Ridge Racer 64

Namco was already famous for its arcade racing series Ridge Racer on the PlayStation, but in 2000 a peculiar offshoot arrived on the Nintendo 64 — Ridge Racer 64, developed with Nintendo's involvement specifically for this console. It wasn't a mere port; the game combined tracks and driving feel from previous entries and tuned them for the N64's capabilities.

At the heart of the experience is pure arcade drift. Forget realistic simulation — here you enter corners in a slide, the driven wheels spin, and smooth, brisk driving rewards both boldness and precision. The game offered a decent selection of tracks, cars, and game modes, including the ability to win new cars, so it found something to offer both newcomers and series fans craving a drift on Nintendo's console.

For retro gamers, Ridge Racer 64 is a pleasant secret of an N64 library that wasn't exactly rich in classic arcade racing. Anyone who loves slides, bright colors, and uncomplicated joy of speed will find an honest helping of fun here that beautifully complements the platform's more famous racing names.