R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: May 1, 1999
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Hot Games
    100
    Graphics are very impressive; this is one area that R4 totally rules over Gran Turismo. The effects and graphics are nothing short of mind-boggling.
  2. IGN
    94
    Extremely tight controls, and the US version enables Dual Shock support! Take that, Japanese version!
  3. PSX Nation
    94
    The control in R4 is something that you will either be a fan of and realize that it offers almost unprecedented control or feel that it is so arcadish and fake that it's unbearable. I reside on the fan level.
  5. Gaming Maxx
    93
    Graphically, R4 outshines almost all the other racing games, with impressive lighting effects, a very high frame rate, and no visible slowdown at all.
  6. TotalGames.net
    91
    A package more desirable than Neve Campbell wrapped in a lottery cheque!
  7. GMR Magazine
    90
    Plenty of cars, silky-smooth graphics, and of all things, a story mode. Best played with the Jogcon controller. [Feb 2003, p.97]
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  8. GameCritics
    90
    It supplies everything the arcade racing fan wants: slick graphics, lots of speed, and a lot of style.
  9. Absolute Playstation
    90
    Pure, unadulterated, adrenaline pumping, arcade racing at it's best.
  10. Games Domain
    90
    Whilst Namco's latest offering may lack the pedantic attention to detail and realistic physics of Gran Turismo, it makes up for it with pure, high-octane thrills. And nothing else on the PlayStation can come close...
  11. All Game Guide
    90
    The biggest concern I have with R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 is it's level of difficulty. It is not incredibly hard, and as stated earlier, can be picked up by just about anyone... a delight to play, however.
  12. Cheat Code Central Platinum
    90
    These are hands down the nicest looking tracks I've seen yet. They even beat GT.
  13. Gamezilla!
    89
    The number of tracks mixed in with the brilliance in design should keep you playing for quite awhile. You may not have the patience to try and unlock all 300 cars, you should find more than enough replay value just trying to learn the different driving techniques for the different cars.
  14. GameSpot
    87
    Above all, R4 is incredibly fun to play. Unlocking the cars (more than 300 in all, though most are basic variations on a few common themes) quickly becomes an obsession, and the Jogcon adds a ton of depth to the game's control.
  15. Armchair Empire
    85
    The one major nuisance in the game is that very few of the cars in the pack provide much of a challenge. Only the cars in second and first place put up much of a fight, while the rest behave like placeholders.
  16. Electric Playground
    80
    If I hadn’t been recently consumed by GT Interactive’s "Driver," I might say this here R4 is some of the finest racing available for the PSX.
  17. GamePro
    80
    Probably the single most annoying element, however, is the interface: a maze of endless menus. Let's just race already!
  18. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    A career mode so involving and compelling that it makes this almost like a "driving RPG." [Nov 2001, p.50]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. Game Revolution
    75
    Then again, in R4 you get to have each race started by a sexy Japanese polygonal model. Hmmm... sex, Pac-Man, and racing. I think I'll go play some R4.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PS1 Game of 1999
17
#17 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1999
13
#13 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1999

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 80
  3. Negative: 5 out of 80
  1. bestbloodyday
    May 29, 2012
    9
    Very cool arcade racing game with a huge game length. However, the number of cars is actually pretty low because most of them are just theVery cool arcade racing game with a huge game length. However, the number of cars is actually pretty low because most of them are just the same with different team colors. Still, on of the funniest racing games ever with all the drifting mechanics and the cool tracks.… Full Review »
  2. LucaR
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Absolutely a phenomenal racing game, controls are rock solid, and for a playstation 1 game, it looks pretty. I'm a fan of the soundtrack Absolutely a phenomenal racing game, controls are rock solid, and for a playstation 1 game, it looks pretty. I'm a fan of the soundtrack too, but I can see how it may not be some peoples cup of tea.… Full Review »
  3. MichaelE
    Mar 1, 2009
    10
    I think everything about this game is superb. The graphics, music, tracks and handling are all excellent and this is the best arcade style I think everything about this game is superb. The graphics, music, tracks and handling are all excellent and this is the best arcade style racer of it's generation. It still plays better than many racing games of today.… Full Review »
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