December 7th 2024.
As I reflect on PlayStation's 30 years in the gaming industry, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the console that started it all for me - the original PlayStation. It was my first console at the age of 12, and I remember the excitement of finally having a gaming system to call my own. And to top it off, it came with the highly acclaimed racing game, Ridge Racer.
Before the PlayStation, I had only played on a friend's Mega Drive and Amiga, so owning my own console was a big deal. While some may have cringe-worthy photos of themselves ripping open presents in their pajamas, I can confidently say that I was just as excited, if not more. I had heard great things about Ridge Racer, but I had never seen it in arcades as it was a rare game. All I knew was that the graphics looked incredibly realistic - a far cry from what we see in games today.
While many consider Super Mario 64 to be the groundbreaking moment for 3D gaming, I missed out on that experience. I didn't know anyone who owned a Nintendo 64, and I didn't see the game until years later when it was no longer considered revolutionary. But for me, the moment of realization that the gaming world had shifted from 2D to 3D happened in Ridge Racer. Despite having only one track, I spent countless hours trying to unlock everything and improve my times, even attempting to hit the elusive helicopter.
Even now, the game holds up well in terms of graphics and gameplay. Watching it in action brings back a wave of nostalgia that I rarely feel for games or anything else. I've joked before that no PlayStation game has ever surpassed the magic I felt with Ridge Racer, and while that may not be entirely true, it holds a special place in my heart as the most influential game for my love of gaming.
Sure, there have been many improvements in graphics and gameplay on subsequent PlayStation consoles, but nothing has come close to that feeling of being at the forefront of a new era in gaming. I know the same can be said for players of Super Mario 64, and it's a shame that advancements in graphics have slowed down, making it unlikely for that feeling to be replicated again.
That's not to say that we can't still be amazed by graphics in games. Every year, there are countless visually stunning games released, but it's never the same leap that we saw with the original PlayStation and Ridge Racer. Virtual reality may come close, but having played VR games before, they still feel like tech demos to me. I suppose you could argue that Ridge Racer was a tech demo in its own way, but for me, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
As I look ahead to the future of gaming, I can't help but wonder what's in store for us. Some may say that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be the last console, and that thought is both exciting and concerning. However, I can't help but think about my own idea of reviving Dino Crisis through a Capcom All-Stars RPG - a game set in the real world. But with advancements in gaming technology, I can't help but wonder why there are so few big-budget games set in the real world.
At the end of the day, the original PlayStation and Ridge Racer will always hold a special place in my heart. They were the starting point of my love for gaming and will forever be remembered as the game that brought me into the 3D gaming world. And while technology continues to advance and shape the future of gaming, I will always look back fondly on that moment of realization and the countless hours spent playing Ridge Racer on my beloved PlayStation.
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