If you make any racer that plays like Outrun, you have my curiosity, but, if you give me a red Ferrari and the ability to choose my track on the radio, then you have my attention.
While it definitely takes heavy inspiration from Outrun, Rad Racer chooses to eschew the choose-your-route structure for a traditional checkpointed campaign with 8 courses. And, while I prefer that choice, many of these courses are absolutely stunning, especially Seaway in Typhoon, San Francisco Highway, and Lisa Angeles Night Way. Add on 3 great radio tracks to choose from, difficult but fair check pointing, and unnecessarily aggressive drivers, and you’ve got a game that stands on its own despite its inspirations being as clear as a passing breeze. Overall, Rad Racer is easily one of my favorite games I’ve played on the NES.
While it definitely takes heavy inspiration from Outrun, Rad Racer chooses to eschew the choose-your-route structure for a traditional checkpointed campaign with 8 courses. And, while I prefer that choice, many of these courses are absolutely stunning, especially Seaway in Typhoon, San Francisco Highway, and Lisa Angeles Night Way. Add on 3 great radio tracks to choose from, difficult but fair check pointing, and unnecessarily aggressive drivers, and you’ve got a game that stands on its own despite its inspirations being as clear as a passing breeze. Overall, Rad Racer is easily one of my favorite games I’ve played on the NES.