In the current generation of gaming, where almost every classic game of the past thirty years has gotten a reboot/re-imagining/HD Remix, there are very few legendary titles that are still in need of an update.  Double Dragon comes to mind, as do Paperboy, Missile Command, and Strider.  Perhaps more anticipated than any of these, however, is a remake of Road Rash, EA’s seminal motorcycle combat game.  Since the game was released for the Sega Genesis in 1991, it has seen ports to seven different platforms, and been featured in the PSP compilation, EA Replay, but hasn’t been updated in any way since 1999. 

The good news is that Superannuation has uncovered some footage that will warm the hearts and quicken the pulses of Road Rash fans.  The bad news is that Destructoid seems to think it’s all leading to a big fat disappointment.

Obviously, this is early footage of EA Warrington’s current-gen version of Road Rash, and, despite it being VERY early footage, it looks like it will retain the spirit and violence of the original, while bringing the visuals and gameplay into the modern era.  Wrestling an opponent away from his bike while still flying down the highway is just plain awesome, and I can’t wait to see what it looks like while whipping through busy traffic.  Likewise, the ability to grab street signs is a new one, but one that feels like it should have been in the game from the get-go.  All in all, this thing looks bad-to-the-ass.

Which makes Destructoid’s comment about the video as disheartening as it is vague;

“I'm being told this game may actually have been canceled.”

Not sure who’s telling them that, but man; do I ever hope that guy’s a liar.