It was eating me up inside. Somehow, I’d bought three PSP games (Wipeout Pure, Twisted Metal: Head On, and Lumines) without picking up Ridge Racer. So yesterday I went out and found the bad boy – not an easy feat in itself.
And? Let me put it this way: Along with Lumines, this is one game no PSP owner should be without.
Ridge Racer PSP brings us everything that was ever great about the RR games and presents it in a shiny, new coat of paint. Smoother, prettier, and glossier than ever, and just as fast as we remember.
Visually, I think this PSP title looks better than the PS2 game. Sure, the cars may not be quite as poly-packed, but they’re a hell of a lot less jaggy. Trees and vegetation look better. Particle effects – smoke and sparks – are more spectacular. And the lighting effects – from the glare of the sun off the road to the reflections on the cars – look smart and beautiful.
Compared to the other PSP games I’ve played, this is the best-looking of the bunch. It’s sharp, crisp, and clear, and while a texture or two may remind you of PS2, it all looks fantastic considering the size of the hardware it’s played on. And the frame rate blazes by at 60fps, never dropping no matter what.
There’s a wide range of music to race by, and players can select which track to listen to before the start of each race. It comes through the headphones strong and crystal-clear – just what you need to get your engines revving.
And the gamplay. The sweet, glorious gameplay. Simply put, it’s spot on. Being on a portable hasn’t hurt it one bit – something I was worried about before I played the game myself.
The new nitros feature works well within the game, perhaps as a testament to the quality of the original course designs. Taking a cue from Burnout, your nitrous meter builds with every fast power slide you take. Fill up your tanks and let her rip for a nice burst of speed you can practically feel.
I nearly teared up when I saw all those classic courses – especially the ones from Rage Racer. Oh my sweet Lord, but those are some fun tracks. It had been too long since I last raced them, and returning to them in all their PSP glory was a joyous homecoming indeed.
It all reminded me that despite the glut of more contemporary arcade racers, Ridge Racer is still the king. Its crazy power slides and breakneck gameplay just can’t be found anywhere else. After all this time, those classic courses and classic tunes have yet to be bested.
Bless you, Namco. This is a great game, and a perfect first outing on Sony’s new portable.
And? Let me put it this way: Along with Lumines, this is one game no PSP owner should be without.
Ridge Racer PSP brings us everything that was ever great about the RR games and presents it in a shiny, new coat of paint. Smoother, prettier, and glossier than ever, and just as fast as we remember.
Visually, I think this PSP title looks better than the PS2 game. Sure, the cars may not be quite as poly-packed, but they’re a hell of a lot less jaggy. Trees and vegetation look better. Particle effects – smoke and sparks – are more spectacular. And the lighting effects – from the glare of the sun off the road to the reflections on the cars – look smart and beautiful.
Compared to the other PSP games I’ve played, this is the best-looking of the bunch. It’s sharp, crisp, and clear, and while a texture or two may remind you of PS2, it all looks fantastic considering the size of the hardware it’s played on. And the frame rate blazes by at 60fps, never dropping no matter what.
There’s a wide range of music to race by, and players can select which track to listen to before the start of each race. It comes through the headphones strong and crystal-clear – just what you need to get your engines revving.
And the gamplay. The sweet, glorious gameplay. Simply put, it’s spot on. Being on a portable hasn’t hurt it one bit – something I was worried about before I played the game myself.
The new nitros feature works well within the game, perhaps as a testament to the quality of the original course designs. Taking a cue from Burnout, your nitrous meter builds with every fast power slide you take. Fill up your tanks and let her rip for a nice burst of speed you can practically feel.
I nearly teared up when I saw all those classic courses – especially the ones from Rage Racer. Oh my sweet Lord, but those are some fun tracks. It had been too long since I last raced them, and returning to them in all their PSP glory was a joyous homecoming indeed.
It all reminded me that despite the glut of more contemporary arcade racers, Ridge Racer is still the king. Its crazy power slides and breakneck gameplay just can’t be found anywhere else. After all this time, those classic courses and classic tunes have yet to be bested.
Bless you, Namco. This is a great game, and a perfect first outing on Sony’s new portable.
