Sometimes I wonder if Namco, in its own strange way, doesn't follow Herbert Hoover's old political slogan of "a chicken in every pot and a car in every backyard." After all, doesn't it seem like a given that at this point, with only a few exceptions, new hardware isn't new hardware unless there's a Ridge Racer to play on it? Which brings us to Ridge Racer 3D.
For over 15 years, Namco's familiar formula of drifts, powerslides, and big boosts has proven to be a mostly winning combo. And Ridge Racer 3D does little to deviate from that well-trodden path. Yes, it adds a new dynamic, but doesn't explore the new medium for much beyond the same sort of gimmickry that you often see film critics decry in 3D Hollywood fare.
At its core is a sound Ridge Racer game that feels roughly on par with 2005's PSP launch title. It's not quite as magical as that game, but it evokes the same the same streamlined and well-adapted spirit. And adaptation is really the operative term. RR3D carries certain strategic gameplay elements seen in RR titles that have come since RR PSP, such as RR7's reliance on slipstreaming to gain a lead on opposing cars.
Mechanically, the 3DS analog slider complements gameplay better than the PSP's tiny nub. It's bigger and more ergonomically sound for this style of game. But RR3D's namesake feature, while sometimes helpful, is mostly gimmicky. Most of the 3D effects are much less about providing a new spin on familiar gameplay and more for show and presentation (i.e. confetti-like paint chips flying off as you collide, dust kicking up during drifts, leaves hitting the screen). Other effects, such as shadows, feel super-pronounced. A little 3D goes a long way though. If you go through the game with the slider fully cranked, you will probably have to take a minute and stop racing so that your eyes don't strain too much.
RR3D falls short when it comes to multiplayer. There are no online features to speak of, and even the StreetPass feature merely allows you to collect other players' ghost data and rank them on your personal leaderboard. It's a blown chance to really show off what 3DS could do for a game like this, especially for a series which has had some sound online content in its more recent console iterations.
At its best, Ridge Racer 3D conjures up fond memories of 2005-era drifting and powersliding through exotic locales. At its worst, it squanders opportunities to really provide more than a few flying paint chips and ghost data races. Still, while it could have added up to a greater sum, its parts are still reasonably sound.
There are plenty of reasons for kids to keep playing Star Wars games online, with a plethora of characters, special Lego Star Wars games pieces and extra features to unlock. Lego and Star Wars is definitely a match made in marketing heaven.
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