A reader looks back at Mega Drive classic Road Rash and its unique blend of racing and beat ‘em-up action, set to a classic soundtrack.
Released in the early ’90s, Road Rash for the Sega Mega Drive (known as the Genesis in North America) wasn’t just another racing game. It was a gritty, rebellious, and pulse-pounding thrill ride that threw out the rulebook and rewrote what gamers could expect from a motorcycle racer.
EA’s Road Rash remains a cult classic, not just for its chaotic gameplay, but for its adrenaline-fueled soundtrack that still stands as one of the greatest in 16-bit gaming history.
At its core, Road Rash is a motorcycle racing game. But it adds a glorious twist: combat. The game drops you onto long stretches of open road, weaving through traffic, dodging cows and potholes, all while trying to punch, kick, or bludgeon your fellow racers with chains and clubs. It was this fusion of high-speed racing and beat ‘em-up action that made Road Rash more than just a test of reflexes. It was a dirty street brawl at 100 mph.
Each race feels like a mini-epic. There’s strategy in knowing when to strike an opponent or when to focus on dodging incoming attacks. Cops would chase you and if you crashed too many times, you were arrested or hospitalised, costing you time and money – both precious in the pursuit of better bikes and higher-tier races.
The simplicity of the controls – accelerate, brake, attack – hid a much deeper level of nuance. You had to learn each course, anticipate tight corners, and time your attacks. It was endlessly replayable, brutally difficult at times, and always a blast to pick up, even for a quick race.
For a 16-bit game, Road Rash looked great. The bikes had a chunky, satisfying look to them and the scrolling backgrounds, while repetitive, had enough detail to create atmosphere. From rural highways to urban sprawls, each track felt distinct.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
The character portraits were particularly memorable, as you faced sneering punks who looked like they belonged in a Mad Max movie. These visual cues gave the game its own identity – a raw, anarchic feel that perfectly matched the gameplay.
But while the visuals helped set the tone, it was the sound that elevated Road Rash into legend.
Ask any longtime gamer what they remember most about Road Rash and chances are the music will come up immediately. The Mega Drive’s Yamaha sound chip wasn’t known for subtlety, but the developers managed to squeeze out a soundtrack that was nothing short of iconic. Gritty, distorted guitar riffs. Thumping bass lines. High-energy rock anthems that made you feel like you were playing through a music video on wheels.
Each track captured the rebellious spirit of the game. Whether you were hammering down a desert road or weaving through a rain-slicked city street, the music pushed you forward, amping up the tension and excitement. It was loud, it was dirty, and it was absolutely perfect.
Even today, the Road Rash soundtrack holds up. Fans have remixed and covered its songs for years, and retrospectives often cite it as one of the best examples of early game music that went beyond beeps and bloops to capture real musical energy. It wasn’t just background noise – it was part of the experience.
What makes Road Rash still fun today is its unapologetic style. It doesn’t try to be realistic. It doesn’t care about physics or fairness. It’s about the rush. Few racing games have ever captured that outlaw feeling so effectively. And while later entries added FMV cut scenes and licensed music, the original Mega Drive version still reigns supreme for many fans because of its perfect blend of raw gameplay and that unforgettable chiptuned rock.
In the pantheon of Mega Drive classics, Road Rash deserves its place. It was loud, it was wild, and it knew exactly what it was: fun, fast, and fuelled by an unforgettable soundtrack.
By reader BaldB3lper
The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at [email protected] or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.
MORE: Why is Nintendo trying to make the Switch 2 seem so unexciting? – Reader’s Feature
MORE: The video game that made me fall in love with gaming – Reader’s Feature
MORE: Sony should stop making PlayStation consoles while they’re still beating Xbox – Reader’s Feature