Alien Retro Gamer 
Rock n Roll Racing
If you’re both a rock music fan and a gamer, you’ve likely encountered Rock n’ Roll Racing, a classic that stands out for its adrenaline-pumping soundtrack featuring rock and heavy metal legends like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Steppenwolf. Originally hitting the Super Nintendo (SNES) on June 4, 1993, and later the Mega Drive, the game is now also available on modern platforms like PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
The Making of Rock n’ Roll Racing
Blizzard, known for titles like Diablo and World of Warcraft, created Rock n’ Roll Racing when the company was still called Silicon & Synapse. Initially intended as a follow-up to RPM Racing, the game took a new direction once Interplay, its distributor, secured the rights to use licensed rock and metal songs. This new soundtrack inspired a total redesign, transforming it into Rock n’ Roll Racing and redefining it as a “spiritual successor” to RPM Racing.
One interesting twist was Blizzard’s initial plan to make the game ZZ Top’s Racing, starring the iconic band. But as co-founder Allen Adham explained, it soon became clear this would be too costly, so they moved on from the idea. The development team, a tight-knit group of just 10, thrived in an enthusiastic environment. Team member Bob Fitch recalled joining because of a “Toxic Waste Lover” t-shirt he wore, which made him seem like a great fit for the team’s vibe.
Allen Adham also shared how Rock n’ Roll Racing influenced him personally—he played it so much during development that he found himself fantasizing about skidding at intersections and shooting missiles at slow drivers on the road.
Gameplay and Storyline
Rock n’ Roll Racing is a combat racing game where players aim not just to win races but to disable opponents’ vehicles. Each car is armed with an array of weapons—lasers, oil slicks, and more. Set in a futuristic universe, the game brings humans and aliens together in intense, rock-driven races across planets. Samwise Didier, one of Blizzard’s famed designers, later commented on the thematic shift this game represented for Blizzard. Going beyond simple race tracks, it took players through alien worlds with aliens and heavy artillery, a decision that would shape the studio’s future commitment to blending fantasy, sci-fi, and horror across all its games.
To progress, players must win races and earn points, eventually unlocking new planets to compete on. Between races, players can upgrade their cars, customizing weapons, body armor, and tires to enhance their odds.
The Unforgettable Soundtrack
Of course, Rock n’ Roll Racing wouldn’t be the same without its soundtrack, which includes:
- “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood and the Destroyers
- “Highway Star” by Deep Purple
- “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
- “Peter Gunn” (Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s version)
- “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
- “Radar Love” by Golden Earring, exclusively on the Mega Drive.
Some character designs were also drawn from the rock world. Racer Snaker Sanders, for example, was inspired by David Coverdale of Whitesnake, while Jake Badlands pays homage to guitarist Jake E. Lee, who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands. The character Cyberhawk nods to Judas Priest’s Screaming for Vengeance album cover art.
Fun Facts and Legacy
- Rock n’ Roll Racing was probably influenced by R.C. Pro-Am, a 1988 release from Rare that also featured isometric track perspectives and vehicle combat.
- In 1997, Red Asphalt, which was marketed as Rock & Roll Racing 2 in Europe, extended the franchise’s legacy on the PlayStation 1.
- The Russian developer Yard Team later created a 3D remake called Motor Rock, released for free online after soundtrack licensing conflicts.
- Rock n’ Roll Racing has a secret character, Olaf, one of the stars of Blizzard’s The Lost Vikings, which also has a fun crossover cameo, with the villain Tormator playing the racing game in one scene.
Through its rock soundtrack, creative characters, and intense gameplay, Rock n’ Roll Racing has earned its place in gaming history as a cult favorite among fans of high-octane, music-driven games.
