Rave Racer

Rave Racer
DeveloperNamco
PublisherNamco
DesignersKenji Wakabayashi, Fumihiro Tanaka
ComposersShinji Hosoe, Nobuyoshi Sano
SeriesRidge Racer
PlatformsArcade
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Release
GenreRacing
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Rave Racer[a] is a 1995 arcade racing video game developed and published by Namco. It is the third title in the Ridge Racer series and the follow-up to Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer 2. Rave Racer runs on Namco System 22 hardware,[3] and could be played by two people per cabinet for up to eight players total when up to four of them were linked together.[4] Compared to Ridge Racer 2, Rave Racer adds two new tracks as well as the ability to play the original two, various handling changes, force feedback steering, and improved car and racetrack graphics.[5] Rave Racer was a critical and commercial success; it would be the last major arcade Ridge Racer title until Ridge Racer V: Arcade Battle (2000) as Namco focused on home consoles with titles such as R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (1998) and Ridge Racer 64 (2000).

Gameplay

Players control a racecar in an attempt to complete a series of races in first place while avoiding opponents. Each race is made of three laps that must be completed under a time limit; finishing a lap adds a few extra seconds to the timer.[6]

The new tracks contain various side roads, but some of them take more time than others to complete a full lap of the track. Like Ridge Racer 2, Rave Racer also featured a new soundtrack.

Development and release

A Microsoft Windows version was originally under development for NEC's PowerVR graphics processor,[7] and was demonstrated in early 1996. However the game was cancelled, thus no games in the Ridge Racer series were released for PCs until Ridge Racer Unbounded in 2012. A PlayStation version was announced later in 1996,[8] but it was also cancelled. A standalone game, Rage Racer was instead produced for the console.

Legacy

The home console port was released for the first time in February 26, 2026, almost 31 years after the game's original release, as part of the Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, courtesy of Hamster Corporation.[9] It was also re-released for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S through the Arcade Archives 2 series.[10]

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Rave Racer as the most popular dedicated arcade game of September 1995.[12] It went on to be the highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1996 in Japan.[13]

A critic for Next Generation remarked that while the game makes few changes from its predecessors, those changes are important enough to make it a dramatic improvement. He found the more accurate and responsive control particularly pleasing, saying it allows players to pull off more impressive maneuvers and race without having to compensate for the controls. He also praised the fast-paced music and graphical touches. Concluding that "despite only four courses, one of which is a rehash, this racer kicks", he gave it four out of five stars.[11]

In 1996, Next Generation listed the game at number 94 in their "Top 100 Games of All Time", citing a force-feedback steering wheel, loud speakers, a huge monitor, and a link to up to seven other units.[14]

In 2023, Time Extension ranked the game ninth on their "Best Ridge Racer Games" list, calling it "a more refined and enjoyable experience" compared to the original Ridge Racer.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: レイブレーサー, Hepburn: Reibu Rēsā

References

  1. ^ Masumi Akagi (2005). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005).
  2. ^ "The Arcade Flyer Archive: Rave Racer (Namco)". Archived from the original on 2019-09-16. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  3. ^ "Arcade Race Restarts". Next Generation (10). Imagine Media: 20. October 1995.
  4. ^ Rave Racer Twin Upgrade Kit Manual. Namco. p. 4.
  5. ^ "Rave Racer". The International Arcade Museum. Archived from the original on 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
  6. ^ a b Cook, Brad (1998). "Rave Racer - Review". Allgame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "Rave Racer". Next Generation. No. 19. Imagine Media. July 1996. pp. 54–55.
  8. ^ "Rave Racer". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 88. Ziff Davis. November 1996. p. 42.
  9. ^ Keatsman. "Rave Racer Arcade Classic Makes 31-Year-Awaited Home Console Debut". Filmogaz. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  10. ^ Romano, Sal (2026-02-05). "Arcade Archives 2 Rave Racer announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2; Arcade Archives Rave Racer for PS4 and Switch". Gematsu. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  11. ^ a b "Rave Racer". Next Generation. No. 10. Imagine Media. October 1995. p. 130.
  12. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 503. Amusement Press. September 15, 1995. p. 31.
  13. ^ Akagi, Masumi, ed. (1 February 1997). ""Tekken 2", "Virtua Cop 2" Top Videos '96" (PDF). Game Machine. No. 534. Amusement Press, Inc. p. 26. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Top 100 Games of All Time". Next Generation. No. 21. Imagine Media. September 1996. p. 38.
  15. ^ McFerran, Damien (16 February 2023). "Best Ridge Racer Games - Every Ridge Racer, Ranked". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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