SEATTLE--Namco is showing off a DS installment in the Ridge Racer series, entitled Ridge Racer DS, at Nintendo's Gamer's Summit. From the looks of the work in progress version of the game we tried, Namco appears to be taking the same approach that Nintendo is with Super Mario DS and building on an existing Nintendo 64 game. In Ridge Racer DS' case the game is Ridge Racer 64, the one and only appearance of the series on the Nintendo 64. In lieu of a straight port, the game has been tweaked to include support for the touch screen and wireless link capabilities.

　　The demo of Ridge Racer DS features three self explanatory main modes, quick race, single player and multiplayer. Quick is race offered exactly what we expected, a quick race on any available track in the game for one. The single player game offers three varieties of races, grand prix, time attack and car attack, to test your skills. The multiplayer mode lets you play with up to five other players via WiFi.

　　We tried our hand at the single and multiplayer modes, albeit with just one other person, and came away with mixed emotions. On the one hand the game looks comparable to the Nintendo 64 game's visual quality with decent texture resolution, color, and a high frame rate. Some of the special effects for tail light blur were a little more understated than in the N64 version but given the game's unfinished state it's not worth passing judgment on at this point. One trouble spot that is worth keeping and eye on is the game's handling. In order to provide a showcase for the DS touch screen, Namco has implemented an option wherein you'll be able to steer your car by turning a wheel that appears in the touch screen during races. While a neat idea in theory, the concept hurts in practice at the moment. Steering is troublesome, especially around sharp corners, and the control scheme just doesn't feel terribly responsive or intuitive at the moment. Hopefully the game will undergo some refinement before it releases. While the core game and multiplayer modes are solid, the control could be a hefty issue for players.

　　As it stands, Ridge Racer DS is a promising entry in the DS launch line up. A good arcade style racer is always a welcome diversion, but the control set up needs to be tightened up before it hits the road. On the positive side, the game has good visuals and a solid array of racing options. The multiplayer mode handles fine and runs smoothly. If Namco can find the sweet spot for its control, the game will be a racer worthy of your time when it ships at launch.

　　For more updates on the Nintendo DS and other impressions and media, check out GameSpot's coverage of Nintendo's Gamer's Summit.