Mean Machines Sega
1st May 1995
Road Rash CD
What goes around comes around, and around and around. Well it does if you buy EA games. Road Rash has been thrashing around Megadrive country roads and lanes for the best part of four years now, and EA show no sign of slowing down. Not long after the release of the third Megadrive edition comes a portmanteau of the cartridge games bundled with the front-end of the groovy 3DO game, with all the rendered footage and video clips.
Panzer People
The CD contains characters and options from the excellent 3DO game. These are set in 'Der Panzer Club', a biker's dive. Select a cartoony character and browse the bikes which are profiled in arresting camera sweeps. All race starts, finishes and busts are accompanied with a series of funny video clips. Well, funny the first time.
Skiddy-wise
The playing perspective is almost identical to previous Road Rash titles, like McCartney/Lennon's "long and winding road". However, new hazards and targets make their debut. The "zombie" inhabitants of the town stage, supermarket trolleys and hazards unique to each stage present challenges.
Gus
Although the worthy presentation of the 3DO has found a place on the CD, none of the new graphics and gameplay have. You could be looking at previous Road Rash. You are also looking at a good £40 for a game that's, basically, three years old. Good value for EA, but not so good for Mega-CD owners.
Steve
Megadrive owners owe a debt to Road Rash and EA - it was the best racer on the machine for many moons. But times move on, and that debt has been repaid. The Mega-CD version was the opportunity to try something new using the machine's limited hardware.
The opportunity has been largely missed, as the additions are fripperies and the main game unchanged. Make your buying decision in light of this - just say no.Verdict
Graphics 75%
The presentational graphics are ace, but the racing scenes look very dated.
Sound 78%
Rawk which might go down well in the mid-weest but not in this notion of Dance.
Still a good reflex tester/fun game, but doesn't look serious next to Virtua Racing/Kawasaki.
Lastability 69%
The feeling of deja vu ruins lasting appeal.
Value For Money 72%
EA are overcharging, in our opinion, for a game they've already oversold.
Overall 74%
Nothing much to add to either Road Rash 2 or 3, though not strictly a bad game.
