I love Road Rash II

It was released on 1992 for the Mega Drive and I had a friend who owned a copy. I'd not played the original and didn't even know it existed until I went round his house one time and discovered it.

All these years later, it's still an awesome game

However like many of the games from that era, I think it looks and plays best on a CRT. Which is why I like to have my Analogue Pocket using an HDMI to composite converter to give that warm soft CRT image.

Of course it's better played with an original controller, which is why I'll also sometimes whip out my Mega Drive Mini for a much more authentic experience.

Anyway - I'm getting ahead of myself. Why do I love it so much?

Mainly of course it's the game play.

In those days it was quite rare to play a motorbike game, let alone one with combat, let alone one that ran at such a smooth frame rate.

It also features variable terrain heights which provides the ability to jump and get some massive air. Especially if you've got a bike with a nitro feature. Nothing beats that feeling of flying through the air, doubly so if you manage to nail the landing. 

The bikes all have a realistic weight to them which comes across in their acceleration and general handling. If you bash into another bike, it feels as you'd expect it to. 

Also the combat feels raw and messy, which makes it even more satisfying when you pull off a solid impact and knock someone off their bike.

However there's another part of the game which I love as much as the gameplay

It's the excellent and timeless music from the legendary Rob Hubbard and Don Veca along with sound effects by Tony Berkeley

The Mega Drive excels at soundtracks with guitar sounds, which is very much what Road Rash II consists of

I often find myself humming some of the tracks when I'm zooming downhill on my bike. It just brings back those memories and it feels very appropriate. 

I want to call out Dean Harris who I discovered on YouTube has recreated the whole Road Rash II sound track which is available to purchase. I was very happy to reward his hard work by picking up a copy which I've burnt onto a CD to enjoy in the car.