Road Rash
Imagine a motorcycle race where victory depends not just on speed, but also on how many riders you can knock off their bikes along the way with a fist or a club. That is exactly what set Road Rash apart from other racing games the moment it appeared, and it took the breath away from Sega Mega Drive owners. The combination of fast riding and brutal, violent action turned it into one of the console's most distinctive brands.
The game was developed by studio Electronic Arts, and Road Rash became their flagship racing series on the sixteen-bit generation. You ride along American roads full of traffic, dodging cars, cows, and oncoming vehicles while also fighting the other bikers. Winnings earn you money, which you use to upgrade and buy faster machines so you can battle through the tougher levels.
The magic of Road Rash lies in how organically it blended two things that at first glance do not belong together. The sense of speed is excellent, the tracks fly by briskly, and combat while riding adds a layer of tension: you have to watch the road and the rival beside you. Add to that the attention of the police, who can arrest you if you slow down or crash, and you get an adrenaline cocktail.
Road Rash became a cultural phenomenon of the late eighties and early nineties and kicked off a series that continued on a number of platforms. Later installments, famous on the 3DO console, added live-action video sequences and a licensed rock soundtrack, pushing the brand toward an even rawer image. The gritty atmosphere and dark humor became the trademark of the entire series.
To this day Road Rash is remembered as one of those titles that defined the Mega Drive's individuality against a more polished Nintendo. If you want to understand why Sega's console had a reputation as the bolder and more grown-up platform, here is the ideal exhibit.
Why play it: A race and a brawl in one, perfectly capturing the cheeky nature of the Sega Mega Drive and entertaining with its raw speed.
Game 59 of 151 for SEGA Mega Drive
The same title elsewhere (2)
The 1991 SEGA Mega Drive original ran on classic 16-bit graphics and chiptune music from its FM chip, yet still delivered the thrill of a dangerous road race where fists and clubs mattered as much as speed. The 1994 3DO Interactive Multiplayer version put the CD format to full use: the soundtrack is made of real rock tracks played as CD audio, cutscenes use digitized actors and video, and the graphics and track backgrounds are noticeably more detailed. In exchange for the loading times typical of CD consoles, the 3DO version delivers a more atmospheric, sound-rich experience, which is why it's often ranked among the series' high points.
