Editing Rad Racer (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| CVG = 80%<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40<ref name="FamHS" />
| rev1 = ''Family Computer Magazine''
| rev1Score = 20.89 of 30<ref name="FamHS" />
}}

''Rad Racer'' was met with favorable reviews, enjoyed commercial success, and sold 1.96 million copies.<ref name="Next Generation p. 89" /><ref name="racing2" /> It also ranked 8th on ''[[Nintendo Power]]'''s player's poll ''Top 30''.<ref name="bNtW9" /> ''[[Famitsu]]'' praised the sense of speed but felt the game was slightly monotonous.<ref name="FamHS" /> Japanese publication ''Family Computer Magazine'' applauded the variety of game landscapes found in different levels.<ref name="crossreview8" /> British magazine ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' called it an "extremely playable racing game" and said "things get very fast and competitive as you get further into the game."<ref name="CVG"/>

Retrospective reviews gave the title a more mixed reception. Skyler Miller of ''[[GameSpot]]'', in his article ''The History of Square'', commented that the game bears more than a passing resemblance to ''[[Out Run]]''," but went on to say that "it's more than just a clone" and credited the game with "effectively convey[ing] the proper sense of speed."<ref name="interviews" /> He continued to criticize the 3D effect, stating it created some sense of depth to the gameplay but was hindered by a pronounced screen flickering.<ref name="interviews" /> He concluded that the game does not require 3D features and that it stands on its own as a "fine racing game".<ref name="interviews" /> Craig Harris of ''[[IGN]]'' stated in his retrospective that the game's simplicity and "race or die" focus make it one of the best racing games of its time.<ref name="3D" /> He also mentioned how the power glove does not improve player control, though felt the experience was still fun.<ref name="3D" /> ''Hardcore Gaming 101''’s Jeremy Peeples and Neil Foster praised the game's sense of speed and arcade levels of difficulty, but criticized the lack of personality and faulty collision physics.<ref name="cores" /><ref name="drift" />

''Rad Racer'' was ranked number 57 on ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Top 100 Nintendo Entertainment System games and was called "iconic" and one of the NES's premier racing games.<ref name="ign" /> ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' included the game amongst thirteen others in their greatest 8-bit video games of all time list.<ref name="AzYtE" />

===Legacy===
Due to most of ''Rad Racer''{{'s}} sales being from the United States, ''Rad Racer II'' was developed and released only in North America for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] and the arcade.<ref name="racing2" /><ref name="arcadia" /><ref name="interviews" /> The sequel featured eight new tracks and new music but similar gameplay.<ref name="new" /> ''Hardcore Gamer 101'' said that steering was looser than the first game and rival cars more aggressive, leading to a less enjoyable playing experience.<ref name="racing2" /> Despite the efforts of Square to make unique games with 3D features such as ''Rad Racer'' and ''[[3-D Worldrunner]]'', and high sales, the company was in financial trouble.<ref name="legacy" /> These events are what led to a final attempt at a breakout hit, ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]''.<ref name="legacy" /> ''Rad Racer'' appeared in a scene in the movie ''[[The Wizard (1989 film)|The Wizard]]''.<ref name="wizard" /> It was also one of three games, including ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[Tetris (NES video game)|Tetris]]'', featured at the 1990 [[Nintendo World Championship]] with an exclusive racing level to complete as one of the rounds of competition.<ref name="beat" /> The limited-edition release of the game's cartridge used in the tournament is now one of the rarest and most valuable Nintendo games available.<ref name="champion" />