Road Rash (1991 video game)

Not to be confused with Road Rash (1994 video game).

Road Rash
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Carl Mey
Producer(s)Randy Breen
Designer(s)
  • Randy Breen
  • Dan Geisler
  • Walter Stein
Programmer(s)
  • Dan Geisler
  • Walter Stein
  • Carl Mey
Artist(s)
  • Arthur Koch
  • Peggy Brennan
  • Connie Braat
Composer(s)
  • Rob Hubbard (GEN)
  • Jason A.S. Whitely (AMI)
  • Greg Michael (GG, SMS)
SeriesRoad Rash
Platform(s)Sega Genesis, Amiga, Master System, Game Gear, Game Boy
ReleaseSega Genesis
  • NA: September 1991
Amiga
  • EU: December 1992
Master System, Game Gear
  • NA: March 1994
Game Boy
  • NA: June 1994
Genre(s)Racing, vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Road Rash is a 1991 racing and vehicular combat video game originally developed and published by Electronic Arts (EA) for the Sega Genesis. It was subsequently ported to a variety of contemporary systems by differing companies. The game 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.

Road Rash was one of the first games conceived by EA following the company's decision to begin developing games internally. The game's programmers Dan Geisler and Carl Mey were hired by EA to create a banked road effect for Mario Andretti Racing, then being developed as an NES title. When the NES hardware proved incapable of rendering the desired effect, focus shifted to a motorcycle racing game for the more powerful Sega Genesis. The game includes combat elements that were inspired by the violent behavior of Grand Prix motorcyclists during races, and the resulting uncertainty surrounding the game's genre created conflict between EA's development team and management.

Road Rash was released to critical and commercial success, and was EA's most profitable title to date. The original version for the Sega Genesis was particularly acclaimed for its violent and aggressive gameplay and the convincing sense of speed in its graphics. The game is the debut installment of the Road Rash series, and was followed by a number of sequels made for various consoles.