The unique launch of PSP’s Ridge Racer 2 might be criticised for being nearly precisely the identical sport as its predecessor, solely with just a few extra tracks and modes. Nonetheless, that does not actually matter at the moment, particularly now it is one of many uncommon Ridge Racer titles playable on trendy consoles. With its one blemish now moot, what we’re left with is among the most joyous, fashionable, and satisfying arcade racing obtainable — in the event you’re a PS Plus Premium member.
Basically a sequence “best hits”, this sport cherry-picks programs and music from earlier entries and options dozens of more and more speedy autos to whip round all these sweeping corners. For followers in 2023, that is about pretty much as good as you possibly can hope for — all of the classics are right here, and it is introduced with crisp upscaled visuals, although it’s a slight disgrace some parts stay untouched.
Ridge Racer’s core enchantment lies in its emphasis on over-the-top, fantastically easy, endlessly enjoyable power-sliding, and it feels simply pretty much as good now because it did again in 2006 on PSP. There’s nothing on at the moment’s market that gives such immediately rewarding arcade racing — it simply feels unbelievable to play. The enhance mechanic additionally made its debut right here, including a small however appreciated additional layer to the motion.
Its construction could be very easy, with a sequence of World Excursions comprising two or three races which require you to zoom from final to first. Nonetheless, in an age the place many racing titles are pushing open world extravagance, the stage-based strategy is refreshing. A handful of different modes allow you to play single races, elimination, and time assault, and except for steadily unlocking new vehicles, that is your lot.
Sadly, any multiplayer choices have been stripped away, and so have the prizes for finishing every World Tour, which rewarded you with issues like opening motion pictures for previous Ridge Racer video games. The one different frustration comes from AI drivers, who might be tough to overhaul. All in all, although, that is simply among the many finest traditional video games on PS Plus Premium. It is a well timed reminder that, at their peak, arcade racers can simply rank among the many most gratifying video video games you possibly can play.
