It will be backward-compatible and will feature an iPad-like hand controller with a 6-inch touchscreen. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s high-definition Wii U comes out for the 2012 holidays. Three out of four stars.)ĬONSOLE NEWS: Reputable video game sites have reported sourced rumors that the PlayStation 4 and the next Xbox system might come out during the 2013 holidays.Īn even newsier rumor suggests the next Xbox will require it being run online at all gaming times, which could somehow hurt the used-game market.Īnd the PlayStation 4 is rumored not to be backward-compatible (unable to play PS 3 games), while requiring a purchase code to play, thereby hurting the used-game market. Rated “T” for mild language, mild violence. (“Ridge Racer Unbounded” by Namco Bandai retails for $50 for PS 3 and Xbox 360 - Plays fun. Personally, I need a car with top-rated acceleration and handling to move fluidly, and there aren’t enough of those cars in “Unbounded.”Įven so, overall, this is a fun and difficult racer (with an online multiplayer), as long as you’re cool with those few caveats. But in the most difficult races, all it takes is one car to bump you, and you spin out and lose. Yes, in the light races, you can crash a few times and win.

They seem worse to handle than unicycles.Īnd handling is important in the hardest races. 2: You must earn points to unlock supposedly better cars, but I hate most cars I unlocked.

I eventually muted the sound and listened to podcasts.Ĭomplaint No. 1: Since there’s no plot or voice-over narrative (which is true of racers generally), you hear only repetitive music and sound effects. Other events are “frag attacks,” in which your impervious car must ram a certain number of rival cars during a brief timer. Some are time trials (boring), or drift challenges in which you merely turn corners for points (horrible). Most events are races with explosions (very fun). (Although, many tracks feel like the same tracks.) And there are more than 50 separate racing events, on city roads, to conquer. Some people have compared it to “Split/Second,” but I like “Unbounded” more. So officially, “Unbounded” is a combat-racer (without rocket launchers). “Unbounded” feels more like a wild “Need for Speed” game, because it’s more illustrated than usual (less realism), it comes with a magical turbo button, and you’re encouraged to make other cars wreck. When you first get under the hood of “Unbounded,” it doesn’t feel like previous “Ridge Racer” games, which focused more on technical driving mechanics. That’s the modus operandi of “Ridge Racer Unbounded” - speed, crash, yet victory. And even if you suffer a wreck or two within the same race, you can still win. The premise of most racing games is: It’s fun to drive 272 mph.

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