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Yes, you read correctly — Ridge Racer friggin’ 6. I’m sure most would say Burnout, Forza, or Project Gotham but this out-of-print, out-of-stock racer is the cat’s pajamas. You best believe it. It’s my go-to game whenever I’m bored, had a few drinks, or just want to get a dose of nostalgia.
This arcade racing game is so easy to play yet incredibly difficult to master; a characteristic of any true great game. Racing down an airport runway or coastal highway at breakneck speeds gets my heart pumping and blood flowing like no other. But don’t even think about touching that break when a corner comes up. Just give the gas a few taps and you’ll be powersliding around that corner so naturally people would swear you came out of your mother’s womb the exact same way.
Complimenting the great feel of arcade racing is the sounds of a great arcade soundtrack. They simply do not make game music like this anymore. It’s very Japanese and you’ll even recognize samples from other great Namco classics such as Pac-Man and Galaga.
The online community is very tiny but it consists of only the most dedicated. If you decide to hop online you better bring you “A” game… or more like “AAA” game, because you will be in last place every time; no doubt about it.