The Ridge Racer re-release has been announced, and those who spent countless hours in the legendary arcade racer have a lot to be excited about. For the first time, the original 1993 arcade version of Ridge Racer is coming to home consoles. This is a big moment for the long-dormant series, especially since it’s landing not only on the Nintendo Switch but also on the upcoming Switch 2, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
This new release is part of HAMSTER Corporation’s Arcade Archives lineup, with Ridge Racer launching the fresh Arcade Archives 2 series on June 5, 2025. While Ridge Racer was ported to the original PlayStation back in 1994, this is the closest players will get to the original arcade experience from home.
The upcoming Ridge Racer re-release will come in two editions, the standard Arcade Archives version will be priced at $14.99 and available for the original Switch and PS4, and the upgraded Arcade Archives 2 version, which includes enhanced features like a rewind button and Time Attack mode, will release for $16.99 on the Switch 2, PlayStataion 5, and Xbox Series consoles. For those upgrading consoles, there’s a $2.99 upgrade option.
Each version includes Original Mode, High Score Mode, and Caravan Mode. The Arcade Archives 2 edition adds a few extras for players who want a bit more depth, though the game remains single-player, and Network Mode will not be included.
This Ridge Racer re-release isn’t just focusing on nostalgia. It aims to reintroduce one of gaming’s most iconic racers to a new generation. Players who’ve never experienced the high-speed thrills and tight drifting of Ridge Racer can now do it without needing an arcade cabinet. But not having an online mode is a glaring omission that might hurt the game’s appeal.
With support for multiple modern platforms, including the brand-new Switch 2, Hamster is making sure the Ridge Racer re-release gets as wide a reach as possible. It’s clear the goal is to celebrate the series’ roots while giving fans something authentic to revisit or discover for the first time.
