Software:Ridge Racer 64

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Short description: 2000 video game


Ridge Racer 64
File:200px200px
Ridge Racer 64 cover art (top) and Ridge Racer DS cover art (bottom)
Developer(s)Nintendo Software Technology[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Nintendo
  • NA: Namco Hometek (DS)
Director(s)Akila Redmer
Producer(s)Scott Cuthbertson
Programmer(s)Claude Comaire
Artist(s)Raymond Yan
Composer(s)Keith Arem
SeriesRidge Racer
Platform(s)Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS
ReleaseNintendo 64
  • NA: February 14, 2000
  • EU: July 4, 2000
Nintendo DS
  • NA: December 7, 2004
  • AU: May 22, 2005
  • EU: June 3, 2005
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ridge Racer 64 is a 2000 racing video game developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the first title of Namco's Ridge Racer series to not be on arcades or a PlayStation console, with Namco licensing the series to Nintendo to develop the game.[1] In 2004, the game was remade for the Nintendo DS as Ridge Racer DS, which uses the system's features such as the touch-screen and wireless multi-player.[2] Additionally, Gina Cavalli from Software:R: Racing Evolution replaced Reiko Nagase as the mascot in the DS version.[3] The N64 version received its first official re-release on the Nintendo Classics service on January 31, 2025;[4] followed by a Japanese release in May 16, 2025.

Gameplay

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSN64
EGM5.17/10[8][lower-alpha 2]8/10[9][lower-alpha 3]
Eurogamer6/10[11]N/A
Game Informer7/10[12]7.25/10[13]
GameFanN/A(T.R.) 97%[14]
91%[15][lower-alpha 4]
GameSpot6.6/10[16]8.4/10[17]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[18]N/A
HyperN/A90%[19]
IGN7.5/10[2]9/10[20]
N64 MagazineN/A91%[21]
Next GenerationN/AStarStarStarStar[22]
Nintendo Power3.6/5[23]7.9/10[24]
Nintendo World Report6/10[25]N/A
Detroit Free PressStarStar[26]N/A
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStar[27]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic63/100[5]82/100[6]

The N64 version received "generally favorable" reviews, while the DS remake received "mixed or average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6]

N64 original

Michael Wolf of NextGen gave a positive review for the Nintendo 64 version.[22] Joe Ottoson of AllGame gave it four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "If you're looking for some intense but uncomplicated racing action, Ridge Racer 64 is nearly at the peak of straight up racing action on the Nintendo 64. With a wide variety of tracks and plenty of hidden cars to unlock there's a lot to see and win over the course of the game."[28] Michael "Major Mike" Weigand of GamePro said of the same Nintendo 64 version in one review, "Arcade racing fans who have had to be content with SF Rush and Cruis'n titles will find Ridge Racer 64 a big improvement. Although the multiplayer races are a disappointment, solo compeitors will want to add this title to their collections."[29][lower-alpha 5] In another GamePro review, however, The Freshman called it "a decent game for people who must have every Ridge Racer known to man, but last year's Ridge Racer Type 4 was much better. In the supersaturated world of N64 racing, RR64 barely manages to keep up."[30][lower-alpha 6]

DS remake

Later, however, Four-Eyed Dragon said of the DS version, "with a frustrating control scheme, Ridge Racer only stays in low gear. It's lucky that this driver is one of the first out of the DS gates, or else it wouldn't have stood a chance."[31][lower-alpha 7]

Notes

  1. ↑ Additional support by Namco
  2. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the DS version each a score of 6.5/10, and the other gave it 2.5/10.
  3. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Nintendo 64 version each a score of 8/10, one gave it 7.5/10, and the other gave it 8.5/10 in an early review.
  4. ↑ In GameFan's early viewpoint of the Nintendo 64 version, three critics gave it each a score of 94, 91, and 88.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version three 4.5/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4/5 for sound in one review.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 2.5/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor in another review.
  7. ↑ GamePro gave the DS version 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 2/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (2000-06-29). "No Ridge Racer for Japan" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/29/no-ridge-racer-for-japan. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harris, Craig (December 1, 2004). "Ridge Racer DS". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/02/ridge-racer-ds. 
  3. ↑ Brakeman (2018-09-21). "Franchise Festival #30: Ridge Racer" (in en-US). https://the-avocado.org/2018/09/21/franchise-festival-30-ridge-racer/. 
  4. ↑ Romano, Sal (January 31, 2025). "Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Switch Online adds Ridge Racer 64". https://www.gematsu.com/2025/01/nintendo-64-nintendo-switch-online-adds-ridge-racer-64. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Ridge Racer DS". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/ridge-racer-ds/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Ridge Racer 64". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/ridge-racer-64/. 
  7. ↑ Ham, Tom (March 10, 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". CNET. http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Nintendo/Ridgeracer64/. 
  8. ↑ Linn, Demian; Bettenhausen, Shane; Smith, Dave (January 2005). "Ridge Racer DS". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (187): 140. https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a7/EGM_US_187.pdf. Retrieved November 18, 2023. 
  9. ↑ Chou, Che; Johnston, Chris; Hager, Dean; Davison, John (February 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (127): 179. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/37/EGM_US_127.pdf. Retrieved November 18, 2023. 
  10. ↑ Lucas, Victor (February 25, 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2125&full=1. 
  11. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (December 14, 2004). "Ridge Racer DS". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-ridgeracerds-ds. 
  12. ↑ Kato, Matthew (January 2005). "Ridge Racer DS". Game Informer (GameStop) (141): 145. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200501/R05.0126.1845.45330.htm. Retrieved March 25, 2017. 
  13. ↑ McNamara, Andy; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew (February 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (82). https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4837. Retrieved March 25, 2017. 
  14. ↑ Rodirguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (February 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (2): 36–37. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_02/page/n37/mode/2up. Retrieved March 5, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (February 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (2): 13. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_02/page/n13/mode/2up. Retrieved March 5, 2021. 
  16. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (December 1, 2004). "Ridge Racer DS Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ridge-racer-ds-review/1900-6114224/. 
  17. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (February 15, 2000). "Ridge Racer 64 Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ridge-racer-64-review/1900-2545096/. 
  18. ↑ O'Donnell, Ryan (December 7, 2004). "GameSpy: Ridge Racer DS". IGN Entertainment. http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/ridge-racer-ds/571557p1.html. 
  19. ↑ Shea, Cam (May 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd) (79): 48, 53–55. https://archive.org/details/hyper-079/page/48/mode/2up. Retrieved November 18, 2023. 
  20. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (February 14, 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/15/ridge-racer-64. 
  21. ↑ Green, Mark (April 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". N64 Magazine (Future plc) (40): 50–57. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Wolf, Michael (April 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". NextGen (Imagine Media) (64): 84. https://archive.org/details/NextGen64Apr2000/page/n85/mode/2up. Retrieved March 4, 2021. 
  23. ↑ "Ridge Racer DS". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 188: 115. February 2005. 
  24. ↑ "Ridge Racer 64". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 129: 123. February 2000. https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-371-123.jpg. Retrieved November 18, 2023. 
  25. ↑ Rodriguez, Steven (December 22, 2004). "Ridge Racer DS". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4311/ridge-racer-ds-nintendo-ds. 
  26. ↑ Schaeffer, Jim (December 26, 2004). "DOUBLE TROUBLE: New DS games lack the originality to fill two screens". Detroit Free Press (Gannett Company). http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game26e_20041226.htm. 
  27. ↑ Wilcox, Mick (July 23, 2005). "Step back in time". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/step-back-in-time-20050723-gdlq6m.html. 
  28. ↑ Ottoson, Joe. "Ridge Racer 64 - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19299&tab=review. 
  29. ↑ Weigand, Michael "Major Mike" (March 2000). "Ridge Racer 64". GamePro (IDG) (138): 100. https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-1671-102.jpg. Retrieved November 18, 2023. 
  30. ↑ The Freshman (February 24, 2000). "Ridge Racer 64 Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/4907.shtml. Retrieved March 25, 2017. 
  31. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (February 2005). "Ridge Racer DS". GamePro (IDG) (197): 82. https://retrocdn.net/images/2/20/GamePro_US_197.pdf. Retrieved November 18, 2023. 
  • 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 lengthy 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]

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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 lengthy 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]

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari





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