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Ridge Racer & Exit sequels bound for PSP, reports Famitsu
Famitsu reports that Namco Bandai is developing a Ridge Racer sequel for PSP. Ridge Racers 2 (Japanese title) will feature 18 courses from previous games -- ranging from Ridge Racer to R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 -- and will come packed with six car classes. Unfortunately, the multiplayer will remain 8-player ad-hoc. Ridge Racers 2 is scheduled for a September release in Japan.A sequel to Exit, Taito's throwback action-puzzler, is also in the works. Kangaeru Exit (Japanese title) will include 110 new levels, plus bonus downloadable stages, and will reportedly downplay action elements, focusing more on puzzle solving. Of course, what made the action fall flat in the original Exit was unresponsive controls -- let's hope the team attends to this issue as well. Like Ridge Racers 2, Kangaeru Exit is on track for a September release in Japan.
The juicy Ridge Racer 7 trailer
We know how much you love actual game coverage, even if its a hit-and-run quickie. But all jokes aside (Riiidge Raaacer!) here's a short but sweet teaser of the 7th installment to the franchise.There's no official word yet on a release date, but the racing series has always accompanied a PlayStation launch since 1994. Given the history, it wouldn't be a surprise to see this on shelves come November. When I said this was short, I wasn't kidding: it only clocks in at a little over a minute.
Ridge Racer 7 for PS3 announced
Namco Bandai has announced that Ridge Racer 7 is in development for the PlayStation 3, and the game will be making an appearance in some form at E3 next month. That means more Reiko Nagase booth babes! It could also mean a potential spot for RR7 in the PS3's November launch lineup, although no firm release date has been set. Series vets Hideo Teramoto and Masaya Koyabashi are in charge of the project, and the newest Racer is expected to support 14-player online racing.While last year's Ridge Racer PSP received strong scores, the most recent console offerings for PS2 (RR5) and Xbox 360 (RR6) haven't fared so well. Ditto for the DS version. The PS3 will be the franchise's seventh different platform in as many years.
PlayStation 3 spring launch is "impossible"
Namco Bandai president Takeo Takasu has gone public with his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the PS3's launch date. Takasu told Bloomberg, "Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible." In response, Sony issued a vague rebuttal, stating, "Nothing has changed with our plans."But if Namco Bandai, a company that helped boost the PlayStation brand in the past, is still in the dark, then it's safe to assume (as recent certification setbacks have implied) that the PS3 will not launch in Japan within the next few months. But Takasu isn't necessarily concerned, just as long as Sony's next-gen console hits retail by the winter shopping holiday season.[Thanks, The1 & gaminghobo]
