Road Rash II on the Sega Genesis / Megadrive - a great sequel ?

A short while ago we looked at Road Rash on the Sega Mega Drive and the verdict was, it was pretty awesome. I enjoyed playing it so much. This ground-breaking racing/fighting game was released by EA in 1991. Knowing there was also two sequels, it seemed only right, I'd get to those also. Sensed there was lot more fun yet to be had with this adventure.

This time it was the turn of Road Rash II published two years after the original game, hitting the shelves in 1993. The game was also published by EA.
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Hopes were high after the success of the first one. I was hyped to maximum which isn't always a good thing. Sets you up for disappointment. Remember the Star Wars Phantom Menace movie? Ok, sorry if you'd blocked that film out your memory. Bits of it are okay right? The Podrace... the Darth Maul fight scenes. Think I'm going off on a tangent...

Erm anyway, is the second Road Rash game as good as the first, better or worse?

The sequel is instantly recognisable as Road Rash. They don't drift a huge distance from the winning formula. The game admittedly uses a lot of the original sprites and is clearly based off the same gaming engine. Thankfully it does build from the impressive first outing and offers more.

There are a numerous bikes to save up for by earning cash from races. These gradually increase in horsepower through Classes ranging from Light to Super bikes. You just know as a kid you would have played and played to get the money for the fastest bike in town.

There's a new set of tracks, more aggressive opponents and a variety of weapons to upset your fellow competitors with. Nothing can beat the fun of leaping fifty feet into the air, landing on the road and hitting another rider over the head perfectly with a big chain. The chain is my personal favourite.

It's all clean fun. Kind of. The occasional police officer on the road won't find it very amusing and try to bust you. The aim is to finish in the top through on every track to progress to the next difficulty level. Your bike can get wrecked along the way or you can end up in the hospital if you're not too careful. These are mean streets. Funny though!

This worthy sequel maintains the enjoyment and addictiveness of the first game and adds yet another superb layer. A really really enjoyable game. Shear brilliance !!!

Have a watch of the video review hosted on the channel via Youtube.

Will have to look at Road Rash 3 very soon. What a series so far !!

Nick :o)