Rad Racer (1987) - Square’s Classic NES Racing Game | Video Games Over Time

Welcome back to Video Games Over Time! I’m ballerscuba, and today we’re continuing our journey through 1987 with a look at Rad Racer, one of the earliest console racing titles from Square. Before global hits like Final Fantasy, Square was still finding its footing—and Rad Racer was part of that journey. Designed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, programmed by Nasir Gebelli, and featuring music by Nobuo Uematsu, this ambitious racing game pushed the limits of the NES with fast-paced gameplay and even a 3D mode. In this episode: 📜 The early history of Square and the road to Rad Racer 🏎️ A breakdown of gameplay, mechanics, and its 3D feature 🎮 A playthrough of the game 🔍 A modern review — does it still hold up today? 🌍 The legacy of Rad Racer and its place in gaming history Originally released in 1987 (as Highway Star in Japan), Rad Racer stood out for its sense of speed and arcade-style racing—though not without criticism for repetition. If you enjoy retro racing games, NES classics, or deep dives into gaming history, you’re in the right place. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Video Games Over Time! 🔸👉Stay Connected with my social media👇👇 🔸Instagram:   / ballerscuba   🔸Patreon:   / ballerscuba   #RadRacer #NES #RetroGaming #RacingGames #Square #GamingHistory #FullPlaythrough #ClassicGames #VideoGamesOverTime #Famicom 0:00 Intro 0:13 Rad Racer Backstory 3:50 Rad Racer Gameplay 19:09 Rad Racer Modern Review 23:44 Rad Racer Impact and Legacy 24:33 Outro