Ridge Racer Port Achieves Impossible GBA Feat
Ridge Racer finally hits Game Boy Advance thanks to Gustavo Valiente’s RR Project, a from-scratch port using his Butano engine to deliver flat-shaded 3D drifting that brings Namco’s 1993 arcade classic to Nintendo’s handheld with surprisingly smooth performance.
Ridge Racer GBA enthusiasts can finally experience Namco's iconic 1993 arcade racer on Nintendo's beloved handheld, thanks to programmer Gustavo Valiente's remarkable technical achievement (you can check out his Itch page here).
His RR Project brings the original game's signature drift mechanics and challenging tracks to hardware that was never designed to handle such demanding 3D racing action. Valiente spent months developing this impressive port from scratch, utilising his custom Butano engine written in modern C++ to overcome the Game Boy Advance's limitations.
Meanwhile, the developer chose flat-shaded polygons to ensure smooth performance, resulting in cars and road surfaces that maintain the original's fluid motion. Consequently, players can now enjoy the same addictive cornering and precision drifting that made the arcade version so compelling. Furthermore, Valiente's technical wizardry preserves the core racing experience where shaving seconds off lap times through perfect drift control remains paramount.
Additionally, this achievement demonstrates how modern programming techniques can breathe new life into classic gaming hardware. The project stands as testament to both the enduring appeal of Ridge Racer and the Game Boy Advance's untapped potential. Therefore, retro gaming fans now have another reason to dust off their handhelds for some proper arcade racing action.
