Summary

Release Year: 1998
Genres: Racing
Platforms: PlayStation, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita
Developers: Namco
Publishers: Namco

Ridge Racer Type 4: The Pinnacle of Arcade Racing on the PS1

Released in 1998, Ridge Racer Type 4 (R4) was the fourth installment in Namco’s Ridge Racer series, and it was one of the most visually impressive and technically accomplished racing games of its time. R4 was one of the first games on the PlayStation to feature Gouraud shading on its polygons, which gave the game a much smoother and more realistic look than its predecessors. It was also the first Ridge Racer game to feature a two-player split-screen mode, and it offered two different driving models to choose from.

R4 featured 8 tracks (with reverse variants, for a total of 16 layouts) and 321 vehicles, all of which were fictional. The tracks were varied and challenging, and they offered a good mix of high-speed straightaways and technical corners. The car handling was excellent, and the game offered a good balance between speed and grip.

One of the most striking things about R4 was its graphics. The game’s use of Gouraud shading gave the cars and tracks a much more realistic look than anything that had been seen in a racing game before. The game also ran at a very smooth framerate, which made the racing experience even more immersive.

R4 was also one of the first racing games to feature a two-player split-screen mode. This mode allowed two players to race against each other on the same screen, which was a lot of fun. The game also offered two different driving models to choose from: a beginner-friendly model and a more challenging simulation model.

R4 was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best racing games on the PS1. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and track design were all top-notch, and it offered a lot of content to keep players entertained. If you’re a fan of arcade racing games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Ridge Racer Type 4.

The Cars

R4 featured a wide variety of cars to choose from, all of which were fictional. The cars were divided into four classes:

Compact: These cars were the smallest and lightest in the game, and they were best suited for handling tight corners.
Sports: These cars were larger and heavier than the compact cars, but they were still relatively agile. They were a good all-around choice for most tracks.
Muscle: These cars were the largest and heaviest in the game, but they also had the most power. They were best suited for high-speed tracks with long straightaways.
Exotic: These cars were the rarest and most expensive in the game, and they offered the best performance. They were the best choice for experienced players who wanted to set the fastest possible lap times.

Each car in R4 had its own unique stats, such as top speed, acceleration, handling, and grip. Players could also customize their cars with different paint jobs and decals.

The Tracks

R4 featured 8 tracks, each with its own unique layout and challenges. The tracks were:

Ridge City: A classic Ridge Racer track with a mix of high-speed straightaways and technical corners.
Harbour Line: A track that winds its way through a harbor, with plenty of opportunities for overtaking.
Lost Highway: A long and winding track with a variety of different road surfaces.
Rage City: A high-speed track with long straightaways and sweeping corners.
Bayside Route 7: A technical track with a lot of tight corners and elevation changes.
Incline City: A track that climbs up a mountain, with a mix of steep inclines and hairpin turns.
Lakeside: A track that winds its way around a lake, with a variety of different scenery.
Airport: A track that takes place on an airport runway, with plenty of room for high-speed racing.

Each track in R4 had its own reverse variant, which gave players a total of 16 different layouts to race on.

The Gameplay

R4’s gameplay was simple to learn, but difficult to master. The game’s controls were very responsive, and the car handling was excellent. Players could drift their cars around corners to gain an advantage, but they had to be careful not to spin out.

R4 offered a variety of different game modes to choose from, including:

Arcade Mode: A single-player mode where players race against computer-controlled opponents.
Time Trial Mode: A single-player mode where players try to set the fastest possible lap times.
Versus Mode: A two-player mode where players race against each other on the same screen.
Grand Prix Mode: A single-player mode where players race in a series of races to win a championship.

R4 also featured a number of different difficulty levels, so players of all skill levels could enjoy the game.

The Legacy

R4 was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best racing games on the PS1. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and track design were all top-notch, and it offered a lot of content to keep players entertained. R4 helped to establish the Ridge Racer series as one of the most popular racing franchises in the world, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans today.

Conclusion

Ridge Racer Type 4 is a classic arcade racing game that still holds up today. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and track design are all top-notch, and it offers a lot of content to keep players entertained. If you’re a fan of arcade racing games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Ridge Racer Type 4.