Ridge Racer - PlayStation, 7/3/95 & 2/10/95
Review 1 - 7/3/95
Ridge Racer - PlayStation
The complexity and smoothness of Ridge Racer's graphics take a few moment to sink in.
How is it possible that a game which set arcades ablaze last year can now appear intact on an affordable home system? Magic? Turps?
Of all the arcade conversions ever, Ridge Racer has to rank as one of the most ambitious. Incredible, then, that it appears almost perfect.
Aside from looking incredible, Ridge Racer is immensely playable.
The speed of the game, and the feel of actually being "in" the car, serve to make it the smoothest racer ever.
A choice of cars - an improvement over the arcade version - and a pair of routes may lay to rest people's fears over the game's lasting appeal.
We, however, weren't so convinced.
Ridge Racer - PlayStation - by Namco
Players: 1
Graphix: 97%
Sonix: 95%
Gameplay: 89%
Lifespan: 67%
Originality: 52%
Uppers: A landmark racing game
Downers: No challenge at all
Overall: 82% - Hello!
Review 2 - 2/10/95
Ridge Racer - PlayStation
If you're still unaware that Ridge Racer is a near-perfect coversion of Namco's £5,000 coin-op, then we think you're a stupid prong.
When first unveiled over a year ago in Japan, the accuracy of the conversion left the games industry quivering like a frightened child.
And now - though not the PS pack-in everyone expected - it's finally here.
So, predictable enough, there's little more to Ridge Racer than trying to finish the race first.
There are four skill levels, you can opt to play your audio CDs whilst the game is running, and there's a demo of Galaxians whilst the game loads.
And while it knocks Sega's Daytona into a bath on technical grounds, it can't compete for variety, strength of gameplay or lastability.
But what a taste of things to come.
Ridge Racer - PlayStation - by Sony
Players: 1
Graphix: 95%
Sonix: 90%
Gameplay: 87%
Lifespan: 80%
Originality: 34%
Uppers: A near-perfect conversion
Downers: Really only one track
Overall: 86% - Ridge over troubled racer
Do you know of any important moments from the annals of Digi history that have been omitted? If so, then mail me (superpage58@gmail.com) right now, man. Credit will be duly given for anything that gets put up.
