{{Short description|2011 video game}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox video game | title = Ridge Racer 3D | image = Ridge Racer 3D Cover Art.png | developer = Namco Bandai Games | publisher = Namco Bandai Games{{Efn|Released under the Namco label}} | series = ''Ridge Racer'' | platforms = Nintendo 3DS | released = {{vgrelease|JP|26 February 2011|EU|25 March 2011|NA|27 March 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/lUXkvuG4gkHJEam-ulXKglkF3AI5saK2 |title=RIDGE RACER 3D for Nintendo 3DS |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=2011-03-06 |archive-date=2019-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404072652/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/lUXkvuG4gkHJEam-ulXKglkF3AI5saK2 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|AU|31 March 2011}} | genre = Racing | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | designer = {{ubl|Masamichi Yamazaki|Hiroshi Miyagawa|Chika Mizushima}} | composer = {{ubl|Hiroshi Okubo|Taku Inoue|Shinji Hosoe|Rio Hamamoto|Ayako Saso}} }} {{nihongo foot|'''''Ridge Racer 3D'''''|リッジレーサー3D|Rijji Rẽsā Surī Dī|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2011 racing video game developed and published by Namco Bandai Games for the Nintendo 3DS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/23374/ridge-racer-3d-nintendo-3ds |title=Ridge Racer 3D (Hands-on Preview) |publisher=Nintendo World Report |author=James Jones |date=16 June 2010 |accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref> It is the first ''Ridge Racer'' series title on a Nintendo platform since ''Ridge Racer DS'' (2004) and as usual for the series revolves around cars racing around high speed tracks while drifting. The game received positive reviews and was a commercial success.
==Gameplay== left|thumb|Gameplay screenshot The game introduces a Drift button, specially designed for beginners to the ''Ridge Racer'' series and allows them to drift easily using one button press.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2011-01-19 |title=Namco Bandai Games Announces Ridge Racer 3D for Nintendo 3DS |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/19/namco-bandai-games-announces-ridge-racer-3d-for-nintendo-3ds |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
There are two main gameplay types: Single Player and Versus. Versus is a multi-player mode which allows the ability to play against other players via a wireless connection in Standard Race, One-Make Race and Team Battle by either hosting or joining a race using Nintendo 3DS local play.
Other minor gameplay types include: Records (allowing the player to view their records achieved in Single Player and check local rankings based on records acquired from friends or via StreetPass), AV player (allowing to watch replays of past races while listening to music of choice), Options, and Garage (allowing to view and modify cars the player has acquired).
There are several single player game modes: *'''Grand Prix''': Competing in a series of races in order to win new cars and nitrous kits or to make them available for purchase. *'''Quick Tour''': Playing in a series of races automatically generated from the player's preferences: *'''Play Time''': Time limit of 3 to 30 mins, multiplied by 3 mins. *'''Course Type''': Recommended, Drift or High Speed. *'''Race Category''': Choosing from four different categories to race on. *'''Standard Race''': Selecting a car and track in order to race against 7 opponents. *'''One-Make Race''': Selecting a track and race against 7 opponents all using the same machine. *'''Time Attack''': Racing around a track as fast as possible for 3 laps in order to achieve the fastest time or beat a ghost. *'''StreetPass Duel''': Racing against the ghosts of other players acquired via StreetPass.
== Development and release == Namco Bandai had announced the creation of a ''Ridge Racer'' for Nintendo's upcoming system at E3 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-16 |title=E3 2010: Namco Bandai Games Announces its Initial 3DS Line-Up |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/06/e3_2010_namco_bandai_games_announces_its_initial_3ds_line_up |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> The game was designed to take advantage of the device screen's 3D stereo view.<ref name=":0" />
The game was released in Japan as a launch title on 26 February 2011<ref>{{cite web |author=Tom Bramwell |date=10 January 2011 |title=Nintendo 3DS Japanese launch line-up |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-10-nintendo-3ds-japanese-launch-line-up |accessdate=10 January 2011 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> and in North America on 22 March, five days prior to the launch of the Nintendo 3DS itself in that region. ''Ridge Racer 3D'' was also released in Europe on 25 March and in Australia on 31 March.
== Soundtrack == The background music was produced by Namco Bandai's NBGI unit, including Rio Hamamoto, Taku Inoue, Hiroshi Okubo, Akihiko Ishikawa, and Ryo Watanabe. The opening theme (Do You Wanna Ride?) and closing theme (Tonight) vocals and spoken words by Sky Hy and Heather Jonson, from King Street Sounds. The soundtrack album was released on CD on 9 May 2011 by the SuperSweep label.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SRIN-1084 {{!}} RIDGE RACER 3D direct audio - VGMdb |url=https://vgmdb.net/album/25124 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=vgmdb.net |language=en}}</ref>
==Reception==
=== Commercial === ''Ridge Racer 3D'' was commercially successful. During its first week, it sold over 34,000 copies. In total, the game sold over 116,000 copies, 20,000 more than its portable predecessor ''Ridge Racer 2''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Game Search (based on Famitsu data) |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |website=Game Data Library |accessdate=16 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424035430/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |archivedate=24 April 2019 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref>
=== Critical === {{Video game reviews | MC = 75/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ridge-racer-3d/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Ridge Racer 3D for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326155158/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/ridge-racer-3d/critic-reviews |archivedate=26 March 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> | Destruct = 7.5/10<ref name="Destructoid">{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-ridge-racer-3d-198037.phtml |title=Review: Ridge Racer 3D |website=Destructoid |author=Jim Sterling |date=4 April 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429212338/https://www.destructoid.com/review-ridge-racer-3d-198037.phtml |archivedate=29 April 2019}}</ref> | Edge = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Ridge Racer 3D |magazine=Edge |author=Edge staff |issue=227 |date=May 2011 |page=104}}</ref> | EuroG = 8/10<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-01-ridge-racer-3d-review |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006170450/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-01-ridge-racer-3d-review |archivedate=6 October 2019 |title=Ridge Racer 3D |website=Eurogamer |author=Tom Bramwell |date=1 March 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref> | Fam = 32/40<ref name="Famitsu">{{cite web |url=http://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-first-round-of-3ds-scores-arrive/ |title=Famitsu review scores - First round of 3DS scores arrive |publisher=Nintendo Everything |author=Brian |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref> | GI = 7.25/10<ref name="GInformer">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/ridge_racer_-_3ds/b/3ds/archive/2011/03/25/ridge-racer-3d-review.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829074951/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/ridge_racer_-_3ds/b/3ds/archive/2011/03/25/ridge-racer-3d-review.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |title=Ridge Racer - 3DS [sic]: A New Perspective Meets A Generations-Old Formula |magazine=Game Informer |author=Dan Ryckert |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=9 April 2017}}</ref> | GamePro = 4/5<ref name="GPro">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218684/review-ridge-racer-3d/ |title=Review: Ridge Racer 3D |magazine=GamePro |author=Miguel Concepcion |date=30 March 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402232716/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218684/review-ridge-racer-3d/ |archivedate=2 April 2011 |url-status=dead |accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref> | GameRev = B<ref name="GRev">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ridge-racer-3d-3ds |title=Ridge Racer 3D Review |publisher=Game Revolution |author=Jesse Costantino |date=27 March 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527102025/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/50864-ridge-racer-3d-3ds-review |archivedate=27 May 2019}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ridge-racer-3d-review/1900-6306991/ |title=Ridge Racer 3D Review |website=GameSpot |author=Mark Walton |date=4 April 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526015537/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ridge-racer-3d-review/1900-6306991/ |archivedate=26 May 2019}}</ref> | GameZone = 8/10<ref name="GZone">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/ridge_racer_3d |title=Ridge Racer 3D review |publisher=GameZone |author=Mike Splechta |date=29 March 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526015608/https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/ridge_racer_3d/ |archivedate=26 May 2019}}</ref> | IGN = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/23/ridge-racer-3d-review |title=Ridge Racer 3D Review |website=IGN |author=Martin Robinson |date=22 March 2011 |accessdate=8 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526015547/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/23/ridge-racer-3d-review |archivedate=26 May 2019}}</ref> | Joystiq = 4.5/5<ref name="Joystiq">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/03/25/ridge-racer-3d-review/ |title=Ridge Racer 3D review: Classic car, new finish |publisher=Joystiq |author=Randy Nelson |date=25 March 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529124954/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/ridge-racer-3d-review/ |archivedate=29 May 2011}}</ref> | NP = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Ridge Racer 3D |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=266 |date=April 2011 |page=78}}</ref> | NWR = 8.5/10<ref name="NWR">{{cite web |last1=Ronaghan |first1=Neal |title=Ridge Racer 3D - Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/25856/ridge-racer-3d-nintendo-3ds |website=Nintendo World Report |accessdate=24 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429212336/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/25856/ridge-racer-3d-nintendo-3ds |archivedate=29 April 2019 |date=25 March 2011}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Nintendojo'' | rev1Score = B+<ref name="Nintendojo">{{cite web |last1=Hoover |first1=Any |title=Ridge Racer 3D Review |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/ridge-racer-3d-review |website=Nintendojo |accessdate=24 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006170447/http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/ridge-racer-3d-review |archivedate=6 October 2019 |date=4 May 2011}}</ref> }} According to the review aggregator website Metacritic, the game received "generally favorable reviews" with a score of 75/100.<ref name="MC" />
Critics agreed that ''3D'' was one of the best launch titles for the console, and showed the system's potential. ''IGN'' said that it made for a great launch title for the 3DS, while ''Joystiq'' claimed it was one of the best games available for the console. ''Eurogamer'''s review criticized the game for lacking new courses but praised it overall as "a Ridge Racer experience that could be unlike any other" by virtue of its 3D visuals.<ref name="EuroG"/> ''Nintendo World Report'' claimed it was one of the most impressive launch titles available,<ref name="NWR"/> as did ''Destructoid''.<ref name="Destructoid"/> Multiple reviewers compared the game to the other 3DS racing game launch title ''Asphalt 3D'', all of whom said that ''Ridge Racer 3D''{{'}}s quality and polish made it a far superior product.<ref name="Destructoid"/>
The gameplay of ''3D'' was well received. Many publications said that the game still kept the core ''Ridge Racer'' mechanics intact, such as drifting, and retained what they felt made the franchise fun.<ref name="Nintendojo"/><ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="Destructoid"/> ''Nintendojo'' said it set the standard for racing games on the 3DS.<ref name="Nintendojo"/> ''Nintendo World Report'' described it as "a rather excellent mix of arcade and sim racing", liking its simplistic, easy-to-grasp controls.<ref name="NWR"/> Critics also commended the game for its 3D display, which they claimed made it a technologically impressive title for the console.<ref name="Destructoid"/> ''Nintendojo'' stated that the 3D effect made the game stand out, and was the definitive way to play it.<ref name="Nintendojo"/> ''Eurogamer'' and ''IGN'' agreed, with ''Eurogamer'' stating it made for the best portable iteration of the ''Ridge Racer'' series.<ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="IGN"/>
Critics applauded the game's presentation and amount of content.<ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="IGN"/><ref name="Destructoid"/> ''Game Informer'' complemented the amount of gameplay modes for providing additional replay value, as did ''Nintendojo''. ''GamePro'' and ''GameSpot'' both commented on its wide selection of vehicles and courses.<ref name="GPro"/> ''GameSpot'' also liked the courses themselves for being fun to race in. The controls were also praised by several for being responsive, with ''Nintendo World Report'' saying the game works "surprisingly well" with the system's Circle Pad.<ref name="NWR"/> ''IGN'' applauded the game's early usage of the StreetPass function through its use of leaderboards and multiplayer ghosts.<ref name="IGN"/> ''Destructoid'' called the game as solid, if not outstanding.<ref name="Destructoid"/> ''3D'' was also praised for its energetic soundtrack,<ref name="GPro"/><ref name="IGN"/><ref name="Destructoid"/><ref name="Nintendojo"/><ref name="EuroG"/> large sense of speed,<ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="GPro"/><ref name="IGN"/> and consistent framerate.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="GPro"/>
The lack of an online multiplayer mode was met with criticism.<ref name="GRev"/><ref name="NWR"/><ref name="EuroG"/> ''Nintendo World Report'' said that it was one of the game's weakest points,<ref name="NWR"/> while ''IGN'' stated it was a severely missed opportunity.<ref name="IGN"/> ''Eurogamer'' found the tracks to feel like rehashes of earlier ''Ridge Racer'' games,<ref name="EuroG"/> and ''Joystiq'' claimed that the lack of an online mode might put off some players. While several criticized the graphics for being fuzzy and unimpressive,<ref name="NWR"/><ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="GRev"/> with ''GamePro'' saying they were inferior to the ''Ridge Racer'' games for the PlayStation Portable,<ref name="GPro"/> ''Destructoid'' disagreed, writing that they were bright and colorful.<ref name="Destructoid"/> Most critics claimed that ''3D''{{'}}s gameplay, while a lot of fun, did not add much to the core gameplay of the series compared to its predecessors.<ref name="Destructoid"/><ref name="GPro"/><ref name="EuroG"/><ref name="GRev"/> ''Eurogamer'' argued that the game was lacking in the way of new content, instead borrowing many elements from its console predecessor ''Ridge Racer 7''.<ref name="EuroG"/> ''Nintendojo'' found the in-game announcer annoying to listen to, suggesting players to turn it off as soon as they begin the game.<ref name="Nintendojo"/>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://rr3d.namco-ch.net/}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{Ridge Racer series}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ridge Race 3d}} Category:2011 video games Category:Bandai Namco games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Multiplayer online games Category:Nintendo 3DS-only games Category:Nintendo 3DS games Category:Racing video games Category:Ridge Racer Category:Video games developed in Japan