R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 Game by Namco Reviewed by Robby Cox koi@magicnet.net Save: Memory Card Released: 1999 Works with: JogCon, NegCon, Analog Controller, Vibration Feature. **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: The original Ridge Racer is still one of the greatest racing games ever made. I played the demo of R4 and wasn't initially very impressed. I then played it after I bought my Dual Shock Controller and changed my tune. I played the demo over and over until I finally bought the game. This game also comes with a Ridge Racer Bonus Turbo Mode Disc. This is basically a demo disc. On this 2nd disc, you can play some of the original Ridge Racer running at 60 Frames-Per-Second. It also has 1 track of the original Ridge Racer. There's also playable demos of Tekken 3 and Klonoa. There are video clips of Ace Combat 3, Point Blank, Point Blank 2, and Time Crisis. There are also some still pictures of Namco Museum Volumes 1 & 3. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Description: R4 is the absolute finest racing game ever made. Period! Hands down the greatest racer ever. Then again, I haven't played Gran Turismo yet. R4 takes everything that was great about the original RR and makes it better. It also takes everything that sucked about the original and fixes the mistakes. Make no mistake, R4 is an arcade racer. It's more reallistic than the original. You race 2 or 3 laps per track except for the final track which is I believe 6 laps, but it's a fairly short oval. The cars move exactly like they should and this game is just a blast to play. There's even a 2 player split-screen mode and there's a 4 player mode if you have the link cable, 2 Playsations, 4 controllers, 2 copies of R4, and 2 TVs. That sucks. Hopefully if Ridge Racer 64 ever sees the light of day there will be a 4 player mode. Anyways, this game is perfect and kicks major ass! Liked: This is the greatest racing game ever. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: R4 looks amazing. The replays look like video footage of actual races and the actual gameplay looks almost as good. The cars are very detailed, as are the tracks, and the game still moves at an impressive clip. The lighting fx are amazing. When the cars move, their taillights actually blur and bend. This is awesome. The headlights come on when it's dark and go off when it's light. The cars look exactly like they should. This is the prettiest racing game of all time, as well as the best looking Playstation game ever. Liked: Awesome graphics. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: R4 has some amazing music. The original had some great music as well, but R4's music is a lot better. It's a cross between Funk, R&B, Rock, and Jazz. This leads to some excellent tunes. The sound fx are great and really use the Surround Sound to good effect. Liked: Amazing music. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: R4 controls perfectly. The controls respond nicely. This game kicks major ass with a Dual Shock controller, but you can get by with a good old digital pad as well. The game design is great. There are 8 tracks and there are over 320 cars to open up. This means that you will be playing this game for a loooong time. Liked: Perfect controls. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Improve: Nothing. This game is absolutely perfect. RIYL: Ridge Racer, Ridge Racer Revolution, Rage Racer, Daytona USA. **************************************************************************** Final Words: R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 is an amazing game that is so much better than I can even describe. This is hands down the greatest racing game ever made. You will love this game. I guarantee it. Sorry, I was watching an infomercial while I was writing this. I really do think that this is the greatest racing game ever made and quite possibly the greatest Playstation game ever made. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 25 out of 25 Final Score: 100 % **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None. Template courtesy of Philip Wesley.