Before the proper action starts, players may enjoy a game of Rally X where a car runs into flags to collect them while avoiding a rampaging racer. Once in RR2, the first track is called "Seaside Route 765" which is a perfect course to practice drift mechanics and get a feel for the game. The action is smooth with responsive controls and a jive talking announcer who states the obvious when certain events are achieved. There's a point in the Seaside track where a plane passes directly overhead and the whine of the jet engine sounds exactly like the planes that pass over us when we're approaching JFK airport in NYC. Nice.

Ridge Racers 2 features 62 cars, tune-ups, 42 courses, and new modes in ARCADE, DUEL, and SURVIVAL. Up to 8 players may link up in wireless mode for racing tourneys where drift kings and conventional racers battle for top rank. To provide audio pleasure, 42 songs are featured in the game for a variety of driving music - 12 of the songs are new. To please the Furious crowd, nitro boosters (tap the R-trigger) may be used to rocket a vehicle up to 200km/h in an instant.

Some early preorders will include a bonus Ridge Racers 2 Special Megamix CD which contains thumping tracks from the game. Sadly, we only received a 1:8 ratio of bonus to game.

Game Modes are as follows
World Tours
Arcade
Duel
Survival
Time Attack
Wireless Battle
Save/Load
Options

Default Controls
L-Trigger.....Change View
R-Trigger.....Nitro
SQUARE.......Brake
TRIANGLE....Shift Up
CIRCLE........Shift Down
X-BUTTON....Acceleration

Either the D-Pad or Analog nub may be used to control the vehicle.

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.