Ridge Racer DS

A bit late perhaps, but I dusted off this old gem sitting on my bookshelf recently, and wanted to say a few words.

Though it was a launch title for the DS over a year ago, I picked this one up a few months ago, when Circuit City was selling it for $10. Had to go to three different stores before I found it. And I can honestly say that I put more into this game - and got more out of it - than most other $30 to $50 DS games I own, combined.

Graphically, it's beautiful, as far as DS games go. A high framerate and first-person windshield perspective really give the sense of speed. Controls are fine (D-pad works best, thumb strap is a bit finicky for me), the announcer is loud and obnoxious (I think he's the same guy from Waverace 64). I'm told it's a port of an N64 game, that I never played.

What really made the game for me, though, was the insane level of difficulty and steep learning curve. It's a neat little racer to pick up and play; but to really beat the game - to place 1st on all the platinum cups and unlock all the cars - requires you to master it. You pretty much have to memorize the tracks, plan every turn before you make it, time your power-slide just right. I enjoy games of skill. I detest RPGs, I hate games where your "character" gets better at doing things. And this game makes you have to get better. I must've spent hours trying to unlock the last two cars. You had to make three laps without hitting the walls once. And you hit the walls a lot. At first.

It only has really four tracks (that opened and closed sections to make new tracks, rather cleverly), but they are beautifully done and I can play them all blindfolded. The game somehow managed to keep me interested, to keep trying over and over again to place 1st, to unlock all those cars. You start each race in 12th place, and it's generally impossible to reach 1st until the end of the final lap. A bit unrealistic and unfair perhaps (though you go faster than all your opponents), but there is always someone to overcome. You don't just start in first place and stay there. It manages to give that sense of achievement; that you're improving yourself.

I think I'm ranting. I just wanted to put in my two cents about what for me was an amazing gaming experience. If you enjoy mastering insanely difficult games, I'd suggest giving it a look. You could probably find it for pretty cheap nowadays.

Tomorrow I'm gonna try to put up a brief review of Deep Labyrinth. Nite.