Straightforwardly, Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer represents the authentic 1995 arcade version of Ridge Racer, specifically tailored for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series gaming systems. While you might not use a steering wheel and pedals, this is an impressive adaptation of the arcade original that comes with unique extras you won’t find anywhere else.
Essentially, Ridge Racer primarily offers a single track (with two variations if you consider the longer route in Advanced and Time Trial modes), where the objective is to achieve the fastest time in each mode. For beginners, it’s a slow, two-lap race; for intermediate players, the speed increases with an additional lap; in Advanced, the race takes place on the extended course at the same speed; and Time Trial pushes the speed even further on the extended course.
The goal of this game is to race quickly through its different stages, recording your fastest times for each and uploading them to an online scoreboard. You can also play all the previous modes together in a single Time Attack Mode session, where you complete each mode sequentially and submit your best overall time after finishing the entire game in one go. My initial successful run took slightly more than 14 minutes, placing me at the 17th spot on the global leaderboard. However, it’s worth noting that simply completing a stage would have put me in the top 100 ranks at the time of writing.
Compared to many contemporary racers and games in the same price range, this one has less content. For a game that’s nearly 30 years old, launching at $16.99 might seem expensive. While it does have new features like online leaderboards and Time Attack, these are minor additions to what is essentially a fairly basic game. However, the core gameplay is incredibly enjoyable.
In Ridge Racer, the sensation of speed and smooth drifting through corners offers an unusually gratifying experience that many games strive, yet seldom achieve. Navigating a race without colliding or veering off course is commonplace in most racing games. However, the task of sustaining speed, hitting checkpoints, and passing opponents while avoiding obstacles becomes a genuine test of skill in Ridge Racer.
Playing this game gives me an exhilarating sense of speed, whether it’s a smooth lap or a thrilling drift. Despite having just one track, I find myself revisiting the game frequently for quick bursts of adrenaline since its release. However, let me clarify that contemporary controllers make things less challenging: this arcade game is primarily designed for a steering wheel and pedals, offering finer control through analog movement that standard controllers can’t match. This means the digital inputs might make handling tricky corners or drifts more manageable, but don’t expect to wow people with your skills at a real arcade.
While it’s undeniably enjoyable, the cost is noticeably higher than that of Fast Fusion, a launch title for Switch 2. Despite its quality gameplay, it seems a bit light on content compared to similar games in the market. So, unless there’s a sale, I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend it due to the price tag and the fierce competition.
In essence, Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer is almost identical to its arcade counterpart, offering an outstanding gaming experience with seamless gameplay and smooth performance. The recently introduced Time Attack mode significantly enhances the game, making it an ideal purchase when prices drop or during sales. Essentially, this revamped arcade racer should be a must-have for every gaming enthusiast.
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2025-06-12 15:46