Best 16-bit racing games

DigitalSpace

DigitalSpace

CAGiversary!
Feedback
2 (100%)
What are your favorite 16-bit racing games? Feel free to mention any racing games on the SNES, Genesis, TG-16, or any other 16-bit system.

Here's my list:

Rock N' Roll Racing (SNES, Genesis, also ported to GBA) - A really fun game. Plays like RC Pro-AM but the weapon system is better. And with renditions of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid," Deep Purple's "Highway Star," and the Spy Hunter theme, among others, it has the best soundtrack of the 16-bit racing games.

Super Mario Kart (SNES) - The game that started a genre. Mario Kart 64 is my personal favorite in the series, but this is what started it all, and it's really fun to play with a friend.

Biker Mice From Mars (SNES) - Did you watch this cartoon show back in the day? Neither did I. So why is this game worth owning? Well, instead of making a generic platformer or crappy beat 'em up clone like what was done with a good amount of licensed games, Konami put out a racing game. It's a cross between Rock N' Roll Racing and Super Mario Kart. Each character has their own unique advantages and attacks. The powerups are nice as well. One of the most underrated SNES games out there.

F-Zero (SNES) - The debut of Mode 7. And what a grand debut it was. My only gripe is that all of the tracks should have been available in the practice mode.

Championship Pro-AM (Genesis) - This is basically a 16-bit update to RC Pro-AM that oddly was a Genesis exclusive. Like Super Mario All-Stars, the only thing that was different from RC Pro-AM was the graphics. But since it was on the Genesis, I figured it was worth mentioning.

Outrun (Genesis) - If only I could find a copy of this. I loved playing it in the arcade.

Top Gear 3000 (SNES) - The first Top Gear was okay, but I couldn't stand that it had a split-screen in 1-player mode. Top Gear 2 suffered from awful control options. The term "three times the charm" really applies to Top Gear 3000.

Virtua Racing (Genesis) - It only has three tracks, and the graphics look a bit dated today, but Sega did a nice job bringing their arcade hit to the Genesis. I haven't played it much but I do like what I have played.

Uniracers (SNES) - Quite a unique game. Who would have thought racing unicycles would be so much fun?
 
Well, you've already listed my favorites. I have an animated series Batman game on Sega CD that was always you racing the batmobile or occasionally the batplane to catch up to escaping crooks. Harder than hell, but it had all new animated cut scenes that were very cool.
 
Final Lap Twin on the TG-16. This game had everything, story, car upgrades, and perfect control balance. I know, it looked like every other 2d sprite racer ever created, but it was lightyears ahead of anything ever made on the NES, SNES, and Genesis due to the spot on controls. I played the crap out of that game and just thinking about it puts tears in my eyes for selling my TG-16 a few years ago.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']My favorite was Mario Kart, but Road Rash should definitely be on there.[/quote]

I've never played any of the Road Rash games, that's why I didn't mention any of them. I should probably check them out sooner or later.
 
I remember spending $80.00 on that game!!

I was broke for a month after buying that game!!

The 32X version of Virtua Racing was great. The graphics were improved and there were a bunch of extra tracks.
 
[quote name='ElwoodCuse']Didn't Virtua Racing cost like 80 damn dollars when it came out?[/quote]

Yep. That came to mind when I bought a complete copy for $2.50 a few months ago. :lol:

[quote name='gaggil']I remember spending $80.00 on that game!!

I was broke for a month after buying that game!![/quote]

If only CAG were around back then... :lol:
 
F-Zero and Mario Kart were the only ones that I played. They were so good that I still play them every now and then.

I really liked Road Rash 64, but I never played the 16-bit version
 
Well you listed the good ones (Super Mario Kart, Top Gear, F-Zero, Biker Mice, and Rock&Roll Racing). Although, I liked Top Gear 2 more than 3000 :( .
 
Did anyone ever play Radical Psycho Machine (R.P.M.) Racing? It was a pretty fun game for the SNES. It played from an isometric perspective, like R.C. Pro Am. The control wasn't the best out there, but you could drop mines and oil slicks behind you and drive on ice, dirt, and pavement. There were a lot of jumps kind of like in motocross. You could upgrade your car as you went along, and there was even a track editor. I spent a lot of time with that game, more than any other racing game of that era.
 
Props to OP for listing most of them. As for Wet Ninja's pick of RPM racing, I believe that evolved into Rock & Roll Racing, which is on the original post. I liked its course editor, too.

My additions:
Stunt Race FX - Good 3D, polygonal racing for SNES
Road Rash - already said, but I must agree
Super Off-Road - nice arcade port. Multiplayer and upgradable vehicles
 
Mario Kart, Mario Kart, Mario Kart. Remember when kart racing was an original idea? This game was the best and lead to many heated battles between my friends and i.
 
Championship Pro-Am on Genesis and Super Mario Kart on SNES. Those games were just great. Way above anything else in the 16-bit era IMO. I used to play Super Mario Kart ALL the time to beat my times. Championship Pro-Am was great and it played exactly like the awesome R.C. Pro Am from the NES.

Super Off-Road was fun. I would hit the hell out of the Nitro on the last lap, lol.

Uniracers was unique. The trick aspect gave it some replayablilty.
 
I'm suprised I'm not the only one who votes for final lap twin. I still remember benson, the guy who always came in first (or second if you won), 99% of the time time in normal races. I also can't believe how they fit basically two different games on that hucard, especially with one of them being an rpg.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top