Every time a console or a handheld launches, Ridge Racer is among the titles players can expect to see. For almost two decades, Ridge Racer has provided gamers with an awesome racing experience on a variety of systems. With Ridge Racer as one of the Nintendo 3DS launch titles, should fans of the series pick this game up?
Besides Ridge Racer 3D, there’s another racing title that 3DS owners can choose from, and that’s Ubisoft’s Asphalt 3D. Between those two games, is Ridge Racer the title 3DS owners should get? Let’s take a look at the HOTs and NOTs of Namco Bandai’s Ridge Racer 3D.
HOT
Same Ridge Racer Game You’ve Played
Of the 10+ Ridge Racer games we’ve seen over the years, Ridge Racer 3D offers the same formula that the series has relied on since the beginning. Some of the game’s familiar tracks can be found in this 3D version of Ridge Racer. As for the lineup of cars, they’re nothing too spectacular as they’re non-licensed. Players can drive and drive through the Grand Prix, which spans multiple laps in diverse environments. The A.I. is pretty challenging to beat, and it may give a few players some difficulty on some of the harder race tracks.
Street Pass Duel & Versus Mode
Even though Ridge Racer 3D doesn’t offer an online multiplayer, it offers Street Pass, which allows the player to download the ghost data of the game. Whenever the player’s 3DS picks up another 3DS with Ridge Racer, the players can exchange their data and play a mode that allows them to race and see the other player’s cars. For those who have friends that own Ridge Racer 3D, the Street Pass feature will allow them to play together.
Simple 3D Effects
The 3D effects of Ridge Racer 3D are very simple, and the effects pop out and will surely get your attention. Players can enjoy racing in full 3D for the first time in the franchise’s history. One of the effects that players will see most of the time is the confetti that looks like it’s being thrown at the players. Does the game show off the power of the 3DS? Yes, it shows what the 3DS can do in terms of displaying the game in 3D.
NOT
Weak Textures
While Ridge Racer 3D shows what the 3DS is capable of, one of the flaws that I found in Ridge Racer is the texture. For a 3DS game, Ridge Racer doesn’t look that amazing on the handheld, although it is slightly better than Asphalt. The environments and textures seem rather bland and uninspired.
Forgettable Soundtrack
In the past, Ridge Racer games have been known for their surreal sound tracks. In Ridge Racer 3D, I was pretty disappointed because it doesn’t offer much of the techno tunes that I loved in past Ridge Racer games. Sure, a few tracks from classic Ridge Racer titles are in this game but overall, players will most likely forget about them.
VERDICT
Between Asphalt and Ridge Racer for the Nintendo 3DS, Ridge Racer 3D is a worthy title that needs to be picked up for fans of the racing genre. Ridge Racer 3D doesn’t feel like a new title, but rather like a port that has the memorable tracks and gameplay that fans adored in past Ridge Racer games. For players who want a racing title on the Nintendo 3DS, Ridge Racer 3D is a title for you, especially if you’re a fan of the series.
[Editor’s Note: Ridge Racer 3D was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
