Since the first arcade edition and the then unforgettable PS One port, Namco's "Ridge Racer" has been an enjoyable arcade racing series. On the N64, the series stayed pretty formulaic, not straying far from the formula at all. The same can be said for this solid port of that very title here on the DS, but the fact that it is portable does make it a bit more desirable.
Players can be quick and plop themselves right into the game with the quick race option, though your car and course are already selected. The heart of the game is in the Grand Prix, a career of sorts. Here, gamers can tackle the course variants three at a time. As these are completed, more variants are unlocked. To earn more cars, it's over to the Car Attack mode. Here it's a one-on-one battle for the car your opponent is driving. Lose the race and it's no loss; win and the car is yours.
The biggest hurdle the game has faced is the control scheme. Lacking an analog stick, most people are faced with using the d-pad to steer around corners. That's hardly the way to steer a car in today's gaming world. An alternative option involves using the touch screen. While providing smoother control, holding the console steady, moving the stylus/thumb pad just enough, and accelerating/braking is just too complicated a process. You'll likely crash into the walls more here unwillingly than you will with the d-pad.
Like many other launch titles, the second screen is pretty much useless, at least if you use the d-pad. Using the stylus control, it shows a steering wheel that can help you steer, but the chances of actually looking down to see where it's at are slim. The races are far too fast. You still get the same screen if you use the d-pad. The only other information displayed is your current time and a small map of the course. It would have been great to use that screen as a rear-view mirror since no such feature is included anywhere in the game.
Getting everything unlocked is a small challenge, but there is little to see. After unlocking the first six course variants (there are, in theory, only three courses), they simply flip themselves to provide a new challenge. The different cars are far more fun to get simply to see which game the next one is based on.
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