Done with your impression of the iconic announcer?
Then let’s begin. In graphics, audio and controls,
Ridge Racer arguably surpassed every other racing
game of its time. Its use of three-dimensional
polygons was unique. More importantly, it was
a total rush to play – solid drifting
mechanics meant even corners were a
full-throttle affair.RIDGE RACER 1995
Originally a company running
children’s rides on a department store
roof in Yokohama, Namco underwent
almost constant metamorphosis to
become one of the most prolific and
influential videogame studios of our
time. Founded by the indefatigably
forward-thinking Masaya Nakamura,
it was the birthplace of cultural icon
and pizza lookalike Pac-Man, who
first wacca’d out of the gate in 1980.
Later, it worked with Nintendo (where
by the end of the eighties its games
accounted for 40% of all NES sales), and
afterwards, Sega.
It was the Sony PlayStation, however,
where Namco shone. The company
used the system’s unprecedented
power to deliver high-quality ports of
smash-hit arcade titles like Ridge Racer,leaving gamers utterly gobsmacked the
world over. Stunning visuals, a varied
catalogue of games, innovative new
mechanics: these were the hallmarks of
the Namco and PlayStation partnership.
Namco invested in the kind of talent
that would stick around for generations
to come (Tekken creator Katsuhiro
Harada springs to mind). Many of its
best videogames were PlayStation
exclusive. You wanted the Ace Combat
or Soul series? You’d have to say a big,
wallet-mandated hello to Sony’s grey
good-time console. Together, Namco
and PS1 pushed each other (and games
as a whole) to new heights, creating
legendary games that still hold up,
and franchises that continue on to this
today, over a decade on from Namco’s
merger with toy giants Bandai.Classic Developer Thanks to quality Namco titles
like Ridge Racer, PS1 impressed right out the gate
Founded 1955
Headquarters To k yo, Ja p a n
Years active 1978-current
Lead platform PlayStation