My Played Video Games Review: Championship Pro-Am for the Sega Genesis

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Championship Pro-Am is a racing video game ported to the Sega Genesis in 1992. It was originally known as R.C. Pro-Am on the Nintendo NES. It was developed by Rare in 1988.

This racing game was fun and unique because it was in overhead isometric view. And it featured radio-controlled toy cars instead of simulating some real cars.

The Story

And the racing hype lives on...If you are looking for a fast and furious racing competition, CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM is that game!

Go round and screech through 24 exhilarating levels of racing challenge. The tracks get dangerous as water, oil slicks, instant walls, and 5 fierce competitors try to do you in.

Pick up that TURBO, TOP SPEED, and STICKY TIRE upgrades to give you that nice edge. And if you are a real hotshot, there are MISSILES and BOMBS to help even the odds. Pick up them BONUS LETTERS on the track to spell out to further enhance your racer.

Are you good enough to get the points, trophies, and track records it takes to be a CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM racer?

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

Graphically, this game is a big improvement over the NES original. There are multiple shades of color for the vehicles, and shadows as well. Plus, there is increased detail in the track and the tracks' surroundings. Also, the isometric overhead perspective works as well as it ever did for this game, with some newly-added details helping to compliment the perspective, which is usually used to give up graphical quality. In this case, the graphics are great, and the perspective used makes the game easy to play.

The music in the game has been improved in a good way. The classic and catchy music from the original NES game has been made a bit louder. The sound effects have been touched up too with some impact.

A gameplay video sample of Championship Pro-Am

The Gameplay

Gameplay is simple: you drive a car around many tracks, trying to finish in third place or better on each course so that you continue to the next. The number of laps is varied. So does the shape of a course, but there are usually around 3 laps and there are 6 different course patterns.

To win, you must make good use of your weapons, and of the trackside things as well. You actually have to use some brains to win in this game, and be able to bag a collection of trophies. The need for actual skill is what keeps this game still good to this day.

This Sega Genesis version got good controls as well. They are as responsive as ever, and thanks to the Sega controller being easier to hold for longer periods of time. Coupled that with good replay value and you got yourself a collectible retro game.

My Verdict

R.C. Pro Am is a game that can be played anytime you feel like it. It is always a blast to play. And this version is the one to go to rather than the Nintendo NES version.

Go ahead. Play R.C. Pro Am on the unsinkable Sega Genesis/Mega Drive or play it on an easy emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!