Sometimes doing these historical articles we come across a tidbit of information that is not widely known.  Sure, the hardcore of the hardcore know it but for the most part, the average fan will learn something new.  One such tidbit is that this game was originally planned as the sequel to RPM Racing.  I knew the two shared similar viewpoints but I never put two and two together and come up with Rock n Roll Racing.  Maybe I am off in my thinking on this.

Rock n Roll Racing will never die

Developed by Silicon & Synapse, who later became Blizzard Entertainment, Rock n Roll Racing accentuates what most loved about the Super Nintendo.  The sound chip.  Sony did good by Nintendo when they designed that bad boy.  Interplay’s marketing department took that ball and ran with it when they licensed the music for this title.

Should have been on CD

Being on cartridge kind of limits the reproductions of the licensed music, what is there is easily recognizable.  It is not just the music that the SNES version used the sound chip for.  There is an announcer that has more than a few phrases that he spews as you play- either motivating you or demeaning you.  He doesn’t care which.

Rock n Roll Racing was a sequel

Many fans may remember an earlier title that shared a similar viewpoint.  RC Pro-Am on the Nintendo Entertainment System.  Rock n Roll Racing is like RC Pro-Am all grown up, with rock music and a smart ass announcer.  Gone are the bebop music tracks, cutesy graphics and little remote controlled cars, replaced with bigger badder versions.

Mini RPG components

As you win races you earn money and can upgrade your car to win more races.  The basics of a great game are there.  We have seen the Super Nintendo game ported to the Sega Genesis, with lower quality music and sound effects, and to the Game Boy Advance (with much better results).  There was also a sequel on the Sony PlayStation- Red Asphalt.  Blizzard have released a version on their online network, Battle.net, in 2014.

Grab a physical copy on eBay or Amazon and rock out.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams