Hey EA! Bring Back Road Rash

Reboot This! My Plea for a New Road Rash

Remember those glory days when game developers seemed obsessed with rebooting classic franchises? We got Fallout, Deus Ex, Syndicate, SSX… even Golden Axe and NBA Jam got a fresh coat of paint. Some were awesome, others… not so much.

But amidst all this nostalgia-fueled frenzy, there’s one legendary racing game that’s been criminally overlooked: Road Rash.

Seriously, this game had it all. Diverse tracks, unique bikes, insane jumps, bone-crunching crashes, high speeds, close calls, FMV cops, and the sheer joy of bashing opponents with a baseball bat (or stealing theirs and returning the favor). It was a blast solo or with friends, and even just watching others play was entertaining.

The games were critically acclaimed back in the day, with the 3DO version even snagging “Best Driving Game” from Electronic Gaming Monthly in 1994. Speaking of which, if (or rather, when) a reboot happens, it NEEDS to follow in the footsteps of Road Rash 3DO. As a longtime fan, that version still holds a special place in my heart.

So, here’s my wish list for the Road Rash reboot of my dreams:

• Revamped Classics: All the classic tracks, rebuilt in glorious HD.
• Airborne Antics: Massive jumps everywhere, with hidden “super jumps” just off the main road.
• Off-Road Excursions: Let us venture off the beaten path a bit, but not too much (keep the core gameplay intact). Add some fun obstacles and hazards for those who dare to stray.
• Track Editor: Let the community create and share their own crazy tracks.
• Bike Bonanza: Tons of bikes, each with unique handling and upgradeable parts.
• Rival Riders: 15-20 opponents with distinct racing styles and personalities. Make an enemy, and they’ll remember you.
• FMV Fun: Bring back those cheesy (but awesome) FMV cutscenes with cops trying to bust up the races.
• Weapon Variety: An arsenal of weapons, from chains to clubs to crowbars.
• Cinematic Crashes: Wrecks so spectacular they deserve their own slow-motion replays.
• The Long Walk Back: Keep the tradition of having to run back to your bike after a crash (and the opportunity to run over your fallen foes).
• Online Mayhem: Multiplayer racing with all the chaos you’d expect.
• Ghost Racing: Download and race against your friends’ best times, even offline.
• Engaging Campaign: A story mode that lasts 8-10 hours, with fun intros, character bios, and race endings.

Okay, I know, I’m probably dreaming here. But a gamer can dream, can’t he?

What do you think? Is it time for Road Rash to make a comeback?

(P.S. Yes, I wrote this years ago for an old site. But my passion for Road Rash – and the desperate need for a reboot – hasn’t faded one bit!)