Road Rash (Mega-CD)
From Sega Retro
| Road Rash | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System(s): Sega Mega-CD | |||||||||||||||
| Publisher: Electronic Arts | |||||||||||||||
| Developer: Monkey Do Productions, New Level Software | |||||||||||||||
| Genre: Racing | |||||||||||||||
| Number of players: 1-2 | |||||||||||||||
|
Road Rash for the Sega Mega-CD is an entry in the Road Rash series of games. Despite its name, it is not a port of the original Road Rash, but rather its own game derived from the 3DO version (which was later ported to the Sega Saturn, again as Road Rash).
While only released in North America and Brazil, a European release was planned, and was even given cover art[4].
Contents
Gameplay
The game is centered around a series of motorcycle races throughout California that the player must win to advance to higher-difficulty races, while engaging in unarmed and armed combat to hinder the other racers. The bike steers with 
and 
. It accelerates with 
and brakes with 
. Higher-tier bikes are equipped with nitro and can launch a Nitrous Burst by pressing twice quickly. These bikes start each race with a limited number of nitro charges.
The racer can attack neighboring opponents with 
. Some opponents wield weapons such as clubs and chains, which can be taken and used by the racer if the opponent is attacked as they are holding the weapon out to strike. The racer can backhand opponents with 
+ or kick them with 
+.
There are two gameplay modes. Thrash Mode is a basic mode that allows the player to pick a course and race on it. There are fifteen racers (including the player), and the player starts each race in last position. Qualifying on all five courses (by finishing the race at third position or better) unlocks the next level, which features faster bikes, more aggressive opponents, and longer versions of the same five courses. There are five levels total. The player can also select the level in the options menu.
Big Game Mode is a more expansive mode where the player chooses a racer, each with different advantages and disadvantages. Similar to Thrash Mode, the player chooses from five courses and unlocks another level of courses by finishing each race in a qualifying position. The player earns cash prizes from each successful race (depending on finishing position). The player has access to a shop and can use prize winnings to purchase several bikes of differing weights, speeds and steering capabilities. As the bikes become faster as each level progresses, purchasing a faster bike eventually becomes essential for keeping up with the other racers. The player wins the Road Rash Cup (and the game) by winning a race on every course on all five levels.
Racers are ejected from their bikes if they crash into obstacles (such as cars, trees, and wildlife) or if they run out of stamina (shown in the bottom-left corner of the screen) from fights with opponents. In this event, the racer automatically runs back toward his or her bike; the player can move the racer with and or stand still with to avoid oncoming traffic. Stamina recovers over time. Opponents are likewise ejected from their bikes if their own stamina is depleted (shown in the bottom-right corner of the screen). The bike has its own damage meter (shown between the racer's and opponents' stamina meters), which decreases every time the racer suffers a crash. Opponents have different aggression levels, indicated by the color of their stamina bars (green being friendly unless attacked, yellow being friendly unless the player comes near, and red being aggressive and initiating attacks).
The bike is wrecked if the meter fully depletes, which ends the player's participation in the current race. In Big Game Mode, this also deducts the cost of a repair bill from the racer's balance. Police officers (on motorcycles) make sporadic appearances throughout the game's courses and can likewise end the player's participation if they apprehend the racer following a crash. In Big Game Mode, this also deducts the cost of a fine from the racer's balance. Repair bills and fines become more expensive with each subsequent level. If the racer lacks the funds to cover either a repair bill or a fine, the game ends. The player's bike has rear-view mirrors that can help the player see other racers and police officers approaching.
The game has two-player mode where the players take turns but no simultaneous two-player mode.
Racers
Each racer starts with a different bike, a different weapon, and a different amount of money.
Bikes
Bikes are divided into three classes, each progressively faster than the last.
Rat Bikes
Sport Bikes
Super Bikes
Courses
The game has five levels, each containing longer and more dangerous versions of the same courses.
| The City | |
|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada | |
| The Peninsula | |
| Napa Valley | |
| Pacific Highway | |
Versions
The main difference between this version of Road Rash and the 3DO original is that it uses the same core engine seen in its Sega Mega Drive predecessors, meaning the world is not rendered in 3D and the tracks are all different as a result. Much of the aesthetics are identical, however (save for colour restrictions), with similar cutscenes and menus, and an identical soundtrack.
The Mega-CD version of the game is the only version in which the alternative rock soundtrack plays during races and not only during menus.
Production credits
- Programmers: Russel Patterson, Carson Whitsett, Jr.
- Additional Programming: Dan Geisler, Warrick Holfield, Walt Stein
- Graphics: Keith Bullen, Chris Meland, Ivaylo Vaklinov, Jeff Stokol, Dave Weismann, Cindy Ahuna, Barbara Meyers, Charlie Navarro, Laura Bowen
- Audio: Marc Farly, Don Vecca
- Video Compression: Eric Kornblum
- Producer: Randy Breen
- Associate Producer: Steve Murray
- Art Direction: Keith Bullen
- Technical Direction: Colin McLaughlan
- Project Manager: Nana Chambers
- Track Editing: Steve Murray, Aaron McClay, Mike Lopez
- Game Testing: Jeff Hasson, Mike Hensley, Randy Eckhardt, Anji Mayfield
- Graphics: Louis Sremac, Matt Sarconi, Neil Strudwick, Nathan Walrath, Margaret Foley, Oliver Wade
- 3D Graphics: Dimitri Detchev
- Photography: Robert Fujioka Studios, Inc.
- Game Design: Randy Breen, Lori Washbon
- Track Tool Programming: Thom Phillabaum
- Track Layout and Design: Steve Murray, Jeff Glazier, Mike Lopez, Steve Matulac
- Writers: David Luoto, Jamie Poolos
- Art Direction: Jeff Smith, Lori Washbon, Dale Horstman
- Motorcycle Rider: Denise "Bud Man" Kobza Jr.
- Motorcycle Cop: Randy Breen
- Flag Girls: Noreen Berberiech, Lisa Higgins
- Business People: Lucy Bradshaw, Margaret Foley, Jeff Lee, Mark Douglas, Cyndi Hill, David Stokes
- Tourist: Andrea Smith
- Pedestrian: Emily Favors
- Old Lady: Audrey Gustafson
- Joggers: Randy Dillon, Audrey Gustafson
- Bikers: Noreen Berberiech, Randy Dillon, Mark Douglas, Lisa Higgins, Dave Luoto, Andrea Smith, Jeff Smith
- Boogie Boarder: Dan Hewitt
- Beach Dwellers: Dan Hewitt, Kara Mabry
- Divers: Kara Mabry, David Stokes
- Tennis Player: Jeff Lee
- Hitchhikers: Margaret Foley, Dan Hewitt
- Caltrans: Mark Douglas, Dan Hewitt, Lisa Higgins, Dave Luoto, Jeff Lee
- Director: Rod Gross
- Line Producer: Larry Lauter
- Director of Photography: Robin Mortarotti
- Video Engineer: Jim Rolin
- Key Grip: Mark Otewalt
- Production Assistants: Joe Cravelli, Stefanie Wasserman
- Wardrobe-Props: Brenda Giguere
- Camera Car: Jeff Bane
- Offline Editing: Alan Babbitt, Rod Gross, Rod Swanson
- Online Assembly: Jim Spadoni
- Design of Effects and Logo Treatment: Rod Swanson EA Director, Good Pictures, San Francisco
- Special Effects and Additional Online Editing: Randy Breen EA Director, Rod Gross Director, Western Images, San Francisco
- Color Correction: Jeff Smith EA Director, Western Images, San Francisco
- Sound Effects: Murray Allen EA Director, Music Annex, San Francisco
- Music and Audio Processing: Marc Farly
- Video Processing and Compression: Eric Kornblum
- Squad Car Driver: Ron Boyer
- Motorcycle Cop: Cato Samuels
- Cop: Melissa Rogers
- Stunts: Sean P. Donohue
- Motorcycle Riders: Joel Bloom, Randy Breen, Joe Carrillo, Jeff Smith
- Race Conclusion Winners, Losers: Joel Bloom, Randy Breen, Joe Carrillo, Randy Dillon, Stacey Hayes, Audrey Gustafson, Jeff Smith, Jeff Stokol
- Trophy Presenters: Stacey Hayes, Lisa Higgins, Bill Lee, Nathan Walrath
- Delinquent Kid: Anthony Marshall
- Bottle Bully: Scott Gilliand
- Park and Run Driver: Steve Murray
- Dog Trainer: Bow Wow Productions
- Rusty Cage: – Soundgarden, Outshined: – Soundgarden
- Music and Lyrics: Cornell
- Published by: You Make Me Sick I Make Music (ASCAP)
- Produced by: Terry Date, Soundgarden
- (P) 1991 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Badmotorfinger" 75021 5374 4-2
- Kickstand: – Soundgarden
- Lyrics: Chris Cornell
- Music: Kim Thayil
- Published by: You Make Me Sick I Make Music, In One Ear And Out Your Mother Music (ASCAP)
- Produced by: Michael Beinhorn, Soundgarden
- Mixed by: Brendan O'Brien
- (P) 1994 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Superunknown" 31454 0198 4-2
- Superunknown: – Soundgarden
- Lyrics: Chris Cornell
- Music: Kim Thayil, Chris Cornell
- Published by: You Make Me Sick I Make Music, In One Ear And Out Your Mother Music (ASCAP)
- Produced by: Michael Beinhorn, Soundgarden
- Mixed by: Brendan O'Brien
- (P) 1994 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Superunknown" 31454 0198 4-2
- The Bridge: – Paw
- Written by: Mark Hennessy, Grant Fitch
- Published by: Dinky Tone Music, Cyberpope Music (ASCAP)
- Produced by: Mr. Colson, Paw
- Mixed by: Andy Wallace
- (P) 1993 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Dragline" 31454 0065 4-2
- Pansy: – Paw, Jessie: – Paw
- Written by: Mark Hennessy, Grant Fitch, Peter Fitch
- Published by: Dinky Tone Music, Cyberpope Music, Camel Face Music (ASCAP)
- Produced by: Mr. Colson, Paw
- Mixed by: Andy Wallace
- (P) 1993 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Dragline" 31454 0065 4-2
- "Jessie" video (C) 1993
- A&M Records, Inc.
- Trip: – Hammerbox, Simple Passing: – Hammerbox
- Written by: Carrie Akre, Harris Thurmond, James Atkins, Dave Bosch
- Published by: Fat Karma Music, Blue Zephyr Music (ASCAP)
- Produced by: Michael Beinhorn
- (P) 1993 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Numb" 31454 0072 4-2
- Teethgrinder: – Therapy?
- Written by: Andrew Cairns, Fyfe Ewing, Michael McKeegan
- Published by: Music Corporation of America, Inc. (BMI)
- Produced and Mixed by: Harvey Birrell
- (P) 1992 A&M Records Ltd.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Nurse" 31454 0044 4-2
- Auto Surgery: – Therapy?
- Written by: Andrew Cairns, Fyfe Ewing, Michael McKeegan
- Published by: MCA Music Publishing, a division of MCA Inc. (ASCAP)
- Co-Produced by: Chris Sheldon, Therapy?
- (P) 1993 A&M Records Ltd.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Hats Off To The Insane" 31454 0139 4-2
- Dinosaur Vacume: – Monster Magnet
- Written by: David Wyndorf
- Published by: Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., Bull-God Music (BMI)
- Produced by: Dave Wyndorf
- (P) 1993 A&M Records, Inc.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Superjudge" 31454 0079 4-2
- Last Train To Satansville: – Swervedriver, Duel: – Swervedriver
- Written by: Adam Franklin, Jeremy Hindmarsh, Jimmy Hartridge
- Published by: EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
- Admin. by: EMI Blackwood Music Inc. (BMI)
- Produced by: Alan Moulder, Swervedriver
- (P) 1993 A&M Records, Inc. Licensed from Creation Records Limited.
- From the A&M cassette and CD "Mezcal Head" 31454 0129 4-2
- "Duel" video (C) 1993 A&M Records, Inc. Licensed from Creation Records Limited.
- All music courtesy of A&M Records, Inc.
- Product Manager: Lisa Higgins
- Package Designer: Michael Lippert
- Documentation: Bill Scheppler
- Documentation Layout: Blair Creative Group
- Skateboarders: Dave Luoto, Nathan Walrath
- Caltrans: Andrea Smith
Magazine articles
- Main article: Road Rash (Mega-CD)/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
Physical scans
| Sega Retro Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
 |
78 |
|---|---|
| Based on 12 reviews | |
| Mega-CD, US |
|---|
  Cover
|
 Disc  Manual |
| Mega-CD, BR |
|---|
 Cover
|
Technical information
- Main article: Road Rash (Mega-CD)/Technical information.
ROM dump status
| System | Hash | Size | Build Date | Source | Comments | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
CD-ROM (US) | ||||||||||||
|
|
1995-02-11 | Has bad sectors towards the end of the image. | Page |
References
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/CWoXil6TLP0/m/C0scpRC77_IJ
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 GamePro, "May 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 56
- ↑ SuperGamePower, "Outubro 1995" (BR; 1995-xx-xx), page 13
- ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 11
- ↑ File:Road Rash MCD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Roadrash mcd us manual.pdf, page 24
- ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 117
- ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "June 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 88
- ↑ GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 5: May 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 16
- ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 6 June 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 52
- ↑ MAN!AC, "07/95" (DE; 1995-06-14), page 63
- ↑ Mega Fun, "08/95" (DE; 1995-07-19), page 71
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-04-28), page 86
- ↑ Next Generation, "June 1995" (US; 1995-05-23), page 112
- ↑ Player One, "Mai 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 103
- ↑ Sega Magazin, "August 1995" (DE; 1995-07-12), page 21
- ↑ Sega Power, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-04-20), page 58
| Road Rash (Mega-CD) | |
|---|---|
|
Main page | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information | |
| Road Rash games for Sega systems | |
|---|---|
 |
Road Rash (1991) | Road Rash II (1992) | Road Rash 3: Tour De Force (1995) |
 |
Road Rash (1994) |
 |
Road Rash (1994) |
|
Road Rash (1995) |
 |
Road Rash (1996) |
| Related games | |
|
Skitchin' (1994) | Face Plant (unreleased) |