Skid Road

Strap on your seatbelt and prepare to watch your world transform into one gigantic, beautiful blur. Ridge Racer 6™ cranks up the speed, heightens the visual quality, and brings spastic four-wheeled showdowns screeching right onto Xbox 360™.

Proving not all showroom models are created equal, the arcade-style simulation is complete with a boatload of cool options, inventive game modes, and one-of-a-kind features that make it a true pleasure to play. Which, of course, is the highlight—you don't even have to be an auto junkie to appreciate the experience. Anyone can jump right in thanks to sweet touches like these:

Xploring the Ridge Universe.

World Xplorer
The action takes place in a fictional realm called X, and is set specifically within the Ridge Universe. World Xplorer, which takes the place of a solo career mode, is essentially a single-player game variant that lets you explore this galaxy.

• Map quest: Before hitting the track, you find yourself staring at a world map divided into zones which contain icons representing various races. Each signifies a different event type, such as four-machine races or one-on-one duels. To attempt a race, simply select it with the A button, or create your own route through the solar system by choosing several. Finish more events successfully to unlock additional courses and cars.

Unfortunately, after playing, your family
Taurus won't look so attractive any more …

• Changing lanes: Naturally, multiple types of challenges are offered throughout your adventure. Normal races feature 10 or more vehicles competing to clock in the fastest time during a three-lap event. No-nitrous races are exactly what they sound like—they operate just like normal races, but drivers don't have access to turbo boosts. Reverse charge races mix things up even further, letting you only recharge your nitrous gauge by attempting nitrous-enhanced drifts. The deeper you progress into the game, the greater the variation you encounter from each subsequent race. Thankfully, challenging as they are, you can attempt every contest as many times as you like.
• Specs symbols: Watch for special icons that appear as you move across the map. Tips icons provide you with helpful hints. Prize icons signify that you get a prize for completing specific challenges. (To claim them, either win single races or—if the prize icon appears in an area surrounded by multiple races—complete all surrounding events.) Unlocked prize icons will prove your favorite, though—simply move the cursor over them to see what you've won.

He's on fire!

Hot Wheels
Count 'em—Ridge Racer 6 features over 130 new vehicles known as machines, including 8 special models. Every car, whether you're in a Bakutotsu Abeille or Phelious Prophetie (just a couple examples of the fictional roadsters found here) carries itself differently. The best part of all though, is how smoothly all handle and how gorgeous they look soaring through each course. Unfortunately, after playing, your family Taurus won't look so attractive any more …

Bursting with Excitement
Continuing to innovate upon a winning formula, the team at Namco has given the series' nitrous system an overhaul. Now you can activate not one, but two or even three turbo boosts in rapid succession. Feeding off each other, each successive burst of speed adds more power and momentum to your charge, letting you achieve previously unheard of velocities and complete races in record time. Running low on juice? Refill your nitrous supplies by drifting around corners. It's a surefire recipe for entertainment.

Show friends what you're made of.

Head-to-Shred
Xbox Live® is one of the new console's best features, and Ridge Racer 6 predictably makes the most of it. Now you can enjoy a little mano-a-mano action or just upload record-breaking performances for the world to see. However you slice it, you're not the only high-octane predator out there cruising the streets anymore.

• Global time attack: It's just you out there on the track, racing to see how quickly you can complete a few laps. After the race completes, your fastest time is uploaded to Xbox Live, letting you see where you stand compared with other players on the global rankings. Anyone can view these rankings and check out the gamer card of the player who holds them.
• Ghosts with the most: Your top track performances are also saved as ghosts. These phantom cars provide a visual reference as to how you handled every curve and corner. Improve lap times by competing against your ghost, or download other players' ghost data to see how you'd fare against a real-world rival.
• Online battle: A head-to-head racing option that allows gamers to connect and compete. You can participate in casual races where you customize rules and vehicle parameters, or tackle more serious showdowns that will affect your world ranking. Host or join races freely; syncing up with friends is a cinch.
• Shopping center: Support for Xbox Live Marketplace is also integrated. Want to extend the game's replay value? Merely grab new content for it on demand.

The best new feature of all, though? Try not to laugh: I wouldn't be surprised if you decide it's your ability to play the classic arcade game Pac-Man before hitting the main menu. Now get out there and give 'em hell!

Article by Steve Richter