Bike racer with booklet

Rad Racer, released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), was one of the earliest and most popular arcade racers on the console. Developed by Square (yes, the later Final Fantasy studio), the game brought the thrill of high-speed racing straight into your living room - with cool cars, blistering speed and an extra dose of 80s feeling.

In Rad Racer, you get behind the wheel of a sleek sports car - either a classic 328 Twin Turbo or a Formula 1 racing car - and race through eight varied tracks, each set in a different scenery: sunny coastal roads, nocturnal cities, desert landscapes or fog-covered mountains. The aim is to reach the next stage finish within the time limit - in true Out Run style.

At the time, Rad Racer impressed with its pseudo-3D presentation thanks to the clever use of scrolling technology. The road meanders realistically through the landscape, obstacles and other vehicles appear at lightning speed and the speed is high - providing real adrenaline. A special highlight: if you wanted to, you could even play the game with Nintendo 3D glasses (Famicom 3D System) - a real curiosity at the time.

The optional radio soundtrack, which allows you to switch between different pieces of music, provides variety in Rad Racer - a charming detail that seemed surprisingly modern for the time.

The controls in Rad Racer are simple but precise: accelerate, brake, steer, swerve. But despite the simple principle, Rad Racer is anything but easy - because collisions, bends and the constantly ticking time limit demand full concentration.

Rad Racer is a fast, stylish arcade racer that provided a real racing experience on the NES. With cool cars, great driving scenery and impressive technology, it was a pioneer for many racing games that followed. Even though it is technically outdated today, it remains an entertaining retro experience - ideal for fans of classic 8-bit racing.