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A few months ago I had a stack of games to review, and the one that fell to the bottom of the pile was the latest in the Ridge Racer franchise.

The newest addition to the thirteen year-old series accompanied the release of the Xbox 360 and carries on the series’ reputation of outlandish cars and wild racing.

Does it look the part?
 
It certainly doesn’t exploit the Xbox 360’s awesome capabilities the way more recent racers have done. It looks distinctly average in the company of Test Drive Unlimited.

Realistic simulation or arcade fun?

This is an arcade racer – but it falls far short of the ‘fun’ requirement. The car flails wildly around the track, apparently completely indifferent to your input, thumping off the scenery and other racers.

To wind the irritation factor up to maximum the music is appallingly naff and a disembodied voice shouts at you periodically.

How does it play?

It’s deeply frustrating and boring beyond belief. The original on the Playstation back in 1994 was better than this – especially one I found at a service station arcade in Cumbria where the coin slot had broken and all the plays were free…

How much gaming will you get out of it?

Much less than I got out of the one at the service station. It offers stacks of levels, but the little enjoyment you’ll get out of them doesn’t offset the risk of getting repetitive strain injury doing it.

Pole position or flaming wreck?

3/10. If this is the only racing game you haven’t played yet this year, that’s still no reason to bother with it.

Author – NAMCO
Publisher – NAMCO
Available format(s) – Xbox 360
Price(s) – £49.99
Format tested – Xbox 360
Review by Keith Collantine

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