This refers to the Japanese version as the US isn't due for release until March or April.
First off, most of the game is in English anyway, the menus have Japanese etx and English text mixed but you can easily figure out the meaning by context and trial and error without going bonkers.
The graphics are simply astounding. Ignore the screen shots you see on the net, as with all PSP and Nintendo DS screens they look MUCH better on the real thing as they aren't blown up to many times their native rez and are running at high, smooth frame rates. This game look better, yes Better than any previous Ridge Racer game. The PSP LCD is clear, bright and sharp, and all the 3D bells and whistles are here.
All tracks from all previous Ridge Racer games are here. It's actually a bit eerie knowing your way around the track the first time you play and not remembering exactly where you saw it before! Basic, Pro, and Expert series I've play so far and there are 64 sets of races unlocked thus far. That 64 SETS of 2-8 race each. After each set you unlock a new car and get a screen showing how many tracks and cars you've unlocked along with how many kilometer and miles you've driven.
Great sound, although the annoying announcer (in English, all voices are in English in the Japanese ver!!) is almost omnipresent. Loads of soundtracks avaiable but strangely IMHO the ability to play traqck stored on the Memory Stick Duo is missing. Since the Mp3/Atrac3 player is in ROM I expected the XBOX like feature of custom soundtracks but no. Still, plenty of techno/house variety including my personal fav, total silence.
The 'analog' nub is about as 'analog' as the buttons on the Dual Shock are. That is to say only a little, with the travel being so short. Still, it works very, very well with the drift physics we all know and love in the RR series. You can play with the D-pad as well without suffering too much.
The Namco arcade classic game New Rally X included and playable. Actually pretty good fun too for old fogeys like me who remember it from the early 80's.
If you got the NDS title Ridge Racer DS this will absolutely spoil the fun for you. Although I really enjoyed RRds the resolution, clarity, and true 3D hardware accell of the PSP make the Nintendo 64 era graphics of RRds look dated. I played RRds all the way through to the last couple of Z class races before getting this version and now can't make myself finish it off. Just too ugly by comparison. Comparing the PSP to the DS really isn't an Apples to Apples comparison, as the ds is so innovative and different. But in the realm of 3D handheld game player the PSP is state of the Art and brookes no pretenders to it's crown.
For a launch title to be so darn good, I am fairly salivating to see what the developer can do with titles like Gran turismo 4 Mobile and Colin Mcrae 5.
Create an Account
Member Login
