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Ridge Racer 7: 3D License Version preview: Nothing left in the tank

by Andrew Yoon on Sep 17th 2010 6:00PM

Ridge Racer 7: 3D License Version is Namco Bandai's response to Sony's own MotorStorm 3D Rift. Unfortunately, the TGS demo falls a bit ... flat.

Like 3D Rift, this PSN-exclusive will be available in Japan on October 1 for a fair price: ¥500 (about $6). However, unlike 3D Rift, this add-on will require the original game. Also, it doesn't look very good. Ridge Racer 7 was one of the earliest PS3 titles available, and it hasn't aged well. There's a noticeable lack of detail in the world, and it simply can't compete with the experiences offered by current games like Gran Turismo 5. Even the 3D effect in Ridge Racer 7 is not as pronounced as in other 3D racing titles.

A North American release of Ridge Racer 7: 3D License Version hasn't been announced, but after playing the demo, I'm not particularly eager for that to happen. With so many other 3D games coming so soon, I don't think the ride would be worth even the budget-priced ticket.

Tags: 3d, 3d-license-version, dlc, namco-bandai, playstation, ps3, psn, ridge-racer-7, ridge-racer-7-3d, ridge-racer-7-3d-license-version, tgs-2010

Reader Comments (20)

Namco...this is what you've been working on instead of giving us the Tales of...series?

Personally, I'm actually happy to see a company bringing content to a game this old even if it is only 3d. Regardless of what anyone says, the ridge racer series is one of my favorite driving games ever. It will be nice to have a reason to dust it off and go back to it again for a couple more drifting sessions.

Oh god I'm having a flashback...

RIIIIIIIIDDDDDDGGGEEEE RAAAAAAAAACCCCEERRRRRRRRRRR!

@soypancho

Always remember we have to attack its weak point for Massive Damage!

@soypancho I don't think that will ever get old.

Maybe Namco will make a proper Ridge Racer 8. I still play RR7 from time to time....arcade racers are my cup of tea : )

Ridge Racer was one of the first games i owned for the PS1, it was a bit uninspired then... i can see some things are left unchanged.

What nonsense. I play Ridge Racer 7 constantly and it's aged very well. It doesn't suffer from that nasty plasticine look that a lot of early games this generation suffered from, and the vibrant track design makes it a damn site more interesting to look at that most racers.

If the 3D's crap, fine, but don't try and make out like the game is an eyesore when it's not. In fact, all the Ridge Racer games from Rage Racer onwards have aged well.

/butthurt

@RonnocoMail

agreed, this game still looks and plays phenomenal.

@c86

If only I could find the willpower to race angelus again.

I threw in the towel when I lost by 0.005 secs.

@RonnocoMail

I didn't have a problem with the world detail, but the game obviously doesn't have the same level of detail as basically any full price racer launched in the past couple of years.

I think you make the point well when you say you think Ridge Racers from the PS1 era aged well. I love those games too.

Anyway, RR7 really was one of my least favorite games this generation. Drifting was just... wrong feeling. Fortunately for some, this game sells quite cheap used. This is probably $10. I think some will find that's a bargain.

"and it simply can't compete with the experiences offered by current games like Gran Turismo 5"

GT5 isn't a current game...it's a future game.

@RonnocoMail

I totally agree. RR7 is an awesome game with fluid motion and lots of colorful effects. Trying to compare a Ridge Racer game to Gran Turismo or other simulation type racers is just plain wrong. I would expect more from someone writing for a gaming site. It is not meant to be that type of racer. I prefer the arcade type racer over the preciseness and realism of GT type games.

I play RR7 more then I play any other PS3 game it is still fun today as it was 3 years ago when it came out.

Isn't RR7 the only PS3 game so far with "native full 1080p" support or whatever the term was?

dam namco they wanted time putting a 3D mode into ridge racer 7! i want ridge racer 8, not this 3D crap!

Another fine example of Japanese devs JUST NOT GETTING IT!!! Stale and stuck in the past game play and graphics. After the conferences and much talk of how Japanese devved games are so far behind everyone else, even some speaking on Jap devs arrogance seeming to still believe they are top dog, a game like this pops up. I just don't get Japanese devs. Maybe it's because the Japanese are strongly tradition based and once a precedence for them is set, they don't stray from it.

"Ridge Racer 7 was one of the earliest PS3 titles available, and it hasn't aged well. There's a noticeable lack of detail in the world, and it simply can't compete with the experiences offered by current games like Gran Turismo 5 "

I feel dumb after reading something like this... C'mon, Joystick, report the news, stick to the facts and don't go hating on good games for no good reason. RR7 and GT5 are _completely_ different game experiences. The former is an arcade racer, the latter a racing simulation. They cannot be compared. For what its worth, RR7 still provides a unique experience and I certainly wouldn't mind RR8.

You've also got to bear in mind that RR7 is also one of the very, very few truly 1080p 60fps games this generation, on either console. With this in mind, it looks excellent for its age.

So... Trophy support then?

I don't think I'll be getting this even if I love Ridge Racer. Maybe if it gets some more improvements.

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Ridge Racer 7

Ridge Racer 7: 3D License Version preview: Nothing left in the tank

Reader Comments (20)

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 6:08PM Jason B said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 6:11PM Stubs24 said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 6:31PM soypancho said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 7:08PM Stevetrop Man of Mystery said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 10:33PM gwangi said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 7:04PM darthdavid said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 7:10PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 8:27PM RonnocoMail said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 8:42PM c86 said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 9:01PM MrAlex said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 4:50AM Dustin F said

Posted: Sep 17th 2010 10:37PM ShingoEX said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 12:21AM Zippy Zapp said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 7:18AM Angry Frank said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 10:01AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 10:29AM TreyIM2 said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 11:03AM ymmv said

Posted: Sep 18th 2010 12:43PM Goity said

Posted: Sep 19th 2010 4:49PM SpeedLazer said

Posted: Sep 19th 2010 10:56PM Yigytugd said

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