Family Friendly

1992-01-01

R.C. Pro-Am is a racing video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo in North America in February 1988, and then in Europe on April 15. Presented in an overhead isometric perspective, a single player races a radio-controlled car around a series of tracks in vehicular combat. Each track qualifies its top three racers for the next track. Collectible power-up items improve performance, hazards include rain puddles and oil slicks, and missiles and bombs can temporarily disable opponents. Originally titled Pro Am Racing, it was ported to the Sega Genesis in 1992 as Championship Pro-Am, an enhanced remake with enhanced graphics and additional features. R.C. Pro-Am spawned two sequels: Super R.C. Pro-Am in 1991, and R.C. Pro-Am II in 1992.

As one of Rare’s first successful NES games, R.C. Pro-Am was well-received for its visuals, sound, gameplay, and enjoyability. Its overhead perspective distinguishes it from earlier first-person racing games. It inspired subsequent games such as Super Off Road, Rock n’ Roll Racing, and the Mario Kart series. It has appeared in many ”top games of all time” lists and is regarded as one of the best of the NES library. It was re-released in Rare’s 2015 Rare Replay compilation for the Xbox One.

Gameplay:

R.C. Pro-Am is a racing video game in which a player races a radio-controlled car against three opponents around a track from an overhead isometric perspective. The horizontal control pad buttons steer left or right, and the other buttons accelerate, fire weapons, and pause the game. Across 32 tracks, the top three of four racers qualify for each next race or reach a game over. Two continues can restart the previous race, losing all points. Each track gives a trophy, and a high score yields larger ”High Score Trophies”, leading up to the ”Super Trophy”.

Twelve unique track configurations are repeated indefinitely. The original box art claims that the game contains ”32 tracks of racing thrills” but the 24th track is unofficially the last because it is the largest. Each track after 24 is a repeat from track 1, but with additional features. At track 32, all computer-controlled opponents run at maximum speed and cannot be beaten without weapons. The game has no formal end; players eventually run out of weapons and are eliminated from the race.

Track items are collectable by driving over them. ”Tune-up items” include turbo acceleration, ”hotter engines” for higher top speed, and ”super sticky tires” for traction and cornering; these additional abilities are displayed on the ”track conditions” screen between races. : 6  Collectable weapons can temporarily disable other vehicles; missiles stop opponents from the front, and bombs from the rear. Collectable ammunition appears as a star, and carries over to the next race. : 8  Collectable roll cages protect cars from crash damage, : 8  stationary zippers give cars an extra speed boost, and bonus letters give large point bonuses and an upgraded car when collecting all of ”NINTENDO” (”CHAMPION” in the Rare Replay version). The standard truck upgrades to a faster 4-Wheeler and then to the fastest Off Roader. : 7  Hazards include oil slicks which spin cars out of control, water puddles and rain squalls slow them down, pop-up barriers crash cars, and skulls decrease ammunition. Excessive use of projectile weaponry makes the yellow car accelerate to 127 mph, which cannot be matched by the player.

The Sega Genesis version, Championship Pro-Am, features some gameplay differences from the NES version. Players race against five other vehicles instead of three, but must still place in the top three to move to the next track. Race records are saved, and players are prompted to enter a name before the game start.

Background and release:

The game development company Ultimate Play the Game was founded by brothers Tim and Chris Stamper, along with Tim’s wife, Carol, from their headquarters in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in 1982. They began producing video games for the ZX Spectrum throughout the early 1980s. The company was known for secrecy about operations and upcoming projects. Little was known except that they worked in ”separate teams”: one team worked on programming and the other concentrated on other aspects such as sound or graphics. This company later evolved into Rare, which in 1987 developed Pro-Am Racing and renamed it to R.C. Pro-Am.[10]

It was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) by Nintendo in February 1988 in North America, and in Europe on April 15. It was converted to the Sega Genesis as Championship Pro-Am, released by Tradewest in 1992. Its music was composed by David Wise, known for his work on Cobra Triangle and the Donkey Kong Country series.

R.C. Pro-Am is subject to preview coverage in the Fall 1987 issue of Nintendo Fun Club News – the company’s predecessor to Nintendo Power. A more in-depth review in the proceeding Winter 1987 issue said that ”this game is a must for RC Car (radio-controlled) owners”. It is the cover feature of the February–March 1988 issue, with a full walkthrough. In Nintendo Power’s premiere issue in July 1988, R.C. Pro-Am is listed 6th on its ”Top 30” NES games list, and as the top ”Dealer’s Pick”. It went down to the 8th position in September 1988, and 12th in November.

Sega Genesis (Mega Drive)

Tradewest

031719209231

1

United States

16-bit

Memory Card

Thick Snap Case

~$18.98

2024-08-24

2018-07-03 12:58:12