History VideoGame / RoadRash

''Road Rash'' was a series of Motorcycle racing games from Creator/ElectronicArts, starting life on the SegaGenesis in 1991, but appearing on several other systems over the next 10 years. In-universe, the races were illegal, forcing you to contend with police... as well as other riders, who usually had no problem attacking you with clubs, pipes, chains or cattle prods. Each game had several track locations, which became longer and more difficult for each level you achieved. You leveled up by getting at least 3rd or 4th place in each location, depending on the game. The goal was to amass money to buy better bikes and also be able to pay off hospital fees, repair bills and police fines. If you ever ran out of money, it was game over.

The game was notable for bringing the Z-axis and rudimentary physics to bear to both challenge and amuse the player, at a time when most other racing games barely bothered with such things. Going up hills slowed you down, while going down would cause you to accelerate... or, if you had enough speed, you'd soar through the air. In addition to the competitors and police, the player also had to watch out for oncoming traffic, animals crossing the road, and other realistic hazards. It was one of the earlier second-generation games to reward the player for doing something illegal.

While there was no plot to speak of, the game did have characters. Many of the AI were given profiles and would often give you advice or trash-talk you before or after a race.

* GoodOldFisticuffs

* CarryABigStick: Clubs are probably the most common weapons in the Genesis trilogy, and the only one available in ''Road Rash 1'' outside of [[GoodOlFisticuffs your own fists]]. The police also have 'em and use 'em.

* GoodOlFisticuffs

* EverythingBreaks: If you crash into something in Road Rash 1 and 2, the item survives intact, probably making a sound. In ''3'', most small objects have a "damaged" sprite... however, items switch to the damage sprite no matter how fast you're moving. Even if you're walking into it.

''Road Rash'' was a series of Motorcycle racing games from Creator/ElectronicArts, starting life on the SegaGenesis in 1991, but appearing on several other systems over the next 10 years. In-universe, the races were illegal, forcing you to contend with police... as well as other riders, who usually had no problem attacking you with clubs, pipes, chains or cattle prods. Each game had several track locations, which became expanded and harder for each "level" you achieved. You leveled up by getting at least 3rd or 4th place in each location. The goal was to amass money to buy better bikes and also be able to pay off hospital fees, repair bills and Police fines. If you ever ran out of money, it was game over.

* RegeneratingHealth: Life bars usually fill up immediately after taking damage. If the player is knocked off the bike in ''2'' or ''3''', the life bar is automatically filled once the bike is touched.

!!This game contains examples of...

* BikerBabe: Natasha most notably.
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience: In the Genesis titles. Everyone else is dressed in the same color... except you. The color of everyone else also tells you what level you're on.

* PasswordSave: In the first three games, provided at the end of each race. The password saved your race placements and your cash.
** ''Road Rash 1'''s passwords were 20 characters long and included alphanumeric characters and symbols. This password was also given immediately after the race, but before being promoted to the next level - if you use that password, you have to redo any of the races before advancing, but you can still use that to get extra money.
** ''Road Rash 2'' and ''3'''s passwords were eight characters long and reduced to only alphanumeric characters (numbers and letters). The promotion to the next level was done immediately after winning the race in a qualifying position, indicated by the post-race cutscene. Passwords were given on the Options screen of the main menu.

* AssumedWin: The AI will sometimes start doing their victory pose before they cross the finish line... making it it all the more sweeter if you pass them at the last second and take first place away from them....

* NintendoHard: ''Road Rash 1'' had very curvy tracks; a very high car appearance rate (though only two are allowed on screen for every five seconds, but this was utilized to full effect); and cops who would ram into you very hard, guaranteeing you being knocked off your bike and getting arrested if they connect. On top of this, there was no nitrous boost button, and the lead bikers were [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard exceptionally skilled]]. Aiming for first place in Level 5? Good luck.

** ''Road Rash 1'''s passwords were 20 characters long and included numerous symbols. This password was also given immediately after the race, but before being promoted to the next level - if you use that password, you have to redo any of the races before advancing, but you can still use that to get extra money.
** ''Road Rash 2'' and ''3'''s passwords were eight characters long and reduced to only alphanumeric characters (numbers and letters). The promotion to the next level was done immediately after winning the race in a qualifying position, indicated by the cutscene. Passwords were given on the Options screen of the main menu.

* EndlessGame: When you beat Level 5 on the original ''Road Rash'' game on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, you get to play Level 5 again! And again... and again... forever. The same goes for ''Road Rash III: Tour de Force''. ''Road Rash II'' actually has an ending after level 5, which is [[spoiler: a fight against all the cops... and then the game crashes]].

** Averted in ''Road Rash II''.

** ''Road Rash 1'''s passwords were 20 characters long and included numerous symbols. This password was also given before being promoted to the next level - if you use that password, you have to redo any of the races before advancing, but you can still use that to get extra money.
** ''Road Rash 2'' and ''3'''s passwords were eight characters long and reduced to only alphanumeric characters (numbers and letters). The promotion to the next level was done immediately after winning the race in a qualifying position, indicated by the cutscene.

* PasswordSave: In the first game, provided at the end of each race. This password is given before being promoted to the next level - if you use that password, you have to redo any of the races before advancing, but you can still use that to get extra money.

* HelloInsertNameHere: With "Player 1/2" as the default.

''Road Rash'' was a series of Motorcycle racing games from ElectronicArts, starting life on the SegaGenesis in 1991, but appearing on several other systems over the next 10 years. In-universe, the races were illegal, forcing you to contend with police... as well as other riders, who usually had no problem attacking you with clubs, pipes, chains or cattle prods. Each game had several track locations, which became expanded and harder for each "level" you achieved. You leveled up by getting at least 3rd or 4th place in each location. The goal was to amass money to buy better bikes and also be able to pay off hospital fees, repair bills and Police fines. If you ever ran out of money, it was game over.

* AssumedWin: The Ai will sometimes start doing their victory pose before they cross the finish line... making it it all the more sweeter if you pass them at the last second and take first place away from them....

* GoddamnBats: Pretty much anything else in the road besides you and the other racers. Whether it be a sign, an oncoming car, a cow... or a bit of cow MANURE which causes you to spin out.

* VideoGameCaringPotential: Some characters can be your friend and give you advice if you wouldn't try to beat them during the races.

* ItsAWonderfulFailure: The game has cutscenes not just for completing the race, but for wrecking your bike or getting busted. Some classics include paramedics retrieving your bike while leaving you injured on the side of the road, getting chased down by police dogs, stumbling onto the road in the path of a semi, and getting tossed in the trunk of a police cruiser.

* SecondPlaceIsForLosers: Averted, since you only need to place 4th or better on each track.

* HammerSpace: A cutscene in one of the later games has a cop searching you, finding iron knuckles... a chain... a club... and a SHOTGUN which would have been impossible for you to carry. This is of course down to RuleOfFunny.

The game was notable for bringing the Z-axis and rudimentary physics to bear to both challenge and amuse the player, at a time when most other racing games barely bothered with such things. Going up hills slowed you down, while going down would cause you to accelerate... or, if you had enough speed, you'd soar through the air. In addition to the competitors and police, the player also had to watch out for oncoming traffic, animals crossing the road, and other realistic hazards.

* Hammerspace: A cutscene in one of the later games has a cop searching you, finding iron knuckles... a chain... a club... and a SHOTGUN which would have been impossible for you to carry.

* AssumedWin: The Ai sill sometimes start doing their victory pose before they cross the finish line... making it it all the more sweeter if you pass them at the last second and take first place away from them....