You know, Namco is really smart for releasing these Ridge Racer games alongside system launches — because as much as I love each one of them, it’s easy to realize how much of a free pass they get. Let’s face it: A shiny new racing game goes well with your new game platform, and it’s easy to overlook that you’re basically buying the same thing over and over — just with a new coat of new paint each time. Or, in this case, just the additional illusion of 3D. Because really, you’ve played this game plenty of times before. But not that you’ll necessarily mind; I sure didn’t. I was still hooked all the same.
Ridge Racer 3D is exactly as you’d expect: a handful of tracks that have appeared since the Ridge Racers of the ’90s and a bunch of new ones layered on top. And you’ve still got your standard allotment of non-licensed cars to choose from. Really, it’s the tried-and-true Ridge Racer formula. But with that you’ve also got the great arcadey racing the series is known for, with plenty of drifting and a forgiving, rubber-banding A.I. that keeps each race intense (but never frustrating). In fact, Ridge Racer 3D brings things a little bit back to its core with tighter handling and toned down presentation compared to the design-heavy menus of 6 and 7.
