Ridge Racer
Ridge Racer is a 1993 racing game developed by Namco, an arcade title that became a showcase for smooth, texture-mapped 3D racing on the company's System 22 hardware. It offered fast, arcade-style driving through a stylized cityscape and coastal roads with an emphasis on flair over realism.
The game's defining trait was its exaggerated power-slide handling, which let players fling cars sideways through corners in long, controllable drifts, a mechanic that became the series' signature. A pumping techno soundtrack and slick visuals made it a sensation, and its 1994 home conversion became a flagship launch title that helped demonstrate the power of new 32-bit hardware, famously packing a hidden playable Galaxian mini-game during loading.
Ridge Racer launched a long-running franchise synonymous with arcade drifting, and its early entries can be revisited through retro collections and digital re-releases for those seeking pure arcade thrills.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Ridge Racer, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Chase 2 Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| inertial drift Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Super Woden GP 2 Indie | € 12,95 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Linux, Switch |
| CarX Drift Racing Online | € 14,79 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
Horizon Chase 2 Indie
€ 19,99A modern arcade racer chasing the same fast, colourful spirit.
Horizon Chase 2 runs on PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
inertial drift Indie
€ 19,99A twin-stick drifting racer with a stylish neon aesthetic.
inertial drift runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Super Woden GP 2 Indie
€ 12,95A top-down arcade racer with a career mode and deliberately old-fashioned handling.
Super Woden GP 2 runs on PC, Linux, Switch. Not available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
CarX Drift Racing Online
€ 14,79Drifting as the whole point, with a physics model built for holding long slides.
CarX Drift Racing Online runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
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