Namco has launched many consoles with its high profile software lineup. The original PlayStation launched with Tekken and Ridge Racer, the PS2 launched with Tekken Tag Tournament and Ridge Racer V, and the PlayStation Portable launched with Ridge Racer as well. Now, the Xbox 360 is set to hit retails stores on November 22, and Namco's ready to unleash Ridge Racer 6 right alongside the next generation console.

We took the game for a spin at the Tokyo Game Show, and Ridge Racer fans have a lot to be thankful for. It's been a long wait since Ridge Racer V hit the PlayStation 2, but Namco is looking to make up for it in a big way. While only one car and track were playable in the TGS demo, and there was no way to test out the online play, we were able to get a good feel for the game, and there's no question that it fits perfectly into the Ridge Racer series.

As you might expect, the car was controlled by the analog stick, and we're happy to report that the Xbox 360 controller felt quite fluid with Ridge Racer. Controlling the car was smooth and easy, and even performing skilled power slides took only a few tries to get the hang of. The A button served as the gas, with X being the break, Y changed the camera viewpoint, and B showed the view behind your ride.

It felt a little strange not being able to use the triggers as the gas, but Namco has informed us that the final build will allow you to change your button configuration (or at the very least put the gas as the trigger). In the TGS build, the right trigger served as your turbo button. As you perform power slides around corners, your turbo meter will begin to fill. There are three levels of turbo, each offering a short speed boost when you press the right trigger.

When using the turbo boost, or just accelerating up to high speeds, the sense of speed was very realistic. In fact, when compared to Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Test Drive: Unlimited, we felt that Ridge Racer 6 actually offered the best overall simulation of speed, and the tightest control. While the single course that was available to race on wasn't the most challenging, the tight controls should come in handy when things get tough.

As with any other next generation game, the question of how the graphics look is always a touchy one. Ridge Racer is a good looking game for an Xbox 360 launch title, but there were some minor graphical issues. We noticed some jagged edges across the top of the car, but with the power of the Xbox 360 and the superior anti-aliasing abilities it offers developers, we're fairly confident the issue will be resolved by the time the game hits store shelves.

The Xbox 360 launch window is stuffed full of racing games. Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Test Drive: Unlimited, Project Gotham Racing 3, Full Auto, and Ridge Racer 6 will all be going head to head for your racing dollars. We played NFS, Test Drive, and Ridge Racer at TGS, and Ridge Racer definitely felt like the clear choice for your first Xbox 360 racing game. Full Auto is a combat racing game, so it's not quite in the same genre as Ridge Racer 6, but PGR3 could offer some stiff competition. Either way, Ridge Racer 6 is one of the top Xbox 360 racing games, and a must have for racing fans.