 60 FPS, 24 tracks, new original music along with updated music tracks and music tracks from previous Ridge Racer titles, great graphics, wi-fi multiplayer
Weakness: Game too easy
This game is a must buy for any Ridge Racer fan or fans of the arcade racing genre. This game is pure andrenline rush with crazy drifting as seeen in previous Ridge Racer games. Ridge Racer for the PSP is basically a compilation of the best tracks and music from the Ridge Racer series put into 1 game. All tracks have been updated with better graphics to show off the capabilities of the PSP. The game is very smooth at a blazing 60 FPS. In addition, Namco has added a Nitro boost to the game, never before seen in a Ridge Racer title. The more you drift, the faster your nitro accumulates. Once the nitro meter is filled, you can use it to gain a short turbo boost. The only thing I did not like about Ridge Racer is that it was too easy. Drifting is very easy as the game tends you pull you towards the middle of the road, no matter the angle you enter into turns. It's also very easy to get into 1st place for many of the tour races as the computer AI doesnt offer much of a challenge. But other than that, the racing in this game is fantastic and I had a blast playing this game.
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TopBest PSP Racing Game
Bestcovery experts have rated the Namco Bandai Ridge Racer (PSP) as the Best PSP Racing Game. Bestcovery's experts recommend the best products and services for a particular need based on extensive research and evaluations. Click below to see Bestcovery's full review of this product.
TopRidge Racer
TestSeek.com has collected 9 expert reviews for Ridge Racer and the average expert rating is 89 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use TestSeek.com to find all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
TopRidge Racer
Ridge Racer receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS rating of 3.59 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #308 game of all time, #3 game of 2005 for the PlayStation Portable and #5 PlayStation Portable game of all time. The rating and ranking is based on an average of 96 critic scores, awards and other criteria. To see a breakdown of the game ranking, read individual critic reviews, or see how other games...
TopRidge Racer Review
In a very smart move by Namco, the very first thing you'll see when you boot up Ridge Racer is an absolutely jaw dropping CG intro featuring none other than the series' beloved mascot, Reiko Nagase. Long time fans will know that in Ridge Racer V, she was replaced by Ai Fukumi, but all is forgiven. I say that starting with the CG intro is a very smart move because believe me, this unbelievably...
TopRidge Racer
It seems every time a new Sony videogame system is released, Namco decides to release another Ridge Racer game. I remember playing the Ridge Racer for the first PlayStation for hours when the system was released. Well, now with the introduction of the PSP, Namco has treated us with another Ridge Racer game. But just as the first Ridge Racer for the PSOne was so revolutionary, Ridge Racer for the...
TopRidge Racer
Handheld racing is brought to new heights with Namco's Ridge Racers. New to the franchise is the nitrous boost, which fills up when you sustain drifts while turning. Get an edge over the competition by engaging nitrous on those long straightaways, and twist your car into extreme-angled power drifts whenever opportune moments strike. The game features 58 new vehicles and 24 courses--the largest...
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Ridge Racer
Strengths: Old School Ridge Racer, Music, Graphics
Weakness: Music stops playing if game has been put into sleep mode once.
The game is very straight forward and fun. The graphics are amazing and the game doesn't slowdown one bit. There's also a lot of replay-ability due to the sheer amount of cars you can unlock. During World Tour mode there's an abundance of racing leagues to finish which also increases the replayability, but races are relatively short so that players can do a quick race inbetween their commute or breaks. It's a solid purchase.
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