Joystiq

Ridge Racer Unbounded is undelayed [update: officially released]

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST

Earlier this month, Namco announced that Ridge Racer Unbounded would be delayed from March 6 until "later in 2012" to add more features. The final release date was to be given "shortly."

It's something of a surprise, then, that people are already finding the game in stores. NeoGAF users are reporting that they've found copies on store shelves. Even more surprising, it's available right now on GameStop.com. But ... only on Xbox 360. The PS3 version still appears as a pre-order, with a release date of yesterday.

We're checking with Namco now to figure out what the official release date is supposed to be. But while you wait to find that out, you're welcome to buy the game.

Update: A Namco representative told Joystiq that the official release date was yesterday, March 27.

Ridge Racer Unbounded is undelayed [update: officially released] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded trailer creates a few cities

David Hinkle — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:00:00 EST

It looks like race fans will have quite a few options when imagining new racing locales in Ridge Racer Unbounded. We call first on the loop-de-loop!

Ridge Racer Unbounded trailer creates a few cities originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You're going to wub the Ridge Racer Unbounded soundtrack

David Hinkle — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST

The soundtrack for Namco-Bandai's latest entry in its long-running racing series, Ridge Racer Unbounded, has been revealed. It'll feature electronic music prominently, including some of the more well-known artists out there right now like Skrillex and The Crystal Method. The kids tell us these are "hot acts."

Skrillex's "Kill Everybody" and "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" will be in the game, joined by other lesser-known contributions from artists Scratch Perverts, Unknown Error, OVERSEER, RuN RiOT, Ever Never and, as stated, The Crystal Method. Also, series fans will be glad to hear that Hiroshi Okubo, who has been rocking the radio dials for the past 18 years, will contribute several new tunes created exclusively for Ridge Racer Unbounded.

Namco-Bandai recently pushed back the launch of Ridge Racer Unbounded, which now has a tentative "late 2012" launch window.

Continue reading You're going to wub the Ridge Racer Unbounded soundtrack

You're going to wub the Ridge Racer Unbounded soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded staying in captivity for a few more months

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST

Ridge Racer Unbounded's delay in Europe is extending to the rest of the world, and unfortunately getting an extra extension into the unknown. Namco announced this afternoon that Unbounded is delayed until "later in 2012," and a new date will be given "shortly," alongside news of pre-order incentives and game features. A tease of a marketing plan? Hot dog!

Much like Namco's other delay from today, the amorphous reason for the delay is "additional time to pack the disc with features that will truly make the game sing." Singing cars? Now we're talkin'!

Continue reading Ridge Racer Unbounded staying in captivity for a few more months

Ridge Racer Unbounded staying in captivity for a few more months originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded delayed four weeks in Europe

Xav de Matos — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:30:00 EST

Who has time to make a hackneyed "Riiiiidge Raaacer" joke when vital information has just been released regarding the franchise's next installment? Oh, wait, we totally do. Unbounded, the next game in Kaz Hirai's favorite series, has been delayed to March 30 in Europe, Eurogamer reports.

"The development team felt they needed a little bit of extra time to optimise the game," publisher Namco Bandai told the site. The Bugbear-developed racer is coming to the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Ridge Racer Unbounded was originally scheduled to launch in Europe on March 3. Multiple North American retailers still list the game as scheduled for March 6. Joystiq has contacted publisher Namco Bandai to clarify whether the North American release date has been affected.

Ridge Racer Unbounded delayed four weeks in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer: Unbounded trailer turns out some destruction, level editor

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST

Ridge Racer will be heavily seasoned with Burnout flavors when Unbounded hits the streets on March 6. The latest trailer shows some of the developers playing with cars (when they should be crashing them!), but it also includes footage of the game's level editor mixed in with all the crashing.

Continue reading Ridge Racer: Unbounded trailer turns out some destruction, level editor

Ridge Racer: Unbounded trailer turns out some destruction, level editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer: Unbounded unleashed March 6

JC Fletcher — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Though the title implies otherwise, Ridge Racer: Unbounded's development period has been given strict bounds. Developer Bugbear absolutely must be finished making the surprising new racer by March 6 of next year ... because that's the release date.

Namco Bandai also released a new trailer focusing on multiplayer gameplay. Luckily, that's been captured within some pretty clear limits as well. Specifically, the little window above.

Ridge Racer: Unbounded unleashed March 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded: Crashing through expectations

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:00:00 EST

You know Ridge Racer, right? It's that arcade racing stalwart that occasionally revives itself for a new platform launch or awkward update, but consistently delivers drift-heavy, if not somewhat stale, racing mechanics? Or maybe you know it like I do, as a game to occasionally obsess over, to replay over and over while its electronica soundtrack bounces along in the background.

Either way, Ridge Racer Unbounded is none of those things. Sure, Unbounded's driving still leans heavily on drifting, and the soundtrack is still composed of bouncy, synthetic beats, but Unbounded is an entirely different beast from previous entries in the series. It combines elements of both Split/Second and Need for Speed to concoct a hybrid Ridge Racer experience like none before, and -- at least thus far -- creates a surprisingly refined experience as a result.

Gallery: Ridge Racer Unbounded (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading Ridge Racer Unbounded: Crashing through expectations

Ridge Racer Unbounded: Crashing through expectations originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded gameplay video ruins dozens of sidewalk cafes

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST

Ridge Racer Unbounded, the newest entry in Namco Bandai's ever-present racing series, has historically played its cards fairly close to its chest. Little has been revealed about the racer since it was first announced back in February, and ridge-racing veterans have expressed concern over the decidedly extreme direction the series appears to be taking.

Thanks to the magic that is Gamescom, however, we now know quite a bit about Unbounded's core gameplay mechanics. As explained by producer Joonas Laakso in the video above, the title's "crash race" mode slots neatly between Ridge Racers of yore and Split/Second: players fill a power meter by drifting, which can then be used to open shortcuts or destroy other racers. Environments are also highly destructible, with points awarded for destroying "collateral" that has been deemed "inconsequential." Chewing up the scenery with your front fascia will be instrumental in finding the fastest lines, as well as earning the highest scores.

At the moment, we're intrigued by the racer's dramatic cinematics and minimalistic UI presentation, however it's also possible that we've simply been entranced by Joonas Laakso's accent. Unbounded is due out in 2012, so we'll just have to wait and see if the title can hold up without European charm.

Ridge Racer Unbounded gameplay video ruins dozens of sidewalk cafes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namco Bandai media roundup: Trailers from Tekken, Tales, Ace Combat, and more

JC Fletcher — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST

Namco Bandai went just a little crazy at GamesCom, releasing entirely too much media for us to post piecemeal. So after the break, you can find new trailers and screens for two Ace Combats (on PS3/Xbox and 3DS), two Tekkens (on PS3 and 3DS), Tales of the Abyss, Inversion, and more.

Armored Core 5 alone has earned a "blowout" appelation, with no fewer than three videos and a gallery. How much do you love mechs? Find out right now!

Continue reading Namco Bandai media roundup: Trailers from Tekken, Tales, Ace Combat, and more

Namco Bandai media roundup: Trailers from Tekken, Tales, Ace Combat, and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Create cities to ruin in Ridge Racer Unbounded

JC Fletcher — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:30:00 EST

Ridge Racer Unbounded breaks with series tradition in more than subtitle and attitude. The above trailer introduces the "City Creator" feature, allowing players to lay out their own environments. And then smash into them head-on.

Create cities to ruin in Ridge Racer Unbounded originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded will be a brand within a brand

Justin McElroy — Wed, 11 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

Some of you in the Ridge Racer hardcore may have been a little put out by early video of the edgier Ridge Racer Unbounded, but it appears you needn't worry. During Namco Bandai's Level Up event in Dubai, product manager Kevin Chadine said that the Ridge Racer brand is becoming a larger umbrella with several series underneath it, much like EA has done with Need For Speed, saying of Unbounded that "This is just a different branch."

So don't fret, Ridge Racers. Think of Unbounded less as a new direction and more a sidepath, a shortcut that's being explored. And, assuming this is the first of many, let's hope the side streets down the road have better names.

Continue reading Ridge Racer Unbounded will be a brand within a brand

Ridge Racer Unbounded will be a brand within a brand originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded teaser trailer is far less crashy

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST

The first trailer we saw for Namco and Bugbear's Ridge Racer Unbounded didn't focus so much on driving as much as it focused on T-boning innocent pedestrians. This (much shorter) teaser actually features a racer obeying the rules of the road. Well, kind of. A little.

Continue reading Ridge Racer Unbounded teaser trailer is far less crashy

Ridge Racer Unbounded teaser trailer is far less crashy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racer Unbounded colliding with Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2012

David Hinkle — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:01:00 EST

Namco Bandai Games VP of marketing, Carlson Choi, describes Ridge Racer Unbounded as "very different from the Ridge Racer you've come to know." if you've ever bought a game console at launch, you've probably come to know Ridge Racer very well, and you'll easily recognize the face of Reiko, the franchise's seemingly immortal mascot.

Her behavior in the Unbounded trailer shows a turn for the worse -- she crashes her expensive car through a busy intersection, implying that Ridge Racer is about to adopt a more dangerous and careless approach to racing. Another, more obvious clue: It's being developed by Bugbear Entertainment, creator of chaotic arcade racer FlatOut.

Ridge Racer Unbounded is set to arrive on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC sometime in 2012.

Continue reading Ridge Racer Unbounded colliding with Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2012

Ridge Racer Unbounded colliding with Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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