The little big world of RC Pro AM - Originally published on 1UP - March 24, 2009

RC Pro Am is the definitive combat racing game for those that grew up with the NES as their first console. Just ask my friend Jai about his experiences and memories of the game. For those that are unfamiliar with the Rare gem from 1988, it was an isometric racing game with weapons thrown into the mix. Unlike the Sprint series where players could see the entire track RC Pro Am would scroll across the track depending on the players position. This made guessing twists, turns and obstacles very hard. It was crucial for players to learn the course or at the very least keep an eye on the map to find their position. Of course while trying to race players also had to keep an eye on opponents and fight them off with an assortment of missiles.

The game was frenetic. The racing element was hard by itself, when combined with weapons then it became insane. Like many of the classic games it was the challenge that also made it memorable. If it were difficult because of the controls then it would have been forgotten. But the control was dialed in, the graphics were as good as any other NES racer if not better and the balance amazing. Rare had truly crafted a title that was head and shoulders above many combat racers of the day. RC Pro Am predated Atari's Badlands by two years and to many, if not all, it was a superior experience. I know my friends on 1UP have much love for this game. The isometric racer has rarely been done better since. Although the racing and combat genres have all gone 3D since every now and then we see some really fun isometric racers.

The spiritual successor to RC Pro Am was created by David Jaffe and the good folks at Eat Sleep Play (former Incog Inc. and SingleTrac employees). Calling All Cars was an isometric car combat game that owed a lot to Rare's influence. They ditched the track in favor of an open world environment where players tried to return escaped prisoners back to jail. Players could use weapons on each other in an attempt to steal the ragdoll-like prisoners. It was very fast-paced with point leaders changing pace from moment to moment. The cel-shaded graphics were a nice touch, helping keep the theme light and arcade-like. If you're on PSN then you owe it to yourself to check this game out. Just talking about it makes me want to go over the cousin's house for some more matches.

The spirit of RC Pro Am continues even in the Flash game market. RC Rally is a simple racing game, no weapons in the title, but the look of this isometric racer owes a lot to Pro Am. I tool around with the game from time to time at work and wish that perhaps some day Rare might think about resurrecting the game. Of course once weapons were added to cars things would never be the same. The light hearted feel of Pro Am would give way through the grim 90's. David Jaffe and his crew defined the genre years before Calling All Cars with a dark series that was a macabre comedy. You might have heard of it, it was called Twisted Metal.

Did you ever play a classic NES, PC, or arcade car combat game? I'd like to hear about it. Let me know in the comments section please. As always if you would like to sponsor me please visit my Patreon page and consider donating each month, even as little as $1 would help make better blogs and even podcasts!