[11] Reiko's image has been used to significant promote the Ridge Racer series through media such as television commercials,[12] computer wallpapers,[13] and pinup calendars.

[27] Australian Station's staff meanwhile described her as a symbol tied to the original PlayStation, citing her popularity and "wholesome sexiness" while voice particular praise for her Type 4 appearance.

[28] Chinese website Sina.com.cn describer her as a "virtual idol",[3] calling her presence rare in the racing car genre both due to her design and role as a driver in the series, and how players had grown attached to her character.

[29] GamesRadar+'s Justin Towell meanwhile suggested that much of the character's popularity arose from her physical characterization instead of aiming for photorealism, noting that despite console hardware issues in rendering 3D models "She is sensational.

While the staff of Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine mocked the reaction by suggesting players had "somehow forgotten the girls they see in video games aren't actually real people",[31] they also celebrated her return to the series with the PSP Ridge Racer title, calling her "the best race queen" unlike "those skanks who replaced her.

"[35] The staff of Inside meanwhile praised how Reiko acted as a "hidden heroine" in Type 4, sending the player messages of encouragement during the game's story mode if proper conditions were met.

Describing her as having a cheeful personality and established as a "cyberbabe", he felt her presence was seen as vital to the games as it helped provide a "reward" in the form of fan service that encouraged engagement from players who would hope doing so would lead to interactions with her.

Calling her "the epitome outmoded and outdated stereotyping" due to her usage being primarily in promotional material with limited involvement in the games, he felt she served as an example of how female characters are often relegated to the background compared to their male or even non-human counterparts, in this case the cars in the Ridge Racer series.

[39] Barbara Connell in the book Exploring the Media also criticized Reiko's usage, describing her as "heavily sexualized" and an example of how female characters are often used as props or bystanders in games.