Road Rash was a godsend for game-starved 3DO owners when it was first released onto that system. It featured then-amazing graphics and sound, and gameplay tight enough to impress fans of both racing and beating the tar out of opponents. On the Sega Saturn, however, few things have changed, and Road Rash will seem utterly stale for those who've been playing it for years. There is no doubt that it's a good game, but is it good enough to port to a next-generation system when the game is already several years old?

That answer depends on your perspective. If you're one of the few people who's never experienced the gameplay of Road Rash in any of its forms, there's a strong chance that you'll enjoy this title quite a lot. It has plenty to offer in terms of gameplay and the series' concept is original. But for the innumerable others who've done their time with the game on the Genesis and 3DO, the game's lack of enhancements will leave players unimpressed.

The concept of Road Rash is pretty simple -- race around one of the five tracks, avoiding traffic and beating opponent bike riders. Outrun the motorcycle cops to cross the finish line first and win the cash. Use said cash to buy upgrade and better bikes, moving on to higher difficulty levels and versions of the five different tracks that are longer and more complicated. Repeat until you get tired of playing.

The only real additions to this version of the game are some humorous full-motion video cut-scenes and clearer graphics. Unfortunately, that means that the game is still rendered in a dated 2D style. This causes some massive pixilation to occur more often than you'd like. The bikers also animate poorly, and the impression that this game is old is definitely earned. Despite some of the visuals being a bit crisper, they're still very unimpressive and bland.

On the other side of things, the controls are still extremely tight, and the game is definitely fun for a few go-rounds. The tracks aren't varied enough, though, and soon, that sinking feeling that it's the same game it's always been will sink in, leaving most players with a desire to play something a little more advanced.

The sound is strong, at the very least, and it sports a decent enough soundtrack. Unfortunately, most of that soundtrack, by bands like Soundgarden and Therapy? are regulated to the menu portions, while generic rock blares during gameplay. But the sound effects are strong, and the Dolby Surround capabilities make for an impressive aural experience.

In the end, Road Rash is still a good game and will appeal to gamers who appreciate motorcycle racing. At least to those who haven't played the game before. Unfortunately, the lack of updates severely hurts the title, making it an unwise purchase for anyone who's already had their fill of Road Rash. ~ Jon Thompson, All Game Guide

Unfortunately, the lack of variety in the tracks and the dated gameplay, plus the fact that this is only single-player, cripples the replay that Road Rash supposedly has to offer. ~ Jon Thompson, All Game Guide