Ridge Racer (2004 video game)

This article is about the first Ridge Racer title for the PlayStation Portable. For the 1993 arcade game, see Ridge Racer (1993 video game). For the game released for the PlayStation Vita, see Ridge Racer (2011 video game).
Ridge Racer
North American version cover art
Developer(s)Namco
Publisher(s)Namco[a]
Director(s)Masaya Kobayashi
Producer(s)Isao Nakamura
Designer(s)Hisashi Kawamura
Composer(s)Hiroshi Okubo, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Yū Miyake, Junichi Nakatsuru, Keiki Kobayashi, Kouji Nakagawa
SeriesRidge Racer
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable
Release
  • JP: 11 December 2004
  • NA: 24 March 2005
  • PAL: 1 September 2005[1]
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ridge Racer, released in Japan as Ridge Racers[b], is a 2004 arcade-style racing video game developed by Namco for the PlayStation Portable, named after the eponymous Ridge Racer video game series to which it belongs. The game was released as a global launch title for the system, on 11 December 2004 in Japan and overseas in 2005. Ridge Racer has been described as a 'compilation' of the series, featuring tracks, cars and remixed soundtrack from previous titles of the 1990s.[2] Gameplay-wise, it marked the change from the "classic" style last seen in Ridge Racer V to the new drifting mechanic and nitrous boost that the series would incorporate from there on, including on Ridge Racer 6 and Ridge Racer 7.[3]

Ridge Racer was critically acclaimed, praised for its visuals, gameplay and soundtrack; it was notable at the time for providing home console-like graphics at a smooth 60 fps framerate on a mobile gaming system, harnessing the PSP's graphical abilities.[3] An updated version with more tracks and modes was released for the PSP in 2006 titled Ridge Racer 2; seven years after Ridge Racer on PSP came Ridge Racer on PlayStation Vita.

  1. ^ van Leuveren, Luke (7 July 2005). "Ridge Racer Preview". PALGN. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  2. ^ Peak, Tony (April 2005). "Ridge Racer". Mobile Tech Review.
  3. ^ a b ISMAIL, ADAM (2023-03-15). "All 12 Mainline Ridge Racer Games, Ranked". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved 2024-09-27.


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