E3 2011: Ridge Racer cruising onto Vita

LOS ANGELES--The Ridge Racer franchise has made a habit of getting in on game system launches, with Namco Bandai queuing up installments in its driving series for the arrival of the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, 3DS, and PSP. Now, it appears as if Namco Bandai could be positioning Ridge Racer for Sony's recently named Vita launch, as well.

Andria Sang reports today that Namco Bandai has confirmed that a new installment in the Ridge Racer franchise is in development for the Vita. The game has reportedly not yet been named, and it is operating under the working title of Ridge Racer.

The Japanese-oriented website noted that details are sparse on this most recent installment in the long-standing Ridge Racer franchise. Namco Bandai is reportedly developing the title at its internal Celius studio. Production is being led by Hideo Teramoto, who filled an associate producer role on Ridge Racer 7, which arrived for the PlayStation 3 in 2006.

Namco Bandai did not confirm the new Ridge Racer's release date, but the Vita is due out this holiday season.

[UPDATE] Namco Bandai's Western operations have now followed suit from its Japanese arm, officially confirming Ridge Racer (working title) for the Vita. The publisher did not provide a release date, but it did say that gamers can expect to see arcade-style drift racing.