Ridge Racer’s debut on the PS3

Released in 2006 as a launch titles for the newly released PS3, Ridge Racer 7 is known for its arcade-style racing with a focus on speed and drifting. The game features both solo and multiplayer modes, a first in the series for the PlayStation platform. It’s also one of the few PS3 games to run at 1080p 60fps. Ridge Racer 7 maintains the series’ core mechanic of high-speed drifting. Players who enjoy mastering the art of sliding through turns at breakneck speeds find this exhilarating, and is a nice alterative to racing simulation games like Gran Turismo or Forza.

In terms of gameplay, there isn’t much different with the Xbox 360 exclusive Ridge Racer 6, with some even calling 7 a directors cut with extra content. It defiantly feels like an improvement rather than a new title in the series. There is nice selection of tracks, but they are improved versions of Ridge 6’s tracks. There isn’t much from the previous installments of the game unless you count the original track from the first release, now renamed as

The user interface is a complete overall to what was seen in Ridge Racer 6, giving a more dynamic view. Gone is the hex-style design of the race tree, instead you select which race you want to start from a simple menu.
Ridge State Grand prix is a series of races that can be completed in order to earn credits, that can be used to unlock and customize your machines for later races. These are treated as tournament where you have to race on three to five tracks, with your finishing position having an impact in your standing for the next race. Unlike previous games, you don’t have to win or finish in the top three, but you will have to try harder to compensate for the next race instead. Alternatively you have the option to replay the race gain, but you will be returned to the first race in the series.

There are also other races in the game, a Manufacturer’s Trial that lets you unlock specific machines when you win a specific race, or can unlock additional upgrades. There are also single events which are much difficult and can consist of time attack races, and regular races that have machine restrictions on them.
There was also downloadable content which included a set of 25 UFRA Special Events. These events were known for their higher difficulty level compared to the standard game races, providing additional challenges for players even after completing the main content.

As always, there is a specific time attack mode which will compare your results with other players online, and multiplayer either through splitscreen or online.

The music in the game is as amazing as always with some good techno and electronica tracks to race to that Ridge Race is known for. Namco also provided previous tracks to download that featured from previous installments in the game, giving you a sense of nostalgia from previous tracks in the game.

Sadly this was one of the last proper Ridge Racer games to be released. There would be a follow up in the form of Ridge Racer Unbounded, but this is perceived by players to be a Burnout knockoff rather than an actual Ridge Racer game. Portable consoles did continue to see Ridge Racer releases, namely the Nintendo 3DS and the PSVita, even mobile devices like the iPod Touch had Ridge Racer Accelerated. New installments would be released for the eighth-generation consoles, and the Ridge Race franchise has since been abandoned, and arcade racers in general.

There seems to be a broader trend where simulation racing games are gaining ground over arcade racers on modern consoles. This might be attributed to the desire for more authentic and challenging gameplay or the growth of esports and the professionalization of gaming.

But these sorts of games do not age well thanks to music and vehicle licenses expiring, meaning racing games typically get delisted after a few years and gives an expiration date for thee games. Arcade racing games continue to hold a cherished place in gaming culture. They cater to a different audience looking for quick, adrenaline-fueled fun without the steep learning curve of simulations. There is no reason why both cannot coexist, and titles like Dayona USA, Cruis’n USA and even Burnout will always have a place on any consoles/gaming hardware, either in native or emulated form.