Customer Reviews

R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 - PlayStation PS1

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have several racing games, including the best of all racers, those on Dreamcast (F355, Test Drive: Le Mans, and Sega Rally 2). I also have the "licenses-galore" Gran Turismo 2 on PSX and Sega GT. Simply put, I have much more fun playing R4 than the "licenses-galore" simulation racers, and place R4 on the replayability level of Sega Rally 2 (my favorite of all).

R4 is an arcade racer, so people who prefer sim games (or who >>think<< they do) may not like it. However, as a car nut myself with all these racing games, sometimes having less realism and more fantastic cars is the best gaming medicine. R4 has much variety, creative fantasy cars, and an actual personality (its refreshing to drive a jet-powered racer; or how 'bout that winnable 1-speed 191-mph 3-ft econocar!).

R4 offers a story for each of four different race managers you can work with. Like the different storylines in a Street Fighter game, this adds a dose of personality, though you won't mistake these stories for award-winning novellas.

R4 is highly recommended to all. It can be "won" by those with lesser skill on the "easier" teams, but even seasoned racers such as myself get a challenge from at least 1 out of the 4 teams (the expert-level DRC-team Grand Prix). Also, note that one can finish a Grand Prix with a few 3rd or 2nd place finishes, but those who do this and think "I'm done" will never see the better cars in the game. And definitely not the Pac-Man car...

Buy and enjoy!

R4 is the pinnacle of the Ridge Racer series. Fantastic car design, great track layout, gorgeous graphics (yes, better than Gran Turismo) and great light sourcing combine to create one of the best racing experiences on any console.

While R4 doesn't have the depth of gameplay that Gran Turismo offers, it is much easier for beginnner's and novices to play than GT, and is enjoyable enough to keep hardcore gamers interested.

A must buy!

When racing games were dominated by 'real' simulation Gran Turismo, I just couldn't enjoy first two Gran Turismo games except the fact that I do get to drive my car. That chemistry wasn't just there. When I picked up this gem, I was immediately sucked into it. The graphic was BETTER than first two Gran Turismo games and not to mention its story line. It's simple story, but they have managed to present the 'simple' story with special cutscenes with jazzy music, and believe me, this combination really adds alot to this game.

This game does offer variety with two types of racing and four racing team. Not only each team offers various difficulty, but also it offers different storylines. I have especially enjoyed night setting race course, with music which it brings out the essence of each course to its max. May be something's wrong with me for I just couldn't enjoy 'awesome' Gran Turismo games (third installment was very enjoyable)..you might say.. but this game was MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE than Gran Turismo, Don't miss it!

This game is the the best type of racing game for Playstation!. The graphichs are the best! And if your the type that likes techno music, this game's for you! This game stands with Gran Tourismo and Need for Speed: High Stakes! Yeah, all the other Ridge Racers stunk, but this is a whole new animal!

Graphics: 8/10 - Ridge Racer Type 4 is plausible in this area. The car designs are fantastic and the roads are clear and well-crafted.

Sound: 9/10 - Fantastic! Not too much of this comes from the cars themselves, but the groovy soundtrack, great commentator and crashing sounds give this baby a boost!

Value: 7/10 - A fun car racing game that lasts a long time and challenges you to do better. But in this genre, we have seen games done better and you might want to go off and play them instead.

Overall: 8/10 - What can I say? I thought this was a blast. It was fun, energetic and speedy. A good instalment to the Ridge Racer series. The cars were brilliant and the Great Gran Prix is the best part. However, Ridge Racer Type 4 loses points because it is simply too much like Gran Turismo and you might tire of its same-old routine. Still lots of fun and recommended!

I purchased this game n summer 2000 and everyone n my family was awestruck by the game's intro video music,n-game music and graphics!The only flaw this game has lies n it's 2-player mode which has horrible draw back(can't barely make out the vehicles both players r using)!

And I say true Ridge Racer because I actually like Rage Racer slightly better than this. R4 is the first RR game to have analog support, but what really makes this game is the excellent track design. Unlike Rage Racer and Gran Turismo, you don't earn money to upgrade your cars, you just unlock cars. That's its only flaw in my book.

Those who are complaining about the quality of the graphics...drive faster.

If Gran Turismo had been an arcade game first, R4 might just be what it would have been. Ridge Racer Type 4 returns the series to its less-realistic roots after the uneven (but decent,) Rage Racer, but still adds enough new stuff to make it stick out in the post-Gran Turismo world of racing games. Why does it stick out? Because it remembers not to be TOO real. See, if I want a truly "real" driving experience, that's what the cars parked outside are for. R4 remembers to be fun first, real second...but it's a close second. The physics of the game are tight, and the graphics are about as good as PS1 gets. The premise of racing for a team is a good story point (a point that most racing games skip altogether,) and also gives you a weird sense of responsibility when you win or lose a race. The car selection is both a good thing and a bad thing. The variety is outstanding, with dozens and dozens of different customizable designs, including some really neat hidden stuff. Unfortunately, the Gran Turismo effect has to be addressed here, as none of the cars are based on actual models. You can tell what a few of them are based on, but after Test Drive and Gran Turismo spoiled us all with real cars from the real manufacturers, generic stuff knocks a star off of this one. But other than that, it's a true gamer's game, and is a worthy substitute for GT when you're tired of sweating over getting a license just to get anywhere in the game. Plus, it's now a "Greatest Hits" title, and the price is very, very nice if you're not moving up from your PS1 for a while. A keeper.

Impressive. That's a good adjective for this game, I believe. Ridge Racer Type 4 exhibits some really awesome graphics and wonderfully designed tracks. Unlike many racers I've played, Ridge Racer also has a really unique gameplay style to it. In order to succeed, you really must master the art of intentionally "fishtailing" your vehicle to get around the sharp curves. There is a lot of technique and finesse to be had here.

Did I mention the fantastic graphics? Not even the venerable Gran Turismo compares in the graphics department. The tracks are also designed to minimize the draw in effects off in the distance. As I played through this game, one thought prevailed in my mind. These programmers and game designers knew what they were doing, and they showcased their talents in this amazing game. If you must own one racing game for the PSX, make it Ridge Racer Type 4!

Three Words: This Game Rocks! The graphics are ten times better than Gran Turismo 1&2. The controls are smoother than GT, and the cars dont spin like in GT(in GT the cars are made to be realistic, which includes spinning out of control). R4 is the funnest racing game ever. The tracks are awesome, the cars ar fantastic, and overall it's just great. This game is worth it, you'll like it better than GT.