Ridge Racer 3D

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Racer focuses on driving rather than crashes or weapons.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Ridge Racer 3D is a wholesome, skill-based racing game in which players get to drive on colorful and visually stunning race tracks. Despite a flashy, high-energy appearance, the content is family friendly and easily approachable. There's no storyline, and players are unable to attack other competitors. Instead, this game is exclusively about the thrill of racing. With the added 3D effects, it is one of the most realistic racing titles for a handheld. Note that this game supports the 3DS StreetPass wireless communication feature, but that personal information is not exchanged. Parents need to remember that Nintendo is warning parents not to allow
kids age six and under to view the graphics in 3D because that viewing
"may cause vision damage." The Nintendo 3DS offers parents the ability
to lock out the use of 3D graphics in the system's Parental Controls.

  • Unlike some racing games, this fast-paced, energetic title does not encourage players to attack other drivers. Instead, the only way to win is to navigate the tracks better and more cleverly than everyone else. The only power-ups in the game are speed boosts.
  • While there are no real heroes or role models to speak of, it's noteworthy that all drivers in this game play by the rules. There are no weapons or attack mechanisms in the game, leaving it as a pure competition of skill.
  • The controls in this title are fairly standard for a racing game. Players use the circle pad to steer, while the buttons on the right of the device handle acceleration, braking, and speed boosts. And as in most games in this genre, some racing circuits are more difficult to navigate than others. Additionally, the skill level of computer opponents increases as players progress through the game, but with free racing modes and the ability to play against friends, most anyone can pick up and play this game.
  • Cars smash into each other, but drivers don't get hurt.

What's it about?

RIDGE RACER 3D is a fine first racing title for Nintendo's 3DS system. The genre is perfectly suited for a 3D experience because being able to gauge depth is one of the cornerstones of racing. With Ridge Racer 3D, players can literally see how far ahead the next turn is and how close they are to their competitors. The game incorporates 3D effects very well, and reduces distraction by eliminating violent power-up attacks. There are a multitude of race tracks to choose from, ranging from the typical closed circuit courses to off-road environments. Players can also race against other 3DS owners if they are in the same room together, or they can download data from other racers via StreetPass and try to better their performance on their own time.


Is it any good?

 

Ridge Racer 3D is a great, solid title for any racing fan. The series has a long history dating back several years, but this is the first time it has been presented in 3D, making it a good addition to any gamer's library. The visuals are fantastic but do not push the envelope of the 3DS's capabilities, likely because it's a launch title and developers are still growing acquainted with the hardware and its capabilities. Nevertheless, it's proof that racing and 3D go well together.

Online interaction: This game uses the 3DS StreetPass feature to allow players to swap "ghost" data for specific races. No personal information is exchanged.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how this game presents a nice, clean version of car racing. How can you tell which racing games are appropriate for children?

  • Families can also discuss competition. In what ways can competition be good for children? Can it ever have a negative impact? How should you react when you don't win or get stuck in a game?


This review was written by Mark Raby
Kid, 6 years old
November 11, 2011
 
pla
tyreook7 hi cr2

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This review was written by Mark Raby
Platforms:Nintendo 3DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Racing
Developer:Namco Bandai
Release date:March 27, 2011
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:E for Mild Suggestive Themes

This review was written by Mark Raby

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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