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Nearly every genre is representing on Xbox 360™ this holiday season, and in some cases gamers will have multiple selections to choose from. Ridge Racer™ 6, the newest arcade racing offering from Japanese publisher Namco, is burning its fast and furious tread marks onto high-definition televisions everywhere on November 22. Rather than take the same route of other titles like Project Gotham Racing® 3, Ridge Racer 6 is all about high-speed style and powerslides.

We took a near-complete build of the game for a spin around Xbox® HQ. Read on to learn more about this adrenaline-soaked launch day game.

Hot Streak
After enjoying a brief reunion during the loading screen with everyone's favorite ghost hunter, Pac Man, we took a look at Ridge Racer's unique hexagonal route creator. In it, you can string together legs of a race by selecting "pods" and linking them to adjacent race events.

... the series is known for taking gamers
on a wild ride...

There are numerous unlockables scattered throughout the map; to free them you must encircle the icon of your choosing by plotting your course around it. Once you successfully complete your hand-crafted challenge, you'll earn the item you captured inside your hexagon ring.

After plotting out a course, it's time to hit the track and flex your driving muscles. There are over 130 cars to choose from (though some will be off-limits until you've proven yourself on the road). Each automobile performs differently under various conditions, so the incentive is there to try out as many as you can during your career.

Burnout
Seconds after the start of our first race, we were hitting triple-digit speeds in mere seconds. The landscape blurred in our periphery as we whipped by landmarks, cruised over bridges, and streaked past numerous opponents. We exercised our initial powerslide at the first bend, and as expected the car skidded sideways into the turn. Before we slammed into the wall on the opposite side of the track we counter-steered and regained control.

Exciting moments like this are commonplace in Ridge Racer 6 as the series is known for taking gamers on a wild ride through a variety of beautiful environments. Though the core gameplay mechanics of the series are represented in full form, they look markedly better in high-definition widescreen. We had a tough time keeping our eyes on the road on more than one occasion—the countryside looked that good.

Also included in your arsenal are nitrous boosts that temporarily cause you to rocket ahead at dizzying speeds. Knowing when to use them (and how to recharge them) is all part of the strategy of winning races.

Plenty of Room
While there is no shortage of great racing to be had on Xbox 360, Ridge Racer 6 makes its case by taking the road less traveled. It's not a simulation, nor is it a nod to gearheads or customizers. Instead it fills the vacancy of good ol' fashioned arcade action—something us older folk have been missing since the days of Outrun and Pole Position.

Keep your eyes peeled for Ridge Racer 6 when it launches in tandem with Xbox 360.

Article by Franklin Beans

• Namco