It seems like the last few articles I've written have been covering Xbox 360 racing games. The launch window is packed with big time racing titles like Project Gotham Racing 3 and Need for Speed Most Wanted, but the topic of discussion today is Namco's highly anticipated Ridge Racer 6. The Ridge Racer series has a strong following and equally strong sales when it launches with a new console. With this knowledge in hand, I headed over to a recent Namco event to check out a near final build of Ridge Racer 6.

I had the chance to play RR6 at the Tokyo Game Show last month, but the version Namco had on display only allowed me to play with one car and race on a single track. This time Namco had a 99% build on hand and ready for me to roll through. The first thing I checked out was the World Xplorer mode. This single player mode offers 230 race events across 30 different tracks. Most of the tracks are completely new to the series, but a few have been modified from previous Ridge Racer titles.

The race events will vary based on different rules players will have to follow and different objectives that will have to be completed. Not all 230 events will be available from the start, you'll have to unlock them as you go. The same restriction is placed on the cars as well. There will be 130 different cars in the game, ranked in four different classes. You'll start with Class 1 cars that aren't very fast, but will teach you the basics of the game. As your progress through the World Xplorer mode, you'll unlock higher classed cars that have a higher top speed and better performance.

While the demo unit I was playing on did not have a full surround sound system or even those nifty 5.1 headphones that Microsoft has been using to demo Xbox 360 games, it was clear that the surround sound abilities of the new console will be put to full use. Planes, birds, and blimps flew over my car multiple times as I raced through the different tracks. In addition, even with the stereo system I was playing on, you could hear the cars coming up behind you. I can't wait until I've got the game on my surround system at home to really get the full surround sound treatment because this game is going to rock any home theater system.

Speaking of rocking, the music in Ridge Racer 6 has taken a slightly different tone. Every song on the games soundtrack is completely new. Unlike previous games in the series, the music in RR6 has more of an international focus. While the game doesn't take place in any real life locations, you definitely get the feel that certain tracks are set in Europe, the US, and Japan. The music will go along with the assumed locale as well.

Both times I've played Ridge Racer 6 the controls were setup with the triggers being turbo (NOS) instead of gas and break. However, the Namco rep assured me that there were different control schemes for players who preferred the gas and break on the triggers. Beyond that small issue, the handling felt very smooth and all of the vehicles were extremely responsive.

Since Ridge Racer 6 is the first next generation Ridge Racer title, the graphics must be carefully looked at. In the 99% build I played there were still jaggies clearly visible. While this doesn't detract from the gameplay at all, it is something the Microsoft has said will not be an occurrence on the Xbox 360. When I asked the Namco representative about the issue, he did tell me that this would be one of the minor fixes in the remaining 1% that the development team is working on. So I'll hold off on my final graphical judgment until I have a final build to play.

Beyond that small issue, the graphics in RR6 are fairly solid, and give you a good sense of speed. The lighting was definitely the highlight of the graphical presentation. On night tracks the tail lights have a very nice blur effect to them, while the headlights have realistic lighting effects that truly make it appear as though they're real headlights. As you're racing, sparks will also fly out from under the cars, but not to the point of being excessive.

Ridge Racer 6 is the first next generation Ridge Racer, and Namco is making sure it's done right with full Xbox Live functionality. While a final number has yet to be decided for Xbox Live multiplayer, Namco is promising at least 10 player races over Live. All 30 tracks and 130 cars will be available for online races, and downloadable content will be available at some point after the release as well. Time Attack mode will also have Xbox Live functionality, allowing players to upload their track times and download ghosts from other player's record track times.

When Ridge Racer 6 was announced as an Xbox 360 launch title, some fans were skeptical that Namco would come up short with their first next generation racer. However, after spending some time with a near final build of the game, I can safely say things are looking up for Ridge Racer fans. Microsoft has yet to officially announce their day one lineup for the Xbox 360, but Ridge Racer 6 will be ready to go on November 22 so long as Microsoft gives it the green light. We'll have more on this anticipated racer in the coming weeks.