Road Rash (1994 video game)

Road Rash
North American 3DO box art
Developers
  • Monkey Do Productions (3DO, SCD)
  • Buzz Puppet Productions (PS, SAT, PC)
PublisherElectronic Arts
DirectorKeith McCurdy
ProducerRandy Breen
Designers
  • Randy Breen
  • Lori Washbon
Programmers
  • Randy Dillon
  • Dan Hewitt
  • David Stokes
  • Emmanuel Berriet
ArtistJeff Smith
Writers
  • David Luoto
  • Jamie Poolos
ComposerDon Veca
SeriesRoad Rash
Platforms3DO, Sega CD, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows
Release
July 1994
  • 3DO
    • NA: July 1994
    • EU: 1994
    Sega CD
    • NA: March 1995
    PlayStation
    • NA: February 1996
    • EU: 1996
    Saturn
    • NA: June 26, 1996
    • EU: July 26, 1996
    Windows
    • NA: September 27, 1996
    • EU: September 1996
GenresRacing, vehicular combat
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Road Rash is a 1994 racing/vehicular combat video game originally published by Electronic Arts (EA) for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. A version for the Sega CD was developed simultaneously and released in 1995 to act as a "bridge" between the 3DO version and the Sega Genesis title Road Rash 3, and the game was subsequently ported to the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows in 1996. The game is the third installment in the Road Rash series, and 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 arrival of fifth-generation game consoles influenced EA to incorporate character sprites digitized from real-life actors, 25 minutes of live-action full-motion video footage and a soundtrack primarily consisting of licensed grunge music courtesy of A&M Records, including Soundgarden, Monster Magnet, and Swervedriver. Road Rash was released to critical acclaim and commercial success, with reviewers commending the 3DO version's advanced visuals and grunge-based soundtrack. Reception to the ports was more middling, as they were considered dated by the time of their release.