r:racing evolution

Namco revealed today an entirely new design for its once hugely popular Ridge Racer series. Coined R: Racing Evolution, the arcade racer features everything it hasn't in the past, from license cars to real world tracks and a series of racing types, from drag racing to rally.

Having reached its popular peak in tandem with Sega's Daytona USA series in the early 1990s, the sixth proper game in the series, R: Racing Evolution reverses the rather mundane reiteration of same courses, fantasy cars, and narrow driving styles, which eventually turned gamers with Ridge Racer 5. Due on PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox in Q4 2003, R: Racing Evolution features real-world licensed cars, 11 real tracks, and as many as eight different race styles, including circuit, drag, rally and more.

Enabling players delve into a more in-depth racing experience, "Racing Life" unveils a cinematic, story-driven mode in which two female racers duel for the winners' crown. Other racing modes feature Time Attack, Arcade, and VS. Also featured in R: Racing Evolution is What Namco is calling its "New Interactive Driver AI System," which creates a more realistic driving experience.