Ridge Racer and Asphalt good enough for casual racers?

[Jasoco]

I'm not a huge racing fan, but I do enjoy a racing game when it doesn't incorporate too much confusing upgrading and such. For instance, I can totally get into Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (1 and 2), Beetle Adventure Racing, Top Gear Rally (N64 version. My favorite so far.), Cruisin' World/USA because I can pick them up and enjoy. Not too hard. Not too much to have to do in order to enjoy.

I'm curious as to whether anyone will think these two DS releases will be worth it for a casual racer like me. I also like it when there are cool cars in the games. Not cool as in hot, cool as in different. Like Beetles or Mini's or DeLoreans or cars that I would actually want to drive. I noticed in a screenshot at GameSpot that Asphalt has a Mini in it... I think it was a Mini. Whatever it was, it made me consider the game.

So, anyone recommend these two to me? Or should I just leave them be?

[Emily]

Yeah, anyone have any opinions? I thought the control scheme on Ridge Racer seemed to lame to warrent a perchace...

[Satac]

I can tell you something about the N-Gage Asphalt:
You have to modes: Arcade and Evolution mode. Arcade is "choose a race and drive". Evolution is like NFSU: Buy a car and start upgrading, buy a new car etc. This is not so "complex" like in NFSU (you can only upgrade 8 parts of your car).

[Drexel923]

Well, Ridge Racer isn't out yet so we don't know too much about it. To me, Asphalt is exactly the kind of racer your looking for. I don't play racing games at all, and I enjoyed this game. Its nothing special, just your typical arcade style racing game. Plus it looks nice running 60 FPS on the DS. There is a good selection of cars so you may not get bored with it, however, the tracks are kind of limited. But if your like me, and just want to pick up and play a racer every once and a while, I think you'll enjoy it.

[evilmess]

Imo the RR series has never been a "casual racing game" and by the looks of the videos the new RR for the DS seems to have the same racing physics as other RR's. You may want to try out one of the other Ridge Racers to better decide if it's unique style of driving and sliding is something you'll like.

I highly recommend RR 64!

[Jasoco]

Okay, I'm leaning towards Asphalt.

How I wish they'd port Top Gear Rally and Beetle Adventure Racing. I'd just die..

[evilmess]

You may want to start leaning in another direction!

review (http://www.n-philes.com/reviews.php?Id=87)
review (http://ds.ign.com/articles/567/567741p1.html)

Mario Kart DS or RR now. :/

[Jasoco]

Believe me, if Mario Kart were out now, I wouldn't even consider the other two. Damn, I had high hopes for Asphalt. But now I read about all the problems. So that's off my list. I really liked the use of licensed vehicles. But if it's so bad, forget it.

Guess I'm now leaning towards Ridge Racer. Or none at all. :/

[le geek]

I'd probably hold out to see how Need for Speed Underground comes out...

Other than a few new cars, not enough was added or improved to Ridge Racer.

[zektor]

I bought Asphalt today. I think it's a pretty darn good racing game. Great fps, great graphics, and the true feel of driving at top speed. THe game (at least for me) is quite hard however. For some reason I just cannot come in 1st. Guess more practice is what is required on my end. All in all, I would say the game was definitely worth the $30 purchase.

[Psycho Mantis]

asphalt sounds prttey cool and so does ridge racer. i might wait for a price drop.