Combat Cars is a top-down vehicular combat racing game developed by Accolade for the Sega Genesis in 1994. In this game, players compete in races against other drivers while engaging in intense combat using various weapons and power-ups to disable their opponents and gain the upper hand. The game features a selection of vehicles, each with unique stats like speed, handling, and armor, as well as special weapon abilities, giving players a variety of strategic options.

Set in a dystopian, futuristic world, Combat Cars focuses on fast-paced, destructive gameplay across multiple tracks with obstacles and hazards, adding to the challenge. Players can choose from several characters, each with their own vehicle and special weapon, such as rockets, mines, and machine guns. In both single-player and two-player split-screen modes, players navigate the track, avoid or attack rivals, and aim to finish in first place.

The objective is not just to win races but to outlast and outgun opponents. The mix of racing with vehicular combat gives Combat Cars a unique arcade-style feel, appealing to fans of both racing and action genres.

Combat Cars was developed by Accolade and released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, during a time when the popularity of combat-racing games was on the rise. The game was part of a larger trend in the early ’90s, where developers blended racing mechanics with combat elements, inspired by titles like Spy Hunter and later games such as Twisted Metal and Rock n’ Roll Racing.

At its core, Combat Cars was designed to leverage the hardware capabilities of the Sega Genesis, with a simple yet engaging gameplay style that mixed racing with fast-paced combat. It used a top-down view for the races, similar to the style seen in classic arcade games, aiming to give players a mix of tactical combat and driving skills. The game’s setting in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world also aligned with the popularity of dystopian themes in media at the time.

The development team at Accolade focused on creating a variety of vehicles with different stats and unique weapons, enhancing replayability and offering players different strategic approaches to each race. This variety was one of the key elements in its design, as each vehicle’s stats (speed, handling, and armor) combined with its specific weapons allowed for varied gameplay. This variety was essential for the game’s two-player mode, which aimed to foster competitive play on the same console.

Though Combat Cars wasn’t as commercially successful as some of its peers, it has remained a nostalgic title for Sega Genesis enthusiasts. It provided a foundation for later games in the combat-racing genre, standing out as a title that balanced strategic vehicle choices with dynamic, weapon-based action.

In Combat Cars, players navigate through a series of top-down races that combine traditional racing with combat mechanics. Players can choose from several unique characters, each with a distinct vehicle and specialized weapons, such as homing rockets, mines, or machine guns. These weapons are essential for slowing down opponents and gaining an edge, as finishing in the top positions is the main goal. Along the way, players can pick up power-ups and items on the track to boost their performance or hinder other racers.

Each track has its own layout, filled with sharp turns, obstacles, and hazards, requiring players to balance skillful driving with strategic use of weapons. The controls are straightforward, with players steering, accelerating, and firing weapons to stay competitive. Combat Cars includes a single-player mode against AI opponents, as well as a two-player split-screen mode, allowing friends to race and battle against each other on the same console.

Reception

Upon its release, Combat Cars received mixed reviews. Some players appreciated its fun, competitive two-player mode and the variety of characters and weapons, which added depth to the gameplay. The combination of racing and combat mechanics was well-received by fans of arcade-style games and was seen as a fresh twist on the racing genre.

However, the game was also criticized for its limited graphical detail, repetitive sound effects, and lack of depth in level design. Compared to similar games on the market, Combat Cars struggled to stand out in a crowded genre. The top-down perspective, though classic, felt dated by 1994, when players were beginning to expect more visually advanced, 3D-rendered racing games. As a result, while it garnered a niche fanbase, Combat Cars didn’t achieve the commercial success of other games in the genre, such as Rock n’ Roll Racing.

Over time, Combat Cars has remained a modestly appreciated title among Sega Genesis enthusiasts, gaining some nostalgic value as a classic example of early ’90s combat-racing games. Its straightforward gameplay and the appeal of weaponized racing make it a memorable, if underrated, entry in the genre.