Ridge Racer (PSP)

Infobox VG
title = Ridge Racer


developer = Namco
publisher = Namco
designer = Isao Nakamura
engine =
released = vgrelease|JP=December 12, 2004|NA=March 22, 2005|PAL=September 1, 2005vgrelease|JP=November 17, 2005 ("PSP the Best")
genre = Racing game
modes = Single-player, Multiplayer (1-8)
ratings = vgratings|CERO=A|ESRB=Everyone|PEGI=3+
platforms = PlayStation Portable
media = UMD
requirements = Memory Stick Duo
input =

"Ridge Racer" is an arcade-style racing game developed by Namco for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console. Originally published as "Ridge Racers", a launch title for Sony's PSP in Japan on December 12, 2004, the name was changed to the singular "Ridge Racer" for its March 22, 2005 United States release and the September 1, 2005 release in European markets. "Ridge Racers (PSP)" is a value-priced "Greatest Hits" edition of the game released exclusively for the Japanese market on November 17, 2005. A platinum version of Ridge Racer was released in European markets in June 2006

As an entry in Namco's long running Ridge Racer game franchise, "Ridge Racer" for the PSP shares a number of gameplay elements, cars, and tracks with its predecessors. The game features a total of 24 courses (12 unique courses and the same 12 courses reversed) all taken from previous PlayStation games or the arcade-only title "Rave Racer", and 54 unlockable (fictional) cars. As you win races, you unlock tracks and faster cars.

The big change to the gameplay mechanics is the addition of nitrous. As the player drift through the corners, a nitrous gauge fills up. When the player fills up one of the three nitrous stocks, a button is pressed to use one of the stocks for a temporary speed boost. The nitrous stocks cannot be charged while a stock is in use: however, the residual speed when the nitrous expires can be used in the corners to charge at a faster rate than normal. The nitrous mechanic made its way into "Ridge Racer 6" with one minor change - multiple nitrous stocks can be used at one time for a faster and longer speed boost.

Due to the popularity of this title Namco produced a sequel, simply titled "Ridge Racer 2".

The game also features a Full Motion Video opening, that shows series mascot Reiko Nagase.

Courses

The game features a total of 24 courses (12 unique courses and the same 12 courses reversed) most taken from previous PlayStation games or the arcade-only title "Rave Racer".

"Ridge Racer"

The first two courses in the game are taken from the original "Ridge Racer", although they also appeared in "Ridge Racer V". They are both variants on the same course, each featuring different diversions part-way through.

* Seaside Route 765
* Ridge City Highway

"Ridge Racer Revolution"

The next two courses are taken from "Ridge Racer Revolution" and again are both variants on the same course.

* Sunset Drive
* Crystal Coast Highway

"Rage Racer"

Courses #5 and #6 are taken from "Rage Racer".

* Union Hill District
* Lakeside Parkway

"R4: Ridge Racer Type 4"

Courses #7 and #8 are taken from "".

* Crimsonrock Pass
* Diablo Canyon Road

"Rave Racer"

The next two courses are all taken from the arcade-only title "Rave Racer". Their appearance here marks the first time these courses have ever been playable outside of the arcades.

* Midtown Expressway (based on Rave Racer's 'City' course)
* Silvercreek Dam (based on Rave Racer's 'Mountain' course)

PSP "Ridge Racer"

The final two courses are based somewhat on the arcade-only Rave Racer.

*Silvercreek Dam
*Downtown Rave City

However the exact course layouts of Silvercreek Dam and Downtown Rave City have not been in any of the previous arcade/Playstation Ridge games. However, in good old Ridge fashion they share (very small) sections of track from other courses.

Silvercreek Dam shares a section from Greenpeak Highlands (Rave’s Mountain course) whereas Downtown Rave City shares a section with Midtown Expressway (Rave’s City course). However, the SD and DRC courses were not themselves in Rave Racer.

Music

The music in the game is a collection of new songs and songs taken from previous Ridge Racer games, arranged across several "discs". All-new songs on Red and Blue Disc put together for the game while Remix and two classic Discs contains a collection of remixed songs from past Ridge Racer titles.

NOTE: All songs on Remix Disc have been remixed by the original composer while all songs on two classics disc have been remastered.

Red Disc

# Highride
# Warp Trooper
# Bassrider
# Pulse Phaze
# Chrome Drive
# Synthetic Life

Blue Disc

# Disco Ball
# Night Stream
# Light Groove
# Vanishing Horizon
# Tunnel Visionary
# Tek Trek

Remix Disc

# Rotterdam Nation Remix - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer.
# Speedster Remix - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer.
# Drive U 2 Dancing Remix - from the Arcade title Ridge Racer 2 and the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Revolution.
# Rareheros - featured in many past Ridge Racer titles.
# Blue Topaz Remix - from the Arcade title Rave Racer.
# Motor Species Remix - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Type 4.

Classic Disc 1

# Ridge Racer - A remastered version of the title tune from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer.
# Grip - from the Arcade title Ridge Racer 2 and the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Revolution.
# Euphoria - from the PlayStation title Rave Racer.
# Silver Stream - from the PlayStation title Rage Racer.
# Naked Glow - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Type 4.
# Your Vibe - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Type 4.

Classic Disc 2

# Move Me - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Type 4.
# Movin' in Circles - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Type 4.
# Eat 'em Up! - from the PlayStation title Ridge Racer Type 4. (This was a secret track acquired along with the Pac-Man car after unlocking all 320 of the cars featured in the game.)
# TuiTui - from the PlayStation 2 title Ridge Racer V.
# Samurai Rocket - from the PlayStation 2 title Ridge Racer V.
# Daredevil - from the PlayStation 2 title Ridge Racer V.

External links

* [http://www.namco.com/games/ridgeracerpsp/ Ridge Racer] at Namco.com
* [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/920779.asp Ridge Racer Reviews] at Game Rankings, average score: 88%
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/psp/data/920779.html Ridge Racer] at GameFAQs
* [http://www.gamespot.com/psp/driving/ridgeracer/index.html Ridge Racer for PSP] at GameSpot
* [http://psp.ign.com/objects/682/682967.html Ridge Racer] at IGN
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3UwyXdM3P4 RIDGE RACER!] at YouTube