Ridge Racer V

Overview

Ridge Racer V is a 2000 racing video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2. It was released as a launch title for the console and later followed by an arcade version subtitled Arcade Battle. Ridge Racer V is the fifth main title of the Ridge Racer series following R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 and the only one to be released on PlayStation 2 (excluding the spin-off R: Racing Evolution).

Moving away from Ridge Racer Type 4's approach, Ridge Racer V streamlined back to a simple racer without a story mode, set in fictional Ridge City based on circuits in and around the very first course introduced in Ridge Racer. Its soundtrack also features a heavier sound, directed by Namco's Kohta Takahashi and featuring other Namco composers such as Nobuyoshi Sano and Yuu Miyake, as well as external contributions from Boom Boom Satellites and Mijk van Dijk. The game also introduced a new race queen mascot, Ai Fukami, replacing Reiko Nagase.

Ridge Racer V was the highlight of PlayStation 2's original March 2000 launch. It received a positive reception for its visuals and speedy driving experience, but there was critique that it fell below expectations relative to the console's graphical assumptions, and divided critics for some elements such as its lack of content compared to its predecessor and noticeable jaggies. However, in retrospect, it has been considered one of the greatest arcade-style racers of all time, with praise given to its handling, environments, and challenge.

Screenshots

Game details

Genres

Racing, Arcade

Developer

Namco

Publisher

Namco

Series

Ridge Racer

Platforms

PlayStation 2

Age rating

ESRB E

Modes

Single player

Yes

Local multiplayer

No

Online multiplayer

Yes

Co op

No

Age ratings

ESRB

E

Release dates

Playable today

Credits

Publisher

Namco

Developer

Namco

Released

2000-10-26

Age rating

ESRB E

Region

US

Time to beat

about 3.6 hours