Ridge Racer

 PSP
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Mar 22, 2005
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 82
  3. Negative: 7 out of 82
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  1. Yojimbo2015
    Jul 1, 2023
    7
    An extremely slick and attractive arcade racer but the lack of traffic and damage and its rather over-simplified handling makes it slightly short on thrills. A good, solid racing game though.
  2. Tip_Tank
    Feb 14, 2021
    8
    I never played a Ridge Racer game prior to playing this one, so I have no history to look back on in regards to the series, so my review won’t touch on any sort of comparisons. With that said, even 15 years later, the game still looks and plays fantastic! You could tell Namco went all-out for this title and, remembering this was a launch title for the PSP, it made quite the statement onI never played a Ridge Racer game prior to playing this one, so I have no history to look back on in regards to the series, so my review won’t touch on any sort of comparisons. With that said, even 15 years later, the game still looks and plays fantastic! You could tell Namco went all-out for this title and, remembering this was a launch title for the PSP, it made quite the statement on what the little handheld could do. Visually, the game is stunning. Cars, lighting, backgrounds…they all look impressive and are very detailed. The game is also really fast with zero framerate issues which gives you a tremendous sensation of speed as you’re playing. The sound is good with a few exceptions (i.e. hitting the wall or another car) and the soundtrack is noteworthy (even though that style of music is not my thing). I realize Ridge Racer is an arcade racer, but where it falls short sometimes is the physics. For one, running into another car yields an unsatisfying knock sound and nothing resembling what would really happen…the other car doesn’t slide or spin out, nothing happens to your car other than slowing down, etc. I can live with the fact there’s no visible damage, but if I hit a car in the rear quarter panel, I’d expect it to slide out of the way. The other instance where the physics fails is in the drifting. If you do it right, it’s quite the sensation and is very satisfying. However, if you start to drift the wrong way (i.e. the turn is to the right but you misjudge it and start to turn/drift to the left), you will still drift in around the turn even though you’re facing the wrong way! That takes you out of the game for a moment. Otherwise, the controls are good and the game is a lot of fun…up to a point. As you progress, the game gets harder and harder until you reach a point where you feel like you have to run a perfect 3-lap race with absolutely zero mistakes to win. Keep in mind, you start every race in last place so you have to pass 11 other cars while also negotiating the track without ever slipping up. That standard of perfection becomes frustrating after a while and takes away from the enjoyment and the desire to keep playing. But Ridge Racer is still a phenomenal game and one that proved that console-level gaming could be had on the go!… Expand
  3. DJAtomika
    Jun 7, 2018
    9
    Classic game for PSP that everyone had tried at least one time! Maybe an IA more calibrated would be the game perfect, but this is only a detail compares the incredible work made by Namco !!!
  4. special-ops
    Sep 3, 2014
    9
    I really like this game and i rated this game 9.0/10.I like the graphics,cars,challenges,courses and the multiplayer.You can also unlock new cars,courses and other challenges as well but this game is very good for me to play at home and i finish this game 3 times.
  5. EmuChicken
    Nov 9, 2011
    8
    I picked up this at the same time I bought my PSP 1000, and at the first glance... this game is IMMENSE! Since the PS1 release of the first Ridge racer, I have been a fan of the series and it is always interesting at how each newer version of the game changes radically from the last.
    The main talking point at the release of the PSP / and this game was its graphics and the speed that this    I picked up this at the same time I bought my PSP 1000, and at the first glance... this game is IMMENSE! Since the PS1 release of the first Ridge racer, I have been a fan of the series and it is always interesting at how each newer version of the game changes radically from the last.
    The main talking point at the release of the PSP / and this game was its graphics and the speed that this small portable system can put out - and rightly so... no problems at all in that court.
    Being an arcade game, there are little to no instructions- race, drift around the corners to increase your boost bar, and then use the turbo to go ... faster....
    Controls are fairly decent, until you drift around a corner. The most remarkable thing in the RR world is when you can drift around a left corner... whilst TURNING RIGHT! ... I dont mean like that scene in the pixar movie, "Cars"- but... you can, drift around a left corner, skidding to the right?!? - the drifting in the game unfortunately seems to be based on a "roller coaster" so little to no feeling is apparent. - until you actually realise this, the game is damn fun though! - it is a shame though, and it looses points for some race-lovers who like to race normally by using brakes and a grippy tire system (as done in the early RR series)
    There are many stages in the game, or "series of races". each comprising of around 3-5 races. There is only a small number of tracks, taken from other versions (from PS1, PS2, Xbox360 etc) and they are flipped, reversed, and so on.
    As soon as you complete a stage you automatically get awarded a set of cars... which seem to be almost identical to the car you were just racing. It ended up becoming a chore just watching these segments in the end (similar to a loading screen)

    Verdict: On the whole, this is a very entertaining game, until you realise that you are just repeating yourself by playing the same tracks over and over. - oh and until you see the "rollercoaster" drifting system at work...
    ...Oh, and ... If you have a choice between this and the PS3 version... GET THE PS3 ONE!!!

    Pros:
    Fast
    Nice graphics
    A lot stages to beat!

    Cons:
    Lack of feeling whilst drifting
    Win a car after every race, ... (yawn!)
    Feels like its stretched out too thin, game pace issues    … Expand
  6. KC
    Mar 1, 2009
    4
    the opening of the game and all that looked pretty polished when i first started it, so i got ready for the race of my life, but what i got first was visuals that looked crummy even for a psp, followed by what sounded like a black guy in the background sounding really happy and optimistic all the time really that got on my nerves. All that was still okay until the race started and thethe opening of the game and all that looked pretty polished when i first started it, so i got ready for the race of my life, but what i got first was visuals that looked crummy even for a psp, followed by what sounded like a black guy in the background sounding really happy and optimistic all the time really that got on my nerves. All that was still okay until the race started and the physics kicked in, that were totally unrealistic. the 'car' felt very artificially stablised, which i guess was to make the ride seem really smooth, but all it did was me hitting the "Home" button and playing Wipeout Pulse instead. Now that's a racing game.… Expand
  7. DionS.
    Dec 20, 2006
    9
    I love the speed feeling you get from it, and the grafic is fantastic, it runs with out any problems and the music if great. The game is one of the best PSP games you can get, beautiful is the word for the game and gameplay.
  8. DavidB.
    Aug 7, 2006
    10
    This is what the PSP was maded for!
  9. Nick
    Jul 25, 2006
    10
    Outstanding accomplishment on the PSP and to think its nearly 2 years old. The graphics are stunning but its the gameplay that makes this an outstanding game beating all its rivals. Fantastic a must buy for any racing fan that owns a PSP.
  10. RyanP.
    Apr 11, 2006
    9
    This is my first PSP game i bought... This game is so cool at first its kinda easy but at higher levels the game is getting difficult. A game with good Graphics and Gameplay.
  11. DavidH.
    Nov 18, 2005
    9
    Stunning graphics, fast and furious gameplay. The only problem that I found is the extreme difficulty at higher level, that makes you loose interest. A must have.
  12. Mobius
    Oct 10, 2005
    8
    Great looking game with gameplay to match. Fast Fun and a great peice of software to show of the power of your PSP.
  13. Nobby
    Oct 1, 2005
    9
    This is game is way better than i expected. Excellent graphics.Good games r ines where the games programers put more time in the playability rather than kick ass graphics and i am glad to see the playability is 100% perfect.
  14. GrantH.
    Sep 27, 2005
    7
    Good graphics but lacking in originality and soon becomes repetitive......
  15. Rick
    Sep 5, 2005
    5
    While this is a fun games at first, over time this game begins to annoy you. The first set of races is super easy while the last is impossibly hard. The one redeeming factor is the fun it is to play against your friends.
  16. JatinderG.
    Sep 2, 2005
    9
    Best racing game on psp so far-yes better than wipeout pure mainly because the tracks are MORE WIDER, and it is easier to control. Graphics are good although there is a lot of jagged edges which need anti aliasing. A must for racing fans.
  17. BobP.
    Jun 2, 2005
    9
    This is my favorite PSP game. Everything about this game is great (i.e. Sound, Graphics, gameplay, etc). Though I do wish the game had more race tracks. Playing the same tracks over and over again, even with diferent cars, gets a little old. Otherwise, I would have given this game a "10".
  18. KarlM.
    May 16, 2005
    3
    Yes this had good graphics for a handheld but this is no classic. It brings no originality to the genre so in 5 years time this will be a forgotten title. There is no thrill here that can't be bought for budget price on the home consoles.
  19. JacobF.
    May 15, 2005
    10
    Best graphics I have ever seen on a handheld system.
  20. LuisR.
    May 10, 2005
    10
    The graphics are awesome, so is the sound and the control on this game. I love it.
  21. EricF.
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    Great.
  22. EricF.
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    Great.
  23. JamesO.
    Apr 9, 2005
    7
    Ok if your a racing fan of the past you should get this game but if your a racing fan of the furture then i wouldn't waste my money. Also i wouldn't call this a replayable game.
  24. Pettiforj
    Apr 6, 2005
    9
    Excellent, best game I own on the PSP, so far, only drops off from getting 10 out of 10 due to its slight lack of feel and interaction with other cars and also lack of online play.
  25. TillB.
    Apr 1, 2005
    10
    The game is the best launch title on the PSP handheld system. It is also the best part of all the Ridge Racer games. The new nitro boost is a great feature, the gameplay is in each case suberb. The very good presentation with its wonderfull sounds and graphics will do that you will play this game many times.
  26. BryantL.
    Mar 31, 2005
    9
    I've gave it a nine just because i like how they changed the drifting and nitrous.
  27. BlakeT.
    Mar 29, 2005
    8
    Easily the best racing game released at launch. The controls are great, the graphics are amazing, and you can really feel the speed. Nice variety of tracks and options. I was a bit disappointed you couldn't play the game online (like Twisted Metal); however, none of the other racing titles allow it either.
  28. MarcD.
    Mar 26, 2005
    8
    An impressive launch title and a fun game to boot. What else could a gamer on the go ask for?
  29. J.L.
    Mar 25, 2005
    8
    Nice graphics. Nice controls. Still plays like a Ridge Racer game. Ridiculous A.I., like all Ridge Racer games, one particular oppenent always seems to "rubber band" catch up to you when ever you're at the lead. Nice touch with the addition of nitro. Would be nice to see car damage and have the abillity run cars off the road. (Being sarcastic) But I guess that won't be Ridge Nice graphics. Nice controls. Still plays like a Ridge Racer game. Ridiculous A.I., like all Ridge Racer games, one particular oppenent always seems to "rubber band" catch up to you when ever you're at the lead. Nice touch with the addition of nitro. Would be nice to see car damage and have the abillity run cars off the road. (Being sarcastic) But I guess that won't be Ridge Racer right? Over all, good fun. Kills the battery though, I get 3 hours on my PSP with this game on single player.… Expand
  30. RobW.
    Mar 25, 2005
    4
    Terrible AI - Average graphics - Boring game play. Been there done that, like 8 years ago.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PSP Game of 2005
8
#8 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Shared PSP Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 58
  3. Negative: 0 out of 58
  1. Thunderbolt
    90
    While the wireless feature is one of the best things in Ridge Racer, the very best feature of Ridge Racer comes in the form of its gorgeous graphics engine... Ridge Racer looks freaking amazing.
    Read full review
  2. GameZone
    86
    The incredible graphics, tight controls and excellent music/sound effects are more than enough to warrant having this game.
    Read full review
  3. Armchair Empire
    90
    With its impressive graphic and new Nitrous boost feature, RR positions itself as the best game in the series and it provides a great example of the quality of games we can expect from the PSP.
    Read full review
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