Road Rash

"Very fun game.......... take a look"

Road Rash for the Genesis is getting old, but the game is still very fun to play. You're a guy on a bike, and you're racing other guys on bikes. The key is, you don't just pass them - you knock them off, with a punch, kick, a chain or even a baseball bat. You get money based on your standing in the race, which you can use to upgrade your bike. You can also be caught by the cops; they catch you when you drive too slow or when you get thrown off your bike and it takes you a long while to get back on. The game has several courses.

Graphics: 8/10

Not too bad for early Genesis. The animations are often choppy, but good enough.

Sound: 8/10

Also pretty good considering the console and time. Sound effects were well done.

Gameplay: 9/10

Here's where the game shines: it was outrageously fun. When someone caught up to you, you could stick out your foot and drive them off the road. It's also fun to purposely get knocked off your bike, then see how far you can RUN on foot before the cops catch you (it will happen eventually). The control is responsive and very sharp, not to mention simple. A few more tracks would have been nice. The game's difficulty level is fair.

Replay: 9/10

Great fun to play over and over again. You often don't care how well you do in the race; only how many people you made crash. The ability to upgrade your bike to the best it can be can make you play again, as can the thrill of evading cops or hitting someone with a baseball bat when they least expect it.

Overall: 8/10

Think the Genesis has no life left? Well, maybe so, but this game is still worth a look anyway. Not worth the purchase of a Genesis, but if you have the system, and haven't played this game, do so. You won't be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99