Ridge Racer V

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Oct 25, 2000
Ridge Racer V Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

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  • Summary: The asphalt of Ridge City is once again thundering with high-speed action and palm-sweating competition. The checkered flag is flying and so are the cars. Amazingly detailed visuals, from the glowing of heated brake pads tot he smoldering of tires in a power-slide, will have you captivatedThe asphalt of Ridge City is once again thundering with high-speed action and palm-sweating competition. The checkered flag is flying and so are the cars. Amazingly detailed visuals, from the glowing of heated brake pads tot he smoldering of tires in a power-slide, will have you captivated as the battle for supremacy races on. It's all about speed, power, and control. With Ridge Racer V, your search for unforgiving racing intensity is over.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Hot Games
    90
    While it's not going to set anybody's house on fire, it's a title with broad appeal that's as worthy of being a top launch title for the system, as the original Ridge Racer was.
  2. Daily Radar
    88
    If you're after a simulation and you like collecting and upgrading your cars, you might want to wait for "GT 3," but if you're after an adrenaline fix and a fun racing game, then look no further.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Gaming Age
    83
    The graphics are great, the music is awesome, and the control I surprisingly found, not as annoying as the previous RR titles.
  4. Antagonist
    76
    I would have liked to have seem damaged panels and broken glass everywhere after you rammed your opponent; no such luck, however.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Games Radar
    75
    For fast, mental-as-anything racing goes, you're better off with a copy of "SSX" and a few mates. Roll on Ridge VI...
    All this publication's reviews
  6. PSX Nation
    70
    Innovation is a word not in the minds of Namco developers, since they're too busy keeping the races fast, competitive and fun for gamers of all age.
  7. Spank!
    50
    The PS2 marketing machine has done it's job. Now Sony have to back it up with quality software, not limp, glitchy sequels like this.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Wimpher
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    Unburied my PS2 and have it connected to my 43" 4K LGTV with component cables and let me tell you. I don't care what anyone else thinks butUnburied my PS2 and have it connected to my 43" 4K LGTV with component cables and let me tell you. I don't care what anyone else thinks but this is still the greatest arcade racer I have ever played which makes it also the best darn Ridge Racer you can get! This game still looks and plays better than I ever remembered from back when I first got the PS2 on launch.

    This game has style. Atmosphere. Graphics. 60 fps. Sound and music all top notch! Where to even begin? The best game up to this point was RR4, no doubt about it and this game just edges it out due to its sheer focused gameplay like someone else here had mentioned already in the reviews. This game just takes away the stuff that I felt wasn't necessary in RR4 (like the story segments) and just completely, heavily emphasizes the very immersive arcade driving. I cannot begin to even describe just how awesome this game feels at its blistering 60fps while looking as good as it does. You just don't have games being made like this especially on launch. This was state of the art at the time and yet a very under rated game (as this franchise has always been.)

    Honestly? The only thing I can understand anyone even remotely complaining about are course variety. Namco chose to go back to its original roots and have all the courses take place in one city. So yeah, there's not much to go by if ya want more variety in scenery. But the fact remains, these are brilliantly constructed and executed courses with a lot of thought put into it. I love how it's all designed and it just works. You see areas in the course that were previously closed off but now are opened through for another section to race on - and I just love it because this city is just so damn cool to drive in.

    Here we are, 2020, and I'm writing a review for a game released in 2000. It just goes to show you the impact this one had on me. Even to this day, there is no experience that is on this level. On the surface, you may feel like you're not getting much for your buck but when you actually pay close attention to the details and how well everything is executed here, you'll quickly realize they just don't make them like they used to. This is absolute quality on the finest level and I embrace its simplicity because of the way this game sucks you in and never lets go.

    I had to come back to this one simply because it's in my opinion, the DEFINITIVE Ridge Racer experience and no boosts or anything like that that take away from the "core" driving. The racing games made today just simply do not hold a candle to this right here and I played them all - Gran Turismo, DriveClub, Need for Speed....they all just fail to deliver that amazing, classic "Ridge Racer" feel. I always say to this to people....this game has a feeling unique to its own. Nothing else on the market feels like it and nothing ever will due to Namco giving up on this series. Ridge Racer 7 is great (but feels too "glidey" like "flying") but when it comes down to it, RRV is where it's at. Namco truly cared when developing this game.    … Expand
  2. BenG.
    Mar 26, 2007
    10
    This game is such class. It's just one of the most focused and atmospheric arcade racers I've ever played.
  4. Good-Smurf
    Feb 12, 2012
    8
    This game has alot of potential to top RR Type4,well it always have since it's a Ridge Racer game but it turned out to be that it stallThis game has alot of potential to top RR Type4,well it always have since it's a Ridge Racer game but it turned out to be that it stall halfway through the race.
    A launch game of Playstation 2 back in 2000 and It such a gorgeous looking game really outdid in terms of graphics that the developers said "We can't do that with PS1" but now it's possible on PS2.
    At least Namco didn't show a fake Graphics Demo back in 99' because they somehow make it look
    even better than the demo itself!
    Menu and styling are so techno-ish and somewhat futuristic but handling is what makes this game failed it so unbalanced and twitchy that even for Ridge Racer standard it's hard to believe a car can
    handles so terrifyingly twitchy.
    Music so generic and it didn't fitted in any stage or event that you've played.
    I like that they took this game so serious that it should've been better than RR type 4 but music and
    handling of the car are so terrible that it completely ruins the game.
    Other areas like styling.graphics and gameplay are all top notch.
    Did i say that it runs at 60FPS with such a beautiful graphics!?
    No racing games on PS2 looked that good until Gran Turismo 3 came along in 2001 and it sets the
    new standard of what this weak but efficient console can do for the next 10 years.    … Expand
  5. J.W.
    Oct 25, 2004
    7
    A good game but not as good as it could have been.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best PS2 Game of 2000
20
#20 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2000
9
#9 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2000