Bandai Namco has created an all-new 3D Ridge Racer 7 arcade machine based on the popular PS3 launch title.
You have to wear 3D glasses, but the effect is worth it. The arcade attraction uses a special TV that filters the images to a player. Unlike the 3D glasses of old, these ones appear to be single-color shades. The image only appears 3D to those wearing the glasses, to bystanders the screen seems blurry, like two slightly displaced overlapping images. It’s actually a technique called Xpol. Promising 3D visuals without fatigue, the technology works at 1080p and 60 frames per second. It was developed by NHK Technical Service.
Namco tested the game at the Namco Wonder Park in Japan at a amusement center in Kanagawa Prefecture just to the south of Tokyo, and on-hand impressions from people who tried the game remarked that it really did offer a 3D feel, with the HUD readouts, such as the speedometer and positional info, looking like it’s hovering right in front of the player, while the course lays beyond.
Amazingly, the PS3 version of Ridge Racer 7 was converted to this new 3D format in only one week! the game moves the standard viewpoint a bit to the left or to the right, alternating with each frame. The only trade off, apparently, is that the game’s framerate appears lower.
It’s unclear at this point whether Bandai Namco will give Ridge Racer 7 3D a full arcade release. But if you live in Japan you will get more chances to check the game out, as they plan to show the game again at the CEATEC Japan event in early October, and then again shortly afterward at the Asiagraph.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find any pics of the arcade machine so this description from IGN will have to do! 😥