PixlBit

If you thought Ridge Racer 3D was going to be your only opportunity to get your 3DS racing fix, you were wrong.

Ubisoft will be delivering stereoscopic 3D arcade racing as well with Asphalt 3D. While not quite as storied a series as Ridge Racer, the series has been through multiple iterations, and purportedly, the latest 3D iteration from Gameloft is the best.

Asphalt 3D is a jack of all trades, offering gameplay in many different forms. Challenges and micro challenges are found in eight different flavors. Your basic competitive race is just one of those eight, with the other seven providing great variety, though all modes have been seen elsewhere in other popular modern racers.

Leader of the Pack is most similar to Burnout’s Eliminator mode; last to cross the finish line in each lap is eliminated until only one racer is left standing. Vigilante mode mimics Burnout’s takedowns, forcing players to smash opposing racers to knock them out of commission. High Speed Chase lets players run away from chasing cops, similar to Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. Cash Attack allows players to grab money on the course, as seen in many prior racing games. Drift mode forces players to perform the move as much as possible throughout a given race in order to win. Duel (one-on-one) and Time Trial modes are fairly self-explanatory as they are part of the standard racing fare.

These various modes take place in seventeen different real life locales including Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Cape Town, and Madrid. Players can take both cars and motorcycles on the road, with a total of forty different vehicles available. Many are real life models including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, and Aston Martin.

No online mode is offered, but up to six players can go head to head in the game’s single card local wireless mode. StreetPass allows the trade of rankings and race ghosts.

Asphalt 3D will be available for the launch of the 3DS system on March 27 for a suggested retail price of $39.99. Be sure to check back after launch for PixlBit’s review coverage on the game.