Ridge Racer (arcade game)

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Ridge Racer

Developer(s)	Namco
Publisher(s)	Namco
Release date(s)	1993 (Arcade) 1994 (PS1), Japan 1995 (PS1), US
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single player
Platform(s)	Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Mobile Phone
Arcade cabinet	Sitdown
Arcade system(s)	Namco System 22
Arcade display	Raster, 640 x 480 pixels (Horizontal), 32768 colors

Ridge Racer is a racing game created by Namco. It was released exclusively in Japan in 1993 on the Namco System 22 arcade system board. It is the first title in the Ridge Racer series.

Ridge Racer was ported to the PlayStation in Japan in 1994 and in the United States in 1995 as a launch title. It was also included in the NamCollection for the PlayStation 2 in 2005, released exclusively in Japan.

[edit] Gameplay

Ridge Racer was very innovative for its time, introducing minor car sim elements intertwined with the gameplay. The player could choose from the mainstream options of Course Select, Transmission, Car Select, Sound Select, Start, and Options. Course select permitted the player to do a race of various courses. The select screen also displays data about the course's shape and difficulty.

The Transmission mode allowed the player to select the mode of the car's transmission type. Auto transmission (AT) shifts the gears automatically and permits less experienced players easier turns and drifts. Manual (MT) allows the player to change the gears freely through use of input. This restricts the AI from assisting but allows more experienced players to gain faster track times.

Car select introduces the selectable vehicles for racing. The mode also served as a gallery, serving the player with multiple views by rotating the camera with the L1 and R1 triggers on the PlayStation controller. Sound select functioned as an area which to select a personal BGM on the upcoming stage. Button configuration is also possible in the options menu, leaving the game very customizible.

Extras could be earned near the completion of the game, such as extra tracks and bonus cars that often possessed higher statistics. Additionally experienced players were able to execute a special "mirror track" race by rotating the inverse direction in a current race and taking advantage of a glitch.

An interesting bonus for the original Playstation version released in 1995 involved allowing the player to listen to music through the Playstation by removing the game disc and inserting a music CD. This was done after the loading screen. Furthermore, players could not switch tracks, and the music was started in random places on the CD.

[edit] Ridge Racer Full Scale

Ridge Racer was simultaneously released in 1993 in what Namco called the "Full Scale" version. Players sat inside a full-scale red Eunos Roadster, the Japanese right-wheel version of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and played in front of a 10 ft/3 m-wide three-projector screen. The car's wheel, gear stick and pedals were the game's controls; the ignition key started the game. The speed and RPM gauges were fully functional. Inside the air vents, fans blew wind on the player. Realistic engine and tire sounds came from inside the car, while overhead speakers provided surround music. An operator stood by a console, to collect payment and control the operation.

Locations of Full Scale setups: