March 25^th, 2005 (5:47pm) - Namco Hometek Inc. announced that the latest installment in its drift racing franchise, "Ridge Racer," has shipped to retail outlets throughout North America for the PSP handheld entertainment system. Featuring intense, high-speed racing action and wireless multiplayer connectivity for up to eight players, "Ridge Racer" will be available in stores for the PSP launch on March 24, and is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB.

"Ridge Racer" continues the tradition of the classic racing franchise with fast and furious racing across 24 visually stunning courses in 54 thundering vehicles. Taking full advantage of the powerful PSP hardware, "Ridge Racer" features gorgeous 3D graphics, true analog steering, 30 pulse-pounding music tracks and four hidden cars including the Pac-Man machine. The U.S. version of "Ridge Racer" includes an all-new Max Tour in the World Tour Mode, with seven new demanding tours for true "Ridge Racer" roadsters. The new nitrous boosting system adds an additional element of strategy to the series, with racers attempting outrageous drifts to build up valuable reserves of nitrous.

“With vivid 3D graphics, wireless multiplayer racing for up to eight players and a classic collection of tracks and cars, ’Ridge Racer’ is the perfect showcase for the power of the PSP,” said Yoshi Niki, Business Unit Director with Namco Hometek Inc. “We have expanded upon this winning formula with seven challenging new tours that are only available in the North American version of the game.”