RR 3D basically plays like RR PSP, but it feels a lot faster and more agile. It is less refined and a bit less smooth, but the added 3D effect makes up for that to make RR 3DS a unique new Ridge Racer. Playing with bumper cam (as one should play RR), it looks amazing. Trees, buildings, snowmen and helicopters passing right by, going through tunnels, having rival cars up close on your screen - it all feels so much faster in 3D!
As for the content: around 40 cars, 150 tracks (yes, a bloody lot) both new and old, and 40 'direct audio' songs - half of which is old stuff, the other half is a brilliant mix between the usual electronic and nice hardrock. Coupled to the best engine noises since RR7! And the commentary, which is a bit too present this time, so I turned it down.
There's the usual Grand Prix mode, Standard Race, One-make race (all drive the same car), Time Trial and Ghost Duel (including staff ghosts). An interesting new one is Quick Cup: set your playing time (perfect for train or bus travels) and track type preference, and the game custom generates a set of races for you to play. As for multiplayer: 2 - 4 players locally, and StreetPass functionality for exchanging records and ghosts (for Ghost Duel).
So yeah, I'll be playing this on launch day Interesting how the DS never got a really good racing game in 6 years, while the 3DS gets released with a bloody great one!