With graphics that put the SCD version to shame, and FMVs of grunge rock music, Road Rash on the 3DO stands on its own.
Tracks can be replayed to collect money that will allow you to buy motorcycles with superior speed and handling.
While the Sega CD version's enivronment graphics consisted of generic grass and trees, the 3DO features several well-detailed (for the 3DO) areas for you to race, many with more than one route that can be taken.
Though the Sega CD version allowed you to listen to the game's soundtrack (that features several grunge bands, notably Soundgarden) during gameplay, here they can only be heard inbetween races (where, in the "bathroom" you can save your game) at the Jukebox where you can select your song. Also, by leaving the game idle, a music video will start, with bikers battling and escaping from police to the tune of Soundgarden and a few lesser-known bands.
These grunge music-interlaced FMVs are also present after winning or losing a race, wrecking your bike (in which you will either have to pay a hefty amount to repair it, or load your last save, which is your only option if you are strapped for cash) or when being arrested, similar to the FMVs found in Need For Speed (released by the same developer) but more violent.
Another enjoyable habit inbetween races is to Schmooze with your occasionally angry fellow bikers. Aside from their remarks being humorous, the hurtful comments provide incentive to bash their skulls in when you race them.
Road Rash's gameplay, by this game's release, is well-known. Utilizing both your hands, feet, and a variety of weapons that can be stolen from other bikers when fighting them, you must race a group of diverse underground biker personalities, playing as your choice of one of the well-animated and individually complex bikers, each with their own deranged backstory (one of the female bikers is referred to as being rabid)
By pressing the acceleration button twice quickly, you can use one of a limited number of turbos (refilled automatically in each race) that will give you a boost of speed.
Along the streets, aside from your fellow bikers, are a variety of police and pedestrians, both jaywalking (yes, you can run them over) and driving (avoiding slow cars at fast speeds, as well as cliffs in the appropriate tracks, make the levels proverbial obstacle courses, but, to the unblinking eye, the roads are still relatively easy to navigate)
Aside from satisfying any virtual underground biker's desires to grab a motorcycle cop's billy club from him and beat him until he runs straight into an oncoming car (indeed, the traffic can be useful in the game) Road Rash captures in its entireity the anti-authority feel that has been watered down and sold to kids through skateboarding games (anyone can do a few board tricks on a cop car or spray graffiti, Road Rashers can beat to a pulp or outrun the police)
A standalone that has a specific feel that is missing from its remakes, Road Rash on the 3DO is a classic.
Blessed Be