Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote is a Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear platform game based on the Looney Tunes cartoon franchise. Despite sharing the same titular characters, it is an unrelated game to the Mega Drive title Desert Demolition.
The player plays as the Road Runner and must make it to the end of each level (marked by an "Exit" sign). The Road Runner can run with and or jump with . The Road Runner can defeat enemies by jumping on them. Each level is timed; the player loses a life if time runs out, but time can be gained by collecting stars throughout the level. There are special bonus areas filled with bonus stars that can be found by locating transporters in the levels. Near the end of each level, Wile E. Coyote chases the Road Runner with a contraption. Wile E. has a different contraption every two levels. The Road Runner cannot harm Wile E. Coyote and must avoid him on the way to the exit.
The Road Runner's health is represented by yellow circles. If he touches an enemy or other hazard, he loses a circle (it turns red). Health can be replenished by eating bird seed, which is found throughout the levels. The Road Runner can eat bird seed by standing next to a dish and pressing . Some dishes of bird seed also serve as checkpoints, where the Road Runner is revived after losing a life. This is denoted by the "SEED" sign changing to a small picture of the Road Runner's head. However, some dishes of bird seed are booby-trapped and damage the Road Runner instead of healing him.
Levels
Cliffs and Ledges
Cliff Chase
Tired and Feathered
Highway Runnery
Bird in the Bush
Gone to Seed
Rock 'n' Roll
Coyote Canyon
Down and Under
Up and Under
Speed Seed
Hop, Skip, and Jump
Items
Items are found throughout the levels or sometimes appear after defeating an enemy.
Extra Time
Increases the total time remaining.
Speed-Up
Increases the Road Runner's speed.
Invincibility
Makes the Road Runner invulnerable to damage for 10 seconds.
Points Multiplier
Multiplies the player's score by 10 at the end of the level.