1995 Arcade Racing Game Finally Releasing on Consoles After 31 Years

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As gaming moved from arcades to home consoles, some games inevitably fell by the wayside. Whether it was because they didn’t translate well to a new format or simply became hard to find, many have become rare and are now considered lost media. It’s unfortunate, because the effort developers put into these games still deserves to be experienced by anyone interested in playing them.

Thankfully, collections like the Arcade Archives series are reviving classic games for today’s consoles, adapting them for home play. It’s great to finally see Rave Racer – a 31-year-old title – available on consoles, especially since previous attempts to bring it home were cancelled. Here’s a rundown of everything you should know before Rave Racer arrives on February 26th.

Rave Racer Is Finally Getting A Console Release, 30 Years After The Initial Plans Fell Apart

Originally released in arcades in 1995 as the third installment in the Ridge Racer series, Rave Racer is now coming to home consoles. The game was incredibly popular, becoming one of the top-earning arcade games of 1996. With the ability to connect up to eight players, Rave Racer offered a multiplayer experience similar to what modern racers like Forza Horizon 5 provide, and helped pave the way for those games. It arrived during a time when Namco, like many companies, was seeing a shift in the gaming industry – from arcades to home consoles.

As a long-time fan, I was so excited to hear that Rave Racer is finally coming home! It was the last big arcade game in the Ridge Racer series – after that, Namco focused on consoles with games like Rage Racer and R4. It makes sense they planned to bring Rave Racer to PC and consoles originally, because it was hugely popular in arcades. Unfortunately, those plans fell through, and Rage Racer ended up being the console version instead. But now, after over thirty years, it’s happening! Hamster Corporation is handling the port – they’ve done a great job bringing other classic Namco System 22 arcade games to consoles, like Air Combat 22, Tokyo Wars, and the original Ridge Racer, so I have high hopes for this release.

How Rave Racer Works On Modern Consoles

Players will find two different versions of Rave Racer, depending on their gaming platform and which Arcade Archives version they have. Those on Switch and PS4 will get an Original Mode, a High Score Mode, and a Caravan Mode – the last of which adds extra challenges, like needing a certain high score to progress. Players on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and the new Switch will get everything in the first version, plus a Time Attack Mode, online multiplayer, multiple save slots, the ability to rewind gameplay, and even virtual reality support.

What’s particularly cool about this release is its attempt to recreate the feeling of actually being in an arcade, playing the game. With so many older games becoming rare or lost, it’s great to see the Arcade Archives series preserving these classics. Importantly, the core gameplay hasn’t been altered, meaning it’s still a genuine piece of gaming history that can be enjoyed by a new audience. The extra features in Rave Racer, particularly the VR mode, are a smart way to capture the fun of playing with friends in the arcade, using today’s technology. This ensures that future generations will have the chance to experience this exciting game.

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2026-02-10 23:42