A fascinating piece of gaming history has emerged as development footage of a cancelled Nintendo Switch version of the popular “Ridge Racer” racing series has leaked online. Bandai Namco’s Singapore team was developing the project for a planned 2017 release, but it ultimately never saw the light of day—until now.
The newly surfaced development video gives racing game enthusiasts a rare glimpse into what might have been. The footage showcases various elements of the unfinished game, including:
- Menu interfaces
- Track designs
- Vehicle selection
- Racing gameplay
The video appears to have originally surfaced in Reddit’s community and reportedly comes from actual development kit software. While some aspects of the game seem relatively polished, the core racing experience reveals why the project may have been abandoned.
Similarities to PS Vita Version
Eagle-eyed Ridge Racer fans will notice striking similarities between this cancelled Switch version and the 2011 PlayStation Vita release. The car models and track designs appear nearly identical to the Vita edition, suggesting this may have been intended as a port with enhancements.
The game features familiar Ridge Racer elements, including:
- Performance-focused vehicle upgrades (rather than visual customization)
- Basic vehicle repainting options
- A Grand Prix campaign structure featuring short races, reminiscent of the PSP’s “Ridge Racers” title
Technical Issues Abound
Once the actual racing begins, the video reveals numerous technical problems that likely contributed to the game’s cancellation:
- Inconsistent and low-volume narration
- Unstable collision detection
- Random car bouncing during drifts and uphill sections
- Delayed and harsh sound effects
- Frequent lighting glitches
- Flickering environmental objects
This rare look at an unreleased racing title offers an interesting glimpse into the development process and the challenges that sometimes lead to a project’s cancellation. For Ridge Racer fans who have been hoping for the series to make its way to Nintendo’s hybrid console, this footage provides both a tantalizing look at what could have been and perhaps an explanation for why it never materialized.
What do you think about this cancelled Ridge Racer project? Would you have been excited to play it on the Nintendo Switch if these technical issues had been resolved?
