Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ridge Racer doubles down on its arcade roots by delivering a lightning-fast racing experience centered around precision drifting and aggressive cornering. The core mechanic—power sliding—feels intuitive yet challenging to master, rewarding players who invest time in perfecting their timing and throttle control. Even newcomers can enjoy sliding through turns with a tap-and-drift approach, but it’s the fine-tuned adjustments during each bend that really separate casual enjoyment from expert performance.

The game offers a robust World Tour mode, where progression hinges on completing a series of increasingly demanding events to unlock new cars and tracks. This structured single-player path creates a satisfying sense of growth, as you gradually build up your garage of 58 vehicles and take on all 24 tracks in the game. Whether you’re upgrading to a faster model or experimenting with a different handling profile, each choice feels meaningful in the pursuit of shaving seconds off your lap times.

For those craving pure speed trials, Time Attack mode lets you duke it out against the clock on any unlocked course. Leaderboards track your performance, encouraging repeated runs to improve your personal best. Meanwhile, the local ad-hoc multiplayer supports up to eight players with just one game disc—perfect for impromptu gatherings. Hosting or joining a race is straightforward, and the tight, competitive matchups underscore how well Ridge Racer balances accessibility with high-octane thrills.

Graphics

Visually, Ridge Racer retains the series’ signature neon-infused aesthetic, featuring vibrant colors, kaleidoscopic lighting, and polished trackside billboards. While not aiming for photo-realism, the game’s stylized presentation excels in creating a sense of speed. Motion blur, dynamic camera angles, and subtle particle effects combine to make each lap feel like a high-stakes spectacle.

The track designs are varied and memorable, spanning coastal highways, futuristic cityscapes, and technical mountain passes. Each course is distinct, with cleverly placed elevation changes and long swooping curves that showcase the drifting mechanic to its full potential. Reflections on wet pavement, tire smoke during hard drifts, and the occasional lens flare all contribute to a visually engaging ride.

Car models, though not hyper-detailed, capture the essence of classic and modern performance vehicles. From sleek coupes to muscular sports cars, the roster of 58 automobiles boasts a wide array of body kits, color schemes, and performance stats. Unlocking a new vehicle feels rewarding, as each addition looks sharp in motion and brings its own unique handling quirks to the track.

Story

Ridge Racer is an arcade racer first and foremost, and as such, it forgoes a traditional narrative in favor of pure racing adrenaline. There’s no elaborate storyline or character dialogue to follow, which allows you to jump straight into the action without interruption. The “story” here is you versus the track—an uncomplicated premise that keeps the focus on speed, skill, and smooth drifts.

Despite the lack of a conventional plot, Ridge Racer does foster a sense of progression through its World Tour mode. You’ll travel across multiple fictitious regions, each offering a series of races that gradually escalate in difficulty. This loose framing gives context to your pursuit of new cars and keeps motivation high, as every victory brings fresh unlockables and tougher opponents.

Fans of the franchise will also appreciate the musical callbacks to previous Ridge Racer titles. The curated soundtrack weaves together classic tunes and remixed tracks, creating an energetic backdrop that feels like a celebration of the series’ heritage. In lieu of cutscenes or character arcs, the game’s audio design steps in to establish atmosphere, driving you forward with a pulse-pounding beat.

Overall Experience

Ridge Racer succeeds as a distilled, no-frills arcade racer that excels in delivering pure, drift-heavy fun. Its combination of responsive controls, varied track selection, and a deep roster of cars makes for an experience that’s both immediately accessible and satisfying in the long term. Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer seeking a pick-up-and-play racer, the game strikes a fine balance between approachability and depth.

The inclusion of multiple modes—World Tour, Time Attack, and ad-hoc multiplayer—ensures that there’s always a clear goal or challenge at hand. World Tour mode guides your progression with structured objectives, while Time Attack and local multiplayer ramp up the competition in more focused settings. The ad-hoc feature, allowing up to eight players on a single disc, is particularly noteworthy for its party-friendly design.

Although Ridge Racer doesn’t break new ground in narrative or simulation realism, it perfectly embodies the spirit of arcade racing. The sense of speed, the thrill of perfecting a drift, and the pulsating soundtrack all come together to create a memorable ride. If your ideal racing game emphasizes style, sliding, and straightforward competitiveness, Ridge Racer is a title well worth your attention.

Retro Replay Score

8.4/10