Software:Ridge Racer (2004 video game)

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Short description: 2004 video game
Ridge Racer
North American version cover art
Developer(s)Namco
Publisher(s)Namco[lower-alpha 1]
Designer(s)Isao Nakamura
SeriesRidge Racer
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable
Release
  • JP: 12 December 2004
  • NA: 24 March 2005
  • PAL: 1 September 2005[1]
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ridge Racer, released in Japan as Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist., is an arcade racing video game developed by Namco for the PlayStation Portable. It is named after the eponymous Ridge Racer video game series to which it belongs. The game was released in Japan on 12 December 2004, in North America on 24 March 2005, and in Europe and Australia on 1 September as a launch title. Available in the game is a fully playable version of the Namco arcade game New Rally-X.

Ridge Racer has been described as a 'compilation' of the series, featuring tracks, cars and remixed soundtrack from previous titles in the 1990s.[2] Ridge Racer was very well received by critics and was praised for its visuals, gameplay and soundtrack. It was re-released in 2005/2006 as a platinum title. A sequel titled Ridge Racer 2 has also been released for the PSP.

Gameplay

The core aspect of the entire Ridge Racer series is drift racing, that is traditional lap racing against opponents with the added twist of intentionally oversteering and sliding the car through sharp corners and turns, known as "drifting", which earns the player several bonuses during a race.

Game modes are World Tour, Single race, Time Trial, and Wireless Battle, which supports up to 8 player multiplayer over the PSP's ad hoc, Wi-Fi network capability (see PSP Wireless Networking for further information).

The game also features a full motion video opening, that shows series mascot Reiko Nagase.

Nitrous

Notable in the game is the "nitrous boost" system. The player has a Nitrous Gauge made up of three nitrous tanks, which at the start of a race are either completely depleted or only partially full. As the player drifts through the corners (especially at very high slip angles) during the race, their nitrous gauge fills up. When the player fills up one of the three nitrous tanks, it can be activated to achieve a temporary speed boost. The nitrous tanks cannot be recharged while any tank is in use though, but the residual speed increase when the nitrous boost expires can be used just before entering corners to recharge the player's nitrous tanks at a faster rate than normal.

Music

The music in the game is a collection of new songs and songs taken from previous Ridge Racer games, arranged across several "discs". The "Red" and "Blue" discs contain all-new songs put together specifically for the game while the two "Classic" discs contains a collection of remastered songs from Ridge Racer titles. Lastly, the "Remix" disc contains songs from past titles remixed by their original composers.

Red Disc

  1. Highride
  2. Warp Trooper
  3. Bassrider
  4. Pulse Phaze
  5. Chrome Drive
  6. Synthetic Life

Blue Disc

  1. Disco Ball
  2. Night Stream
  3. Light Groove
  4. Vanishing Horizon
  5. Tunnel Visionary
  6. Tek Trek

Remix Disc

  1. Rotterdam Nation Remix - from the PlayStation titles, Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer Revolution.
  2. Speedster Remix - from the PlayStation titles, Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer Revolution.
  3. Drive U 2 Dancing Remix - from the arcade title Ridge Racer 2 and the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Revolution.
  4. Rareheroes - featured in many past Ridge Racer titles.
  5. Blue Topaz Remix - from the arcade title, Rave Racer.
  6. Motor Species Remix - from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Type 4.

Classic Disc 1

  1. Ridge Racer - A remastered version of the title tune from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer.
  2. Grip - from the arcade title, Ridge Racer 2, and the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Revolution.
  3. Euphoria - from the arcade title, Rave Racer.
  4. Silver Stream - from the PlayStation title, Rage Racer.
  5. Naked Glow - from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Type 4
  6. Your Vibe - from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Type 4.

Classic Disc 2

  1. Move Me - from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Type 4.
  2. Movin' in Circles - from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Type 4.
  3. Eat 'Em Up! - from the PlayStation title, Ridge Racer Type 4 (this was a secret track acquired along with the Pac-Man car after unlocking all 320 of the cars featured in the game).
  4. TsuiTsui - from the PlayStation 2 title, Ridge Racer V.
  5. Samurai Rocket - from the PlayStation 2 title, Ridge Racer V.
  6. Daredevil - from the PlayStation 2 title, Ridge Racer V.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic88/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge8/10[4]
EGM8.83/10[5]
Eurogamer9/10[6][7]
Famitsu34/40[8]
Game Informer7.5/10[9]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[10]
GameRevolutionB[11]
GameSpot8.3/10[12]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarStar[13]
GameZone8.6/10[14]
IGN9.1/10[15]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStarHalf star[16]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarStar[17]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarStarStarHalf star[18]
The TimesStarStarStarStar[19]

Ridge Racer received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] Its graphical ability and visuals were incredible on a portable device in 2004, and it was further praised for its gameplay, soundtrack (which also consisted of remixed tracks from older Ridge Racer titles) and multiplayer option. PALGN praised the game's graphics and the gameplay and considered the best Ridge Racer title for PSP.[20] GameBiz also held similar sentiment of the game.[citation needed] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of two eights and two nines for a total of 34 out of 40.[8]

References

  1. ↑ van Leuveren, Luke (7 July 2005). "Ridge Racer Preview". Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111130064349/http://palgn.com.au/sony-psp/2427/ridge-racer-preview/. Retrieved 23 August 2020. 
  2. ↑ Peak, Tony (April 2005). "Ridge Racer". Mobile Tech Review. http://www.mobiletechreview.com/games/PSP/ridge_racer.htm. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Ridge Racer for PSP Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/ridge-racer/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. Retrieved 12 February 2016. 
  4. ↑ Edge staff (February 2005). "Ridge Racers". Edge (Future plc) (146): 68. 
  5. ↑ EGM staff (May 2005). "Ridge Racer (PSP)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (191): 92. 
  6. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (24 December 2004). "Ridge Racers". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 31 December 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041231152417/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57482. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  7. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (31 August 2005). "Ridge Racer (PSP)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ridgeracer_psp. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "リッジレーサーズ" (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). December 2004. 
  9. ↑ "Ridge Racer (PSP)". Game Informer (GameStop) (145): 138. May 2005. 
  10. ↑ GameGirl (23 March 2005). "Ridge Racer Review for PSP on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on 24 March 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050324084341/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/43650.shtml. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  11. ↑ Ferris, Duke (30 March 2005). "Ridge Racer Review (PSP)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001231806/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ridge-racer. Retrieved 23 August 2020. 
  12. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (18 March 2005). "Ridge Racer Review (PSP)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ridge-racer-review/1900-6120722/. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  13. ↑ Williams, Bryn (23 March 2005). "GameSpy: Ridge Racer (PSP)". IGN Entertainment. http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/ridge-racer-psp/598408p1.html. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  14. ↑ Aceinet (5 April 2005). "Ridge Racer - PSP - Review". Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081007003628/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24545.htm. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  15. ↑ Nix, Marc (17 March 2005). "Ridge Racer (PSP)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/17/ridge-racer-2. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  16. ↑ "Ridge Racer (PSP)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (92): 111. May 2005. 
  17. ↑ James, Chris (27 July 2005). "Ridge Racer". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/000205/ridge-racer/. Retrieved 23 August 2020. 
  18. ↑ Hill, Jason (27 August 2005). "Slick slider". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328205320/https://www.smh.com.au/news/games/slick-slider/2005/08/23/1124562860153.html. Retrieved 22 August 2020. 
  19. ↑ McNamara, John (10 September 2005). "Ridge Racer (PSP)". The Times. Archived from the original on 29 September 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060929081522/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18589-1769228,00.html. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  20. ↑ van Leuveren, Luke (1 September 2005). "Ridge Racer Review - Sony PSP Video Game Review". Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100712130640/http://palgn.com.au/sony-psp/2988/ridge-racer-review/. Retrieved 28 March 2017. 
  1. ↑ Published in North America by Namco Hometek and in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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